Sweet Revenge To The Duke (Book 1)

Chapter Eight

Oliver went for his usual walk the next morning at exactly eleven o'clock. He enjoyed the biting chill of November air; he wanted to reflect, and a quick stroll around the duke's grounds should provide him with enough alone to do so.

He'd just spotted Athene playing cards with two gentlemen. They were both single gentlemen, anxious to dance in her presence, curse them. His brother designed the set, dressed like a cherub but playing like a demon—thank goodness they were playing for counters instead of coins.

He'd been tempted to linger and admire Athene's joyous grin. He'd never been on the receiving end of her pleasure before, so it was a new experience for him. For some immature mocking that he barely recalled, she obviously thought he was the Devil. It shattered his heart into splinters.

He had a lot greater understanding of her circumstances now than he did before. When he first met her, she didn't have a close family, only an elderly guardian who couldn't deal with children, so she welcomed his and his brother's boisterous invasions to distract her from her loneliness. Her guardian had taken her away following the death of her great aunt, condemning her to the kind of severe instruction that robbed girls of their intelligence and originality, and taught them not to anticipate independence.

"Avoiding the amusements, Oliver?" ”

As Burlington caught up to him, he practically leaped out of his skin. How could he have been so oblivious to the presence of the Duke?

"No, not at all. I just wanted to get some fresh air. "I'm sure I could ask you the same thing."

Burley laughed. "I enjoy entertaining my guests at times, but I'm also content to let them enjoy themselves at other times." However, your demeanor has deteriorated since you arrived, and I can't help but believe you're sick of something. Alternatively, someone."

Was he actually interested in Athene, or was he merely looking for a way to make amends and appease his conscience now that he'd wronged her? Was pity a factor? Is it possible that everything went much deeper than that?

"Oliver, if you need to unburden yourself, you may count on my discretion."

An outright fabrication. Burley was a rambunctious individual who could not be trusted with anything.

"I know you're trying to do the right thing—"

“Aha! It's mine. "It's the lovely brunette that kissed you the other night."

"She's not a brunette at all." I'd describe her as auburn. He used to call her 'carrot-top' when he was younger. That didn't mean he didn't enjoy her hair, though.

"So she's the one who has taken your heart."

“What? No, Burley, there's no such thing. We'd known one other for a long time. I know something's wrong, but I'm the last person she'd ever confide in." He kicked a mound of maple leaves, which were lifted and moved away by the faint breeze.

"Wasn't it a long time ago?" You must have been only a few years old at the time. But I thought you were spending most of your time at that horrible school— Warriner's, wasn't it? ”

The gloomy sky grew darker. "Didn't you hear about how bad it was? ”

"It's true. Should I ever have any sons, I would never send them there. If what I've heard about the institution is accurate, I guess you have rope burns, flogging scars, and cracked fingers. Torture is carried out by the elder boys rather than the masters. Have you ever thought about—"

He came to a halt in front of the duke and turned around. "Certainly not". Despite the bullying I was subjected to, I never hurt anyone. Miss Edwards, the person in question, recently accused me of bullying her, although she is blissfully unaware of the harsh reality."

The duke had a solemn demeanor. "Sir, you have my sympathies. Being harmed at such a young age is a harsh act that the more sensitive among us will never recover from. At the very least, you've grown into your role as the future Earl of Deerfold and established a backbone. A man in such a position of power must never allow passion to cloud his judgment. Believe me when I say that I learned this lesson the hard way. But let us return to Miss Edwards' criticism of you."

The duke's lighthearted demeanor had returned, and he gestured that they should continue walking.

"Do we have to bring her up?" Burley already knew about Oliver's school days. Did he want to give anything else away?

"Yes, we must, because I believe she's gotten under your skin." So you didn't bully her as a kid? Because you needed her attention and she refused to give it, you called her names and attempted to rule over her. "Do I have it right?"

The guy is a jerk. However, he was correct. Oliver had only wished for Athene to take notice of him, to spend time with him, and to like him. However, Oscar had gotten in the way.

"Yes, I believe that was a part of it." I liked Athene a lot, but she always chose Oscar over me since he was younger and prettier. He was Mama's favorite child when she was alive, so he grew up selfish and spoiled, and I was tasked with taking care of him and catering to his every desire. I took the fall for a lot of Oscar's misdeeds...but I'm over it now. I'm no longer enraged by him."

"That's right." The duke knelt and grabbed a stem of rosebay willow plant from the ground. "Those dreaded weeds." He ripped the plant apart and strewn the parts on the path. "However, you continue to cover for him by paying his gambling bills and preventing your father from hearing anything that might harm him."

What was the source of the duke's knowledge? Oliver had thought that his family's trials and tribulations would remain concealed from view. Better that the Ton thinks he's a rake than Oscar, because Oscar's future could be jeopardized by rumour, whilst the title of 'Viscount' provided some security.

"Your Grace, do you mind if we switch topics?"

This elicited a giggle from the duke. "Please accept my apologies, Oliver. I shouldn't be interrogating you. But it's a lot of fun to do so. None of this, however, aids you in resolving Miss Edwards' difficulty."

"Do you think she's a problem?"

“Undoubtedly. Why not have an open and honest chat with her about why you're picking on her? You can start winning her over once you've gained her forgiveness."

He didn't know how to explain himself to Athene without making her think he was weak. He'd always wanted her to think of him as a strong man. He was in command of everything around him, even his younger brother and himself.

However, his self-control had deteriorated significantly the day before. He would think he was a rake of the worst kind if he stroked her hip and kissed her fingers with the passion of a new lover when the girl hadn't yet eaten breakfast. He must not repeat the mistake.

The duke came to a complete stop. "I see I've given you something to think about." Let's go back to the house in silence so you may process your ideas. Alternatively, abandon logic and rationality in favor of emotion. Follow your whims and wishes more like Oscar, and see how it feels."

What are his desires? It was far too simple to follow them. And it would cause him to lose more than he gained. With a nod, he agreed with Burley's recommendation and walked silently back to the house along the leaf-strewn path.

When the duke arrived at the main door, he went straight inside. Oliver, on the other hand, couldn't sit still and stalked along the gravel walk to the house's back. An unwise decision, as it allowed him to see Athene taking a glass of ratafia from Mr Leo Carter while simultaneously tapping Sir George Jones on the wrist for some misdeed. Her face was lit up with glee.

It was a good thing he didn't have a stiletto on him, for both of those gentlemen's chests would have made enticing resting places for such a weapon. He stormed around to the stables, clenching his fists, crushing the gravel beneath the heels of his boots as he yelled for his horse.

Being Athene's Nemesis was a significant disadvantage, but he wasn't about to give up just yet. Before the house party was over, he would make an effort to gain the title of 'friend.'

And his campaign would begin right away.