The Duke's Unlikely Lady

CHAPTER 4: The unjust Duke

"You were living in Fairbourne before moving to Briarford" Beatrice repeated the information that Charlotte had told her. "The stark contrast must be daunting on you both. Fairbourne isn't close to anything as good as Briarford. While we have been brought up here and our family has been living here since ages. You'll be able to adapt hopefully."

"Fairbourne is good in it's own way Miss Beatrice," Annie tried to change the girl's perspective on where she had been living since she was born. She wasn't going to look down on where she came from just because her status has been elevated. "The mountain view and river banks is always a sight to behold. Winter season is also beautiful"

"Still you can't compare to Briarford. There shouldn't be any sort of comparison." Penelope said with a false smile on her face. "I wasn't making any comparison Miss Penelope."

"Forgive my sister's words," Charlotte interrupted. She held unto Anastasia's hand to prevent her from speaking any further and annoying the Young ladies "Dear Annie is still getting used to life in Briarford as well as I, but she's quite a committed lover of something or someone. She loves our former home and the people dearly, so pardon whatever she's saying."

Annie looked at her sister for a moment before receiving a slight squeeze from her as a sign to compose herself and avoid any unnecessary talk. "Anastasia will learn to love Briarford just as much as I do." Beatrice picked out a bag and hanged it on her hands to check if it fits her.

"I do find Miss Anastasia's words and ideas on Fairbourne quite refreshing. We must learn about other parts of Albion and not just focus on Briarford." Lydia subtly defended Anastasia. Her tone was controlled and low to avoid getting on the bad side of Beatrice. Beatrice gave her a glare and easily replaced it with a smile. "You find every new subject of discussion refreshing, still don't forget that the better things are in Briarford and even suitable marriage alliance. Miss Constance will you come over and pack what I have picked out. This place gets crowded. lady Beaumont should hire more help."

Anastasia barely heard the conversation behind her. Her attention had been caught by a display of hand-painted fans arranged near the window. Each one depicted a tiny garden scene, so delicately painted that she found herself leaning closer.

Constance appeared and packed what the ladies had chosen for themselves. A sudden idea popped into Beatrice's mind "Lady Charlotte, I'm having a little tea party soon and I was thinking of inviting you and your sister. You'll be able to interact well with my friends and you can choose your own circle unless you want to join mine."

Charlotte couldn't be more happy that she had secured an invitation to a noble lady's tea party in just the first day of being outside. She quickly schooled her expression not to appear too excited. "It's an honor to be invited by you, and concerning the circle, my stand will be more clearer during the tea party."

Anastasia on the other hand just warmly smiled "Thank you for your invitation." The ladies walked to where Lady Beaumont was attending to older women and mothers. "I see you ladies are done shopping. How was your new experience in shopping in my shop?" Lady Beaumont asked Charlotte and Anastasia.

"It was a splendid experience and with the right company." Charlotte replied. She glanced at Beatrice who had a pleased look on her face. Anastasia said "you make fine dresses with unique designs Lady Beaumont"

"You can only get such in Briarford," Penelope lifted her shoulders with pride. She hinted at their earlier conversation about Briarford and Fairbourne. "And she was comparing,"

"Clip your tongue Penelope, you sure have lots of opinions this morning" Beatrice shut Penelope up with a glare. Polly and Eliza gathered the clothes that the young mistresses had picked out after they were packed neatly in bags by Constance. "The clothes that you'll be needing to be stitched will be sent to your home Miss Charlotte" Lady Beaumont said.

"Do send the bill along with it." Anastasia instructed. Eliza picked up the bags and handed some over to Polly. Charlotte and Anastasia left the dressmaker's shop leaving Beatrice and the rest to wrap up their purchase. Charlotte didn't want to appear desperate and Anastasia was just tired of standing around.

Polly pushed the door open for them to step out. The sun rays hit their fair skins Immediately, making them pull up their gloves. Suddenly a black carriage pulled by four black horses appeared from a sharp corner. The carriage swept past them with barely a few feet to spare, its wheels rattling against the cobblestones. "How rude!" Charlotte exclaimed with a frown. She straightened her gown oblivious to the stares and murmurs.

Polly and Eliza gasped at the words spoken by Charlotte. They quietly moved closer to correct the ladies on who owned the carriage. "Miss, that's the Duke's carriage. You can't say such against him." "The Duke!" Charlotte repeated surprised that she was almost run over by the Duke. 'My day couldn't get any better' She smiled internally. "The Duke of Briarford, as in Duke Reginald Ashford?"

"Yes Milady. The one and only. The Ashford coat of arms was emblazoned upon the carriage door." Eliza pointed out. Anastasia stared at her sister. Anastasia stared at her sister. Charlotte had finally encountered the Duke she'd talked about so often back in Fairbourne. None of them had seen him, but Anastasia had heard plenty about him from other ladies and even her own sister would talk about him and how noble and righteous he was. Whispers were heard from other women who were passing and had seen the Duke's carriage.

"I told you the Duke would be passing here today." One of them said. "I was just about to lash you for bringing me out to wait by the baker's shop for hours, but still it was worth it but not enough cause I still didn't get to see his face. Who hasn't seen his carriage?" The other lady complained, walking away with a humph. "Hey, don't speak like that. It's in the papers that a young Lord was murdered so the Duke will obviously be taking charge over it. It was worth it to know that he would be visiting this part of Briarford now" She walked faster waving the newspaper behind the fuming lady who walked passed Charlotte and Anastasia.

"I would have been more lucky if I was almost run over by him by those two ladies" The fuming lady glanced at Anastasia and Charlotte. Annie who had heard their conversation shift towards her sister and her, felt uncomfortable that been almost run over by a Duke was considered a special privilege. 'What weird people.

"Let's get going Charlotte, mama must be waiting for us." They crossed the road to where Theodore stood with the door open for them. "A copper a copy!" The newspaper vendor's voice rang behind them. Anastasia who was yet to enter turned to Polly and said. "Get me today's copy of the news. I did notice that the women all had the newspaper in their hands. I would like to see what's going on in Briarford as well."

They say down waiting for Polly who had gone to get the newspaper. "Milady, this is today's paper" Polly pushed open the carriage and held out the crisp white paper with two hands. "Give it to me." Charlotte leaned over Anastasia and snatched it out from Polly's hands before Anastasia could take it. The carriage started moving immediately.

"What does the paper say Lottie?" Anastasia asked. She peered over Charlotte's shoulder to take a peep at what was written, but Charlotte was flipping through the papers with her eyes scanning rapidly. "Isn't that Papa's name I see there. The news has already spread that we are now Nobles."

"Those two ladies mentioned about a young Lord that was dead and the Duke was going to be in charge." Charlotte ignored Annie's earlier statement. She was only interested in finding out what the Duke was doing. If there was something that was starting to pique are interest more than joining a social circle in Briarford, then it was Duke Reginald.

"And what will you do with that information? Are you going to tell Papa that we were almost run over by his carriage?" Anastasia asked unsure of what was going on in her sister's mind.

"Don't be silly Annie. The Duke would not hurt anyone willingly, and besides it was our fault for not looking properly before we attempted to cross the road." Polly stared at the girl who had just called the supposed Duke's action as crude and was now defending him. "I've found out what the ladies were talking about. Do you know what this means Annie?"

"No I don't know what it means and of what use that piece of information is to us." Annie slumped resting her head on the carriage seat. Her sister was off to talking about nobles and especially the Duke again. Very soon she'd tattle off and start talking about the King. "We can know what's he doing to help Briarford and hopefully while we are taking a stroll, we'll run into him. Certainly not run over by his carriage this time." Charlotte laughed at her joke. Annie just rolled her eyes "You do not intend to stalk him now do you? Papa already warned not to do anything that'll sully our name. We are new here so we shouldn't just skip around and following anyone especially the Duke."

"I'm not stalking him Annie, and I am definitely not doing anything to sully our name. Instead papa will be proud of us of we make good connections, Papa may be a Baron, but he still doesn't have the certain privilege to talk to the Duke closely. We can do that through the right ways." Charlotte tried defending her point. She wasn't going to let any opportunity slip her hands. If the King was someone she couldn't just reach out and talk to with her status, but hopefully the Duke will be a more reasonable and approachable option. Though it wasn't going to be as easy as she wished, still she had enough patience to work her way up.

"Anything that keeps your boat afloat Charlotte. Can I have the paper now, since you are done with your stalking?" Annie stretched out her palm to Charlotte who dropped the papers with a pleased expression. Anastasia opened the paper, studying every single thing, especially the part dedicated to her father as being titled the new Baron.

The Duke's carriage stopped beside an alley that had been closed off from the public. Reginald stepped out with a small this on the ground. He pushed off some strays of hair back into their place. "Your Grace, we didn't expect you to be here." One of the town guards approached Reginald.

"You wouldn't have expected me because you all have such an ability for being incompetent. Now where is the source of today's meeting?" Reginald walked towards the place of the crime. "Move away let me see the art clearly," Reginald waved his hands at the guards that had surrounded the body trying to check for any clue. He also wanted to see how efficiently he had taken care of the problem.

"Your Grace, what brings you here?"

"The crown has sent me to take care of a problem Silas." Reginald maintained a calm expression while talking to the head of the town's guard. "And what is the problem?" Silas said with slightly gritted teeth and hands clasped firmly behind his back. One thing he hated was extra people meddling in his work and especially the annoying Duke of Briarford.

"This is the problem. Benjamin Lawson still gets on my nerves even after he is dead." Reginald circled the naked headless body, studying the scene. "How do you know that it is sir Benjamin Lawson? Do you have anything to do with this?" Silas moved closer to Reginald. If he found out that Reginald has anything to do with it he wouldn't hesitate to take him up at the High Council. The High Council was a body of people set up by the royal family centuries ago to prevent abuse of power by those who held it. Even strictly and watching over the Royal house.

"I do not conduct my work so sloppy like what you and your team are doing. I do my homework before been sent out here, and you haven't even been doing your job properly in keeping the incident quiet. Even the public knows, by now it would have been discussed over the afternoon tea in houses." Reginald took out a crumpled newspaper from his pockets that he had bought before coming here. He tossed it at Silas who caught it and read it with a grim expression.

"I have no idea who released the news Your Grace." He squeezed the paper, frowning at the thought that he couldn't keep it quiet.

'obviously you can never have an idea.' Reginald said to himself. He was the one who had anonymously disclosed the incident but not with details. Just enough to create a dread and warning.