The Duke of Garwood and His Bride

CHAPTER 5 THE DUKE OF GARWOOD

The king had been growing anxious for his brother's arrival. He should have arrived this morning or by noontime at the latest. But it had been two hours after the sun had hidden itself away. He had already sent some of his men and Lord Hemsworth's men into the routes leading to Durham for them to escort his brother into Durham once they spotted him. What could have caused his delay. Was it possible that he changed his mind about coming over? But he was desperate enough to even change his mind.

Lord Hemsworth watched how agitated the king looked. They both stood in one of the high towers of the castle. They could easily spot anyone coming into Durham's entrance. The baron shook his head and smiled, he had lost count of His Majesty's sighs and needless pacing.

"Your brother is old enough to keep himself safe. He'd be here if he truly left Garwood Estate but if he did not, I'm sure we'll be seeing a messenger anytime " the baron said.

The king looked at his friend and smiled, "Sometimes I just forget that he's a grown man. But I could not shake the fear that he might have run into trouble or something. We both know he did not have much of the skill of a warrior." He said, voicing out his own agitations.

"Yes but he does fight adequately. Let's wait until the morning, then I myself shall head out to search for him to put your mind at ease."

"Thank you, my good friend." The king expressed. The baron truly knew him better than anyone. He read him like a book and knew exactly how to put his worries at bay. He stood by him in all his battles. He had served him with loyalty like no other.

"Look!"the baron suddenly blurted out and pointed ahead. The king looked at the direction he was pointing. They could see torches from up ahead. "Let's go out and meet them. That might be your brother."

"Or that could be Adrienne. Whenever she is in the villages she usually loses track of time." The king complained, shaking his head. The baron only smiled at him and urged him to follow him down the tower and meet whoever was heading to Durham.

The king and the baron both stood in the inner bailey, both were apprehensive as the portcullis started to be drawn up. The king's heart thumped in excitement as he saw horses drawing near. He was positive that the newcomers were his brother and his company. A smile slowly grew on his lips as he watched the horses gaited into the inner bailey. Stable boys started to assist the dismounting party. The king rushed to the man wearing a black riding hood as he recognized the fair-haired rider. His arms opened wide as he welcomed him in one fierce hug.

"I was starting to think of the worst! What took you so long?" The king asked, giving his brother a gentle tap on the back.

The duke untangled himself from his brother's unrelenting embrace. "We got lost." He answered shyly scratching the back of his head.

"The roads must have changed since the last time I have been here with the former duke." A man stepped forward and added a reply. "Daniel Hubbard, Your Majesty." He introduced himself and bowed to the monarch.

The king gave the man a gentle tap on the shoulder. "Good thing is you have arrived in one piece. Where is the rest of your company?" The king peered over Hubbard's shoulder.

"I'm afraid…" Hubbard trailed off, "I am the rest of the company."

"Garwood Estate needs more men than I do, Charles. I cannot risk leaving them outnumbered." The duke muttered.

"It's that bad up there?" The king asked and his brother only nodded ruefully. "Come on." The king ushered his brother and they both stopped to where the baron stood silently. "This is Lord Langley, the Baron of Hemsworth." The king introduced the two men. Rayne bowed and shook hands with the old man. His gaze returned to the older noble's face to k****e his own mind of recognition.

"Rheinhard Rosenbaum, my lord." Rayne said. "This is my comrade Daniel Hubbard." He motioned for his companion to step forward.

"Daniel Hubbard, my lord." The man also bowed to the baron.

"I am pleased that both of you arrived well. Welcome to my humble home, Your Grace. Sir Hubbard." The baron cordially said and ushered the men into the keep. The king and his brother caught up with each other as both were talking happily as they headed into the keep. Charles seemed more of a doting father than a brother. The rest of the Baron's family were in the drawing room when the duke arrived. The king and the baron led the duke and his companion into the drawing room to announce their arrival. Everyone in the room turned to them when the large wooden doors revealed their presence.

Lady Marianne was the first to stand and curtsied to the king and the newcomers. Lady Alexandra and her brothers and their wives also paid their greetings.

"This is Baron Hemsworth's wife, Lady Marianne." The King started with the introduction.

"Good evening, my lady." Rayne bowed and kissed the back of her hand.

"This is Lady Alexandra, the Baron's eldest daughter. Lady Dianne and Lady Martha the daughters-in-law."

"My pleasure to behold not just one beautiful lady but four in fact." Rayne looked at the ladies, held each one's hand and dropped a peck on it.

Alexandra smiled coyly, "You definitely live up to your reputation, Your Grace. You are such a sweet talker."

Rayne's eyes widened with amazement at her comment. A shy smile surfed on his lips.

"You see, my dear brother, the London Daily has had you famous in the entire kingdom." The king noted in amusement and proceeded with the introduction of the Baron's sons. "These are Lord Tristan, Lord Ralph and Lord Andrei. His lordship’s sons. You’ve trained together and have been in a battle or two before.”

Rayne was once again at a loss. He could only mumbled an inaudible oh at what the king had said. “My apologies. My memory seemed quite a blur. My life was never full of sunshine so my head must have blocked a handful of my memories. But I am afraid you gentlemen knew exactly how bad I was and still am with the swords.” the duke muttered shyly. “It is a comfort to know that you were always right next to me when the going gets tough.”

“We were glad to be of service, Your Grace.” Tristan said, and looked at him dully. If this blockhead could not remember his past, well not him. He clearly remembered what this man had done, especially to his sister Adrienne. He might have been young and too drunk those times, but that was no excuse for him.

“I am forever grateful, my lord.” Rayne replied humbly.

“I shall have the dinner prepared for you and your companion, Your Grace, while you freshen up.” Lady Marianne said.

“Thank you, my lady.” Rayne bowed at the older woman.

“Allow me, Your Grace to show you to your chambers. You too, Sir Hubbard.” Lady Alexandra prompted. “If you please, follow me.” Lady Alexandra turned around gracefully and led the gentlemen up the grand staircase.

“You have a very beautiful home, Lady Alexandra.” the duke could not help noticing as he strained his gaze around.

“It is truly beautiful, Your Grace. My father and mother made sure our home would always give us that warm cozy feeling.” Lady Alex smiled at the duke.

“Please call me Rayne, my lady.” Rayne said cheerfully.

“If that would please you, Rayne. Feel free to call me Alex as well.” Lady Alex said.

“Mother!” a little voice called out when they reached the second floor of the keep. Lady Alex turned to find her son running toward her, a panting nursemaid in tow. She smiled brightly and scooped him up in her arms.

Rayne watched the lady and her child, “You’re married?” he asked with a surprised smile.

Alexandra smiled back and said meaningfully, “Yes and you will be too.” Lady Alexandra smiled meaningfully at him. "What are your thoughts on marriage, Your Grace?" she quipped suddenly then whispered something in her son’s ear and he untangled himself from her and went to his nanny.

Rayne, caught off-guard by her sudden question watched the young lady as he searched the words to answer her.

"I have nothing to be proud of. So I don't think marriage is for me. It would be a shame to share my scarlet blood to some innocent woman, nor to pass on my sinful origin to my offspring." the answered flew out with sadness from his lips.

Adrienne empathized with him and watch the self-deprecating smile which tried to disguise the wretchedness of his life.

"Everybody deserves to be loved, Your Grace. No matter their own personal demons are." She waved at him and turned to lead his lordship and Sir Hubbard towards their rooms. The two gentlemen followed in silence.

Rayne stared in awe at the lavish room given to him. Two footmen arrived to assist him with his bath and wardrobe. He was amazed at the innovations he found in the room and the adjoining bathing chamber. The bathing tub was exquisite white marble, the water source was within the bathing chamber itself. It was like a fountain inside a bathing chamber. He went closer to examine the machine but could not understand just where the water came from and how the machine closes and opens. His inspection halted when a footman sauntered in to assist him disrobe.

"What is this thing called?" Rayne could not help asking out sheer amazement.

The footman smiled, "I believe they call it a water pipe. My Lord Hemsworth introduced it after his return from the east when he fought a war alongside your brother. He must have studied the water and sewerage of the empire in the east and brought them here." He explained too eagerly.

"Amazing! I shall ask him how to do it." Rayne murmured as he kept prying on the machine.

"You should bathe now, my lord, while the water is warm."

"Oh, right. I don't want to keep everyone waiting." He chuckled and allowed the footman to remove his cravat and shirt. He shed off the last of his clothing and stepped into the warmth of the tub. He felt all his sore muscles relax at the warmth. He would have loved to soak all evening if his stomach would just stop protesting.

The chatter in the dining hall died down when the door opened to reveal the young duke clad in his clean shirts and breeches. The duke smiled timidly as all eyes went to him.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting. The bath felt heavenly.I must have dozed off." he explained.

"There is no need to apologize, Your Grace." Lord Hemsworth stood and ushered the duke to his seat. "I bet you are famished from the long trip."

Rayne bowed and thanked the old man, "My sincerest thanks, Lord Hemsworth." He took the seat next to his brother who smiled at him. The damn smile intrigued him and made him uneasy. "I was amazed by your bathing chamber, Lord Hemsworth." he said and gazed back to the baron.

"Ah, most of my guests do. I would be happy to lend you my workers." the baron replied.

"Oh, I appreciate that, so much, my lord."

The servants started to deliver the steaming feasts into the dining table. The duke suddenly felt his mouth watering and his stomach grumbling. The other servants attended to the duke and Sir Hubbard, placing food on their plates and filling their goblets with wine.

"Are we the only one eating?" Rayne frowned in curiosity. He and Sir Hubbard were the only ones with a plate, the others just have wine with them.

"We have already eaten dinner, Rayne. We'll just accompany you and Sir Hubbard." The king answered. " We did not know what day or time you would turn up."

"I'm sorry for imposing, everyone." he said contritely.

"Do not fret, Your Grace. You are not imposing. We are honored in fact, by your presence." Lady Marianne said.

"Thank you, my lady." Rayne said, his hand touching his chest in gratitude. "I will cherish your kindness."

Lady Marianne smiled inwardly at the finesse his lordship had shown. His demeanor was beyond her expectations. He was far from the callous lad he used to be. Perhaps, time indeed changed him.

Rayne was about to take his first bite when his heart almost jumped out of his chest at sound of the door slamming against the wall to reveal a red-haired beauty whose green eyes flared with authority. Behind her was another woman whose foreign beauty was eye-catching too. Sir Hubbard dropped his fork upon the sudden entrance of the two ladies clad in a peasant's garments. Their hair was bound with blue kerchiefs. They gazed at them steadily while they took the liberty of joining them at the dinner table. The servants also came rushing to serve the two.

"Good evening everyone." The green-eyed woman greeted them before sitting down. "Gentlemen." She half-nodded at the duke and Sir Hubbard as her gaze settled on them.

The king chuckled at her blatant greetings. Rayne frowned at his brother's afront behavior.

"Allow me, Your Grace." Lord Hemsworth cut in. "This is my youngest child, Adrienne." He gestured to the green-eyed lady. "And this is my niece, Rose." He gestured to the dark-eyed lady.

"It's a pleasure to have your acquaintance, ladies." Rayne acknowledged and stood to bow at the two.

"It's a pleasure meeting you too, my ladies." Sir Hubbard followed.

"Pleasure is all ours." Adrienne countered. "Please," Adrienne motioned for them to continue with their dinner.

"You did not have the courtesy to freshen up, darling." Lady Marianne admonished lightly.

"I'm sorry, mother. Rose and I are too exhausted and starved to freshen up. There had been too many things that occupied us in the village." Adrienne explained. "I hope we don't look too offensive, Your Grace." she suddenly referred to him. The surprise overtook him and he looked at her wide-eyed, his food froze halfway to his mouth.

Rayne shook his head to brush off his surprise "Certainly not, my lady." he answered, charming her a boyish grin and took in the morsel of his roast beef. She could dress herself in rags and looking offensive would be the least of what she would be like. With her beautiful face and alluring eyes there was no need to look elsewhere. He couldn't even afford to tear his glance away from her.

"Good." She said dismissively without the slightest expression. Rayne could not help but be intrigued by her unaffected behavior. Her beauty had him captivated, and couldn't keep his eyes off her.

"Tell me, Rayne, how bad is the situation up there?" The king asked, trying to strike up a conversation to break the awkward silence and his brother's occupied vision.

Rayne tried to tear his gaze away from the beauty in front of him and refocused his addled brain to the sound of his brother's voice. "Getting worse. I'm afraid I have aged twice trying to figure out how to quell the attacks. My inadequacy is making me fall in despair." He answered sadly. "I thought I finally found somewhere to belong to. But it seems I am losing it because I'm too powerless to protect it." He added with self-derision.

"Don't be too harsh on yourself, Your Grace." Sir Hubbard cut in defense. "The people of Garwood are still with you because we know how much you tried your best. The people's faith in you grew stronger because up 'til now you never abandoned us."

"I am happy to know just how much you have changed over these years, Rayne. I would give you all the support you need."

"I'm so grateful, Charles. Thank you."

"And we shall pledge our loyalty to you too, Your Grace." The Baron added.

"I am forever in your debt, my lord." Rayne thanked wholeheartedly.

"Tell us in detail just how many poses a threat to Garwood Estate, Your Grace." The Baron tried to fish out information for him to calculate just how many troops he would send with him.

Rayne paused thoughtfully, "Well, the news of my great uncle's demise had reached me quite very late. The letter caught up with me for almost a year…"

"You must have been travelling a lot, Your Grace." Adrienne pointed out with a forced grin.

Rayne half-smiled at her bemused reaction. He sensed a bit of sting in her comment but he was more placated by the radiance of her smile, despite being not genuine though. He thought she was not even paying attention to what they were talking about. But hearing her comment gave away her disinterest. "I have been away...for far too long." He revealed. "I did not think I belonged anywhere so I moved around quite a lot and the circumstances where I had been, were never kind nor pleasant." he said somberly.

"I see." Adrienne said blandly, her gaze meeting his directly. She saw the raw emotions crossing the depths of his lovely eyes.

Rayne tried to block away the horror of his gruesome experiences in foreign lands. He never wanted to remember any of those. And when those beautiful green orbs looked at him, he realized his salvation. He bit his lower lip to control his growing smile at her cold demeanor and his growing interest on the fine nymph in front of him. The lady sure had her haughtiness. Something he found rather amusing. "Well, as I was saying," he continued, again tearing his gaze away from the green-eyed she-devil. "The news finally caught up with me for almost a year. I was so overwhelmed with excitement and pride that finally I will have somewhere to come home to. But what greeted me was the wreck and devastation left by the recent marauders. I was filled with rage that someone even tried destroying what was rightfully mine. I tried to hunt down the culprits but it seemed there had been more than I expected. They were no simple bandits. They were not just thieves. There's just more of them. Up north there was a hostile tribe that kept crossing my borders and attacked the villages up there. And there was this Viscount…" he paused and his face darkened. "Viscount Sheldonne laying claims on my lands and title. He claimed he was the rightful heir. It was he and his mercenaries that had been a real challenge to me and my men. They were quite a number and very skilled indeed. Then some of my villages are still at the mercy of some rogues." He continued, his frown deepening and never leaving his handsome face. "Garwood has seven towns and a dozen villages. The towns and half of the villages were now back under my protection. But with my reduced manpower, I doubt I could save the other half." he declared. His fist mindlessly clutching his cutleries too tightly his knuckles already turned white.

The baron and the king locked their gazes upon hearing the Viscount's name and the dire situation the duke is in. Even Adrienne raised her head and regarded him thoughfully. An ugly frown lodged itself between her furrowed brows. She also slowed down chewing her food and watched the duke's face clouded with desperation and frustration.

"Why didn't you just take the fortune and leave that god-forsaken land?" Charles' question broke the awkward silence. "Our paternal uncle also left you his fortune, his title and estate. That was much better than Garwood. That was far wealthier than Garwood." He sounded almost reprimanding.

"You know very well the reason, Charles." Rayne reasoned not even sounding regretful for denying his inheritance. "Garwood is truly mine. Why I chose to heartfully claim it, it's because the circumstances of my birth could never stain it."

"You were born because two people loved each other. Why do you keep looking at their faults and not their love?" Charles groaned almost angrily. He hated how his brother look down on himself whenever he talks about his birth. "I could hate your mother for all I want. But then I can't because in this world, apart from my children, I have you. My own blood and kin."

Sensing his brother was already growing upset over the same old subject they argued on, he tried to maneuver the topic back to Garwood Estate. "Garwood Estate is a marvel to behold, Charles. The lands are green. The hills and the valleys are most pleasing, the forests were lush and thick, the ocean was like a balm to a restless soul. The people are so kind and I couldn't help loving each one of them."

Charles shook his head and burst out laughing. "I would not doubt it, Rayne!" He said, still laughing, making Rayne fluster in confusion. "You have been too poetic describing that god-awful land!" he added and when his laughter died down, he regarded Rayne steadily, "It humbled you."

"I would do anything for that land and for my people." Rayne uttered with conviction.

"That is good to hear. Because I really need you to do something." Charles said cryptically. "We will discuss it in private." He threw Adrienne a quick glance but she did not seem to care since her full attention was back on her plate.

Rayne nodded in agreement. He too could not wait to talk to him about his request. He needed to go back to Garwood immediately. Much as he wanted to stay. He threw a quick glance at the red-haired devil who seemed to have alienated herself from the rest of the crowd in the dining hall. While everyone listened to him eagerly, the woman only paid attention to her plate. Her appetite, he noticed, was not like any female. While she ate with grace, her consumption was quite triple from the ladies he had known. The knowledge made him smile self-consciously. He was afraid he would be caught stealing glances from the youngest Langley.

After the dinner, Alexandra excused herself to attend to her children. They were getting restless without her now that it was time for bed. Adrienne also bade her goodnight as she had been too tired the whole day. The king and the baron both dismissed the ladies. Rayne secretly envied the king with his ease of showing affection to the youngest Langley. If only he had the luxury of time, it would have been worth it to stay and gain the lady's attention. Had he known that Durham Castle hid a lovely maiden inside its walls, he would have paid a visit or two. Rayne gave himself the luxury of watching the beautiful Adrienne make her exit alongside her sister and their cousin.

The rest of the Langleys also made their exit as the king and the baron would discuss their immediate concern with the duke. The men retreated into the drawing room where Lady Marianne had prepared them some tea.

"You have held out quite well, Your Grace. Considering Sheldonne's dirty tactics and his military excellence." The baron started as he seated himself on one of the damasked couches.

"Oh, you know the man, my lord?" Rayne asked with unmasked interest.

"I know him like the back of my hand, Your Grace." The baron answered. "I shall commission my men to march back to Garwood with you."

"Thank you, my lord. It gives me great comfort to know I have your support."

"While we're on that, Rayne." The king interrupted, "I want you to know that I want to strengthen this alliance with the Langleys. And we will be sealing it with your…" the king trailed off. Rayne met his brother's unflinching stare.

"My what?" Rayne asked when his brother's words hanged for what seemed like eternity.

The king stared at him squarely and swallowed hard, "Your marriage."

Rayne instinctively shook his head. He feared he must have heard his brother wrong. "What was that again?"

"Your marriage." The king repeated more audibly. "You know how it is. Alliances are usually forged by marriage."

Rayne fell silent. His mind was suddenly in chaos. He could not form the words to say nor ask. Everything just went around crazily inside his head. He had long given up on the idea of marriage. His life was not something he wanted to share with someone, anyone at that.

"I know it all came as quite a shock to you." The king broke off his train of thoughts.

"Shock was the least to put it, Charles." Rayne retorted, trying to compose himself and to gather his thoughts. He breathed in deeply. "I do not want to get married. I would only bring shame to the woman I will marry. Knowing what I was, I have nothing to be proud of. I don't want her to suffer all the shame of the mistakes I did in the past." he said and buried his face in his palms.

Everyone in the room looked at the duke with growing sympathy. Until now, he still looked so broken and vulnerable. He still imprisoned himself to the darkness of his past.

"What have you done so wrong to deserve to be damned for the rest of your life, Your Grace?" Lady Marianne stomped her slippered foot on the carpeted floor, to everyone's surprise.

Rayne continued to hide his face, "I don't have a name to proudly give any respectable woman, my lady. Nor do I have a name I could proudly give my children."

"That is the most absurd reason I have heard, Your Grace. Do you know Count Argusson? The blackguard killed and r***d an innocent child, but look at him. His living like a priviledged noble when he married the Duke of Millborough's daughter!" Lady Marianne stated, "There is also Marquess Stroddle who was born of Lady Trudow's illicit affair with the former Marquess Stroddle. There was even more controversy about his birth since the lady flaunts her liaisons with other men. Yet these people lived their lives unaffected by their past." Lady Marianne walked toward the young duke who kept his face covered. "Forgive your mother and father, Rayne." she said and removed his palms from his face. "Forgive yourself, my child. You deserve a chance to be happy."

Rayne allowed the lady to lock him in her tender embrace. "Thank you, my lady." he said,hugging her in return. Lady Marianne drew away and smiled at the duke, then returned to her seat.

"Who are you marrying me off to?" He asked, looking at his brother intently.

Charles threw a quick glance at the baron who watched him and the duke keenly. Charles returned to meet his brother's anticipating frown. "Lady Adrienne."

Rayne could not weigh in which was more astounding. The news of his marriage or the fact that he would be marrying the green-eyed she-devil that had intrigued him the moment he laid his eyes on her.

"It would give you greater authority over my soldiers, Your Grace, if you and Adrienne are wed. Knowing there's a Langley amongst your household, my soldiers will not just give you their allegiance but their loyalty as well."

Rayne brushed away the rogue tear that had escaped his eyes. "You will trust me with your daughter, my lord, my lady?" he asked, shifting his gaze painfully at the couple.

The baron and Lady Marianne smiled at him. "We trust you, Your Grace." the baron replied.

"Does the idea of marriage sound agreeable to her?" Rayne questioned and gave his forehead a hard massage.

"Is the marriage agreeable to you?" Charles countered.

Rayne lifted his gaze to his brother and answered squarely, "I found the lady truly beautiful. I was automatically intrigued. But I'm afraid marriage is too soon for the two of us. We barely knew each other."

"You will get to know each other. Trust me. You two need to start somewhere." Charles explained. "You have been alone for too long. Now that you have a place to call your own, it's also about time for you to build a family to call your own."

Rayne shifted his gaze to the baron with a shy grin of admission. "Pardon me for saying, my lord, but your daughter is too irresistible. I couldn't help stealing glances when I first saw her."

The baron laughed. "Don't be deceived, Your Grace. Her beauty may be irresistible but she's a handful!"

"I'll treat her well, my lord. This may not be a love to begin with but I will treat her well, better."

"That's all I need to hear, Your Grace." The baron expressed.

"When do we hold the ceremony?" Rayne asked.

"Tomorrow." Charles answered. "The sooner it is done the sooner you can return to Bowham Castle."

"You thought this through, right?" he grinned. "I am truthfully bothered being away. I don't want my people to think I have abandoned them." he worried his lower lip between his teeth.

"Hemsworth and I have taken care of everything." Charles assured him.

Rayne felt so amused at his brother for having to go through all the preparations for his wedding. He did not know he was this determined to wed him off. But somehow he was thankful for choosing a beautiful woman for him. So beautiful that he could only feel excited than be disappointed.