THE DISAGREEABLE DUCHESS

CHAPTER TWO

24th of December, 1839

Colin tried to ignore the continuous knock on his door, as he was still tired from last night's journey home from Cambridge. It was their two-week Christmas vacation, and all he planned was to sleep and sleep, wanting to regain those nights that he crammed himself in studying.

He was not rich, nor had the money to go to school, but David Whittaker was generous enough to support him. His father was David's butler and his mother, a housemaid of the same estate.

David Whittaker was the powerful duke of Montrose, respected and beloved by all. He was an influential man and almost everyone was willing subject to his desires, but sadly, he didn’t have any family left. A lot of men would willingly take his place once he dies, it was either that they vote for a man suiting for the title, or producing an heir. But David was already fifty years old, and clearly, he was not interested in marrying someone soon which they find quite odd.

"You may enter." He unwillingly replied to all the knocking made on the other side of his chamber's door.

"You are still in bed?" Colin didn't even took a peek, but he knew it was his father.

"I am tired, papa."

"Get up." His father pulled his leg down. "Lord Whittaker is expecting for you at the dining table as of this moment. Hurry up and make yourself look presentable."

"Then stop pulling me."

"Be down in ten minutes or I'll send your mother to fetch you." He heard him walk towards the door, opened it and shut it once he stepped out.

"Alright."

So even though he wanted to sleep the day away, he hesitatingly stood up and prepared himself for breakfast.

"Good morning, Lord Whittaker." He greeted, as all the servants watched as he confidently strode to the chair next to David.

"Colin," David said. "I was not able to welcome you back late last night, so welcome back."

"Thank you." He replied, he settled himself on the chair and reached for a boiled egg.

"So, how was school?" Asked David.

"Uhh..." He stuttered. "Tiring and hard."

"And your grades?"

"Fine." He replied.

"Well, the dean is actually a close friend of mine and he sent me a letter."

Colin glanced at his mother who looked a bit worried. "Did he say anything about me?" He asked.

"Yes, he did." David replied. "And I want you to be honest with me, Colin."

"Al.. Alright."

"Are you or are you not going to graduate from school with the highest distinction?"

"I honestly don't know..."

"No need to be modest, boy!" Shouted David. "The dean has already informed me..."

"About what?"

"Everyone, gather up." David stood up. "Stand beside us."

And everyone obliged.

"We are in the presence of the dux of the University of Cambridge for the year 1839, let us give Colin a round of applause." David clapped.

Colin just stood there as he watched both David and the servants congratulate and applaud him. He watched as his mother tear in joy.

Afterwards, David allowed everyone to have wine and celebrate the wonderful news, while he invited Colin to join him in his study for a private talk.

"Would you like some more wine, Colin?" David offered him a bottle of expensive white wine.

"No," He refused. "but thank you."

"Alright, now..." David placed the bottle on his desk and sat on his chair. "What I am about to tell you will remain between us until a certain time."

"What is it that you want to talk about?"

"Well, as you know, I am getting old." He started. "You know very well that I don't have anyone to pass the title to after I die, and I want you to be the next duke of Montrose."

"What?" Confusion was written all over Colin's face. "I couldn't possibly..." But then David smoothly interrupted his words.

"Colin, I've known you since you were a little boy. You're kind, responsible and exceptionally intelligent."

"But is it even possible?" Colin asked. "I was born from a poor family, I know nothing about being a duke."

"Well, it is not really possible to just hand you the title, but if you marry my daughter..."

"What daughter?" Colin stopped him from saying anything further.

"My daughter, Olivia." David's face instantly changed from a celebratory expression to a gloomy one.

"But..."

"Let me explain first." Said David. "Twenty-seven years ago, I secretly married my late wife, Charlotte. She was and still is my everything. I was in complete heaven after we married, till my Olivia was born. After that, everything changed."

"What happened?" Asked Colin.

"Charlotte passed away the night she gave birth to our daughter, and I was so shocked that I fled Chester that very night, leaving my daughter in my mother-in-law's care. And I haven't returned ever since."

'So, you have never seen your daughter before?"

"Never."

"How old is she?"

"She's five and twenty."

"And you want me to marry her?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I know that I can trust you."

"But we've never met before."

"So have we, but I know she'll make a great wife."

"No." He refused. "I appreciate the offer, but at the age of five and twenty, she has to be married now."

"Neither of us are certain." Said David. "But think about this, Colin, I've fed you, schooled you and I even sent you off to a fine university, and this, is my only request. Marry my daughter and take my title. A fair deal, advantageous for the both of us."

"It is a fair offer, but..."

"Colin, boy, I am not getting any younger to produce myself any children. But my daughter? I am sure she is somewhere out there."

"No."

"You do realize that we are not leaving this room without me getting what I want, right?"

"Uhh... Lord Whittaker___"

"Colin," David poured a glass of his finest wine in a glass. "your parents are old, do you think anybody will simply accept the both of them if there are a lot of younger, faster and more efficient servants to work for them?"

"No..."

"And you are clear that I am willing to cut off your scholarship, right?"

"Yes..."

"Then, you will accept my offer if you know what is best for you and your parents."

"Alright." Colin finally agreed. "But how and where will I find her?"

"She still lives with my mother-in-law, hopefully."

Colin was in disbelief, "and when will I depart to meet her?"

"As soon as possible."

"I will leave tomorrow."