The Duke of Garwood and His Bride

CHAPTER 6. HIS DILEMMA

Rayne stared blankly at the ceiling of the room he was sleeping in. The frieze designs were intricately carved. The faces of the cherubs seemed so alive while they smiled at him teasingly. How he wished one of them would talk to him and ease his mind over his predicament. He did not know what to make of his situation. It happened too many times when alliances were forged stronger by marriages but it did not occur to him that he would be in one. But how could he refuse such a strong alliance with the Langleys? They may not be well recognized in rank but in their military prowess nobody could come equal. He needed a great ally and he got one. How could he let it slip through his fingers?

Lady Adrienne? She was not a bad catch after all. Her face was enough to hold one’s attention. Any hot-blooded male would not look elsewhere when she was around. She had the most stunning emerald eyes fanned with those incredibly long lashes. Her aristocratic nose always bore that haughty elegance. Her sensual lips seemed to invite a man’s touch with its rosy rouge. The volume of her skirts could not hide the shape of her luscious curves. She was graceful in every way and very dainty like any noble lady but she held a strength beneath her with the way she held her gaze. Her eyes burnt with fire, making it known she was no subservient maiden. That fire was enough to warn any man that she would not cower under anyone’s command.

Still unable to fully reconcile with the thought of his marriage, Rayne tossed the covers aside and jumped out of the bed. He unlatched the doors and strolled out of the room. There were footmen and guards in every corner he turned to and each one asked him if he needed assistance. He declined all politely. His strides slowed down when he reached the foyer and realized he did not know where he wanted to go. A library would be nice yet it could be too stuffy inside. He could go to the towers for some night view but it would be a long flight up.

“Your Grace?”

Rayne turned to find a footman regarding him with concern. He smiled at the older man, “I would like to go outside for a breath of fresh air.”

“Oh, shall I show you the way, Your Grace?” he asked politely.

“Oh there’s no need. I just wanted to be alone and think for a bit.”

“Very well, Your Grace. There’s a beautiful garden east of the castle.” he informed.

“Thank you for your assistance, sir.”

“You’re most welcome, Your Grace. Would you like to bring a bottle of good wine?”

“Can I?” Rayne lit up with much eagerness.

“Certainly, Your Grace. Please wait a second and I shall fetch you a bottle and a glass.”he said and left hastily.

Rayne ambled leisurely toward the east of the castle. He glanced at the crescent moon and thanked it for the light he needed to walk the path to the east garden. The courtyard was immense but this was only half of Bowham’s. There were numerous trees, bushes and shrubs, flowers and ivies on the pillars. The courtyard had its magical eeriness tonight that seemed to tickle him to the bones. He smiled to himself at the weird feelings stirring inside him. Finally reaching the eastern part of the castle, his nostrils were assailed by the sweet blend of the scents from the soft breeze. He breathed in deeply and felt refreshed. He combed the vines hiding the small gates into the garden. He slowly crept inside and he was enthralled by the sight of flowers and trees that all looked silvery under the moonlight. There was a wooden swing with sturdy rope holding it to a trunk of a large tree. Looking far ahead, partly hidden by some trees and shrubs and vines was a small pavilion of gray or probably white marble. He headed toward the pavilion and saw some carved figures of fairies and pixies, of nymphs and cherubs on the pillars. He helped himself to one of the wooden and brass benches. Everywhere he looked just seemed magical. The small fountain in the middle of the garden spouted with glittering silver water. He leaned back and closed his eyes to absorb the wonderful feeling that surrounded him. He would put something like this in Bowham one day.

He opened the bottle and poured himself generously. He placed the bottle beside him and held the glass before his eyes, swirling it aimlessly. He brought the brim to his lips and sipped the warm liquid. He savored the blend of the bitter-sweet elixir. He felt like he had entered a different world when he was welcomed by the numerous tall trees, variety of flowers and vines and bushes. There were probably three small gazebos. The entrances to the pavilion were arched and carved artistically. Inside the pavilion were benches of wood and brass and marble too. He gazed back at the small fountain nestled at the heart of the garden and listened to flowing silvery water from a jar held by a statue of a beautiful nymph.

Rayne sat comfortably, his feet splayed idly in front and his eyes were closed as he absorbed all the wonderful things that surrounded him. He sighed a sigh of relief and opened the bottle once more to pour another glass generously and held the glass toward the crescent moon. He swirled the dark liquid aimlessly as if giving himself a toast. He brought the brim to his lips and took a little and swirled the liquid in his mouth. He played the flavor inside his mouth and relished the warmth as the liquid descended his throat.

“Couldn’t sleep, Your Grace?”

The voice gave Rayne a start, making him choke from the liquor in his mouth. He coughed out loud to clear his airways. He felt his cheeks warmed and reddened from struggling to breath. Then the woman in his mind came to life and was holding his face between her palms with grave concern.

“I’m sorry for startling you, Your Grace.” Adrienne apologized. Still unable to speak, the duke could only shake his head. “Rose, could you please fetch some water.” Adrienne turned to her companion who was standing from a decent distance from them.

“There’s no need, my lady.” Rayne finally managed to squeak and raised his hand to stop Rose.

“Are you certain, Your Grace?” she clarified and the duke nodded. “Very well.” she said and stood. “Rose, you may return to the keep.” she added without looking at her cousin. The lady murmured a response and soon left them alone.

“I thought one of them suddenly came to life and spoke to me.” Rayne said, gesturing to the statues around them.

Adrienne could not help giggling, “You get spooked too easily, Your Grace?”

Rayne laughed out at his own blunder, “I was caught off guard, my lady.” He watched the woman in front of him still giggling mirthfully at his expense.

“Were you unable to sleep, Your Grace?” Adrienne asked and seated herself to one of the benches opposite the duke’s. She studied his face partially shadowed by a pillar. He was still as good-looking as she remembered him to be. His perfectly chiselled jaw, his Roman nose and those mysterious grayish-blue eyes all added up to his boyish charm. His body had grown some more substance in the right places. He had grown into a fine looking man indeed. She wondered just how much he had grown some maturity.

“Are you…”the Duke suddenly spoke, drawing her out of her scrutiny. She met his unflinching stare as he continued. “...aware that we are to be married?”

“Yes.” she replied thriftly.

“Are you amenable to it?” he probed, his voice gentle and uncertain.

“No.” came her straightforward answer. She watched him stiffened from her response.

“I’m sorry. It must have been hard for you.” Rayne huffed as if getting something out of his chest. “Charles must have overthought my need for reinforcements.”

“He probably had.” she agreed with a nod.

“Honestly, it’s bad enough to force someone into marriage. It's even worse to use that marriage for one’s own selfish gain.” he said somberly. “I’m glad you have been honest with how you feel about this marriage. I will not impose it upon you, my lady.”

Adrienne held his gaze and smiled. “I may not be amenable to it but I have decided to go for it.” she confessed.

“Are you certain?” he asked, perplexed at her decision.

“Yes.”

“You do not know me, my lady.” he said, dropping his gaze on the ground. “I have nothing to be proud of. For someone as honorable as you, I do not think I am a good match for you.” he disclosed. "I would only tarnish your good name."

Adrienne watched his movements. He did not look so confident. Does being a prince and a duke not enough to boost his ego? Or has the misfortune of his birth still brought him sorrow. She thought carefully of what to tell him without sounding too offensive. But perhaps she should tell him some truth of her knowledge of him. “Who would not know the bastard brother of the king?” she quipped and saw him shoot her with a bewildered gaze. “Who frequented the brothels and crawled out of the drinking saloons almost senselessly?"she added with a merry twinkle in her eyes. "Who always got himself a narrow escape from every duel between irate husbands? Who had been chased out by furious fathers?” she narrated.

Rayne burst out with genuine laughter at her tally of his escapades. He could not think of anything to counter her knowledge about him.

“Tell me, Your Grace, did I miss something?”

Still unable to contain his laughter, “Well, those gossips are still part of my biography though. But there were still worse things that I’m too ashamed of about myself.” he confessed, the smile faded from his lips.

“Everyone has their own skeleton in the closet. Even I, Your Grace.”

“I appreciate it, my lady. But I think you look too innocent and pure to even hide anything.”

It was her turn to laugh. “Garwood,” she said, calling him out by his title. “Don't be naive. I am not as innocent as you think I am. I, too, hid my own fair share of flaws. Do not be misled by my gentle looks.”

“Fair warning, my lady.” he said, appreciating her candour.

“Your need for a strong ally and your desire to keep your people safe made me change my decision.”

“I appreciate it very much, my lady. Thank you.” he expressed wholeheartedly.

“But, since we are getting married only because of this alliance, let me lay down my terms, Your Grace.” she continued, earning a baffled expression from the duke. “You may also lay down your conditions.”

“I don’t know what to say. Again, my lady, you caught me unawares.” Rayne uttered, shaking his head in befuddlement.

“Well, hear me out first then. My first condition,” she started and stood by the entryway of the pavilion, “I want to have something like this in your castle grounds.” she said, her hand gesturing everything around them. “This is my own private space, Your Grace. Apart from my room, this garden is my very own. Every single plant or tree you see about, I have planted it with these two hands. Since my childhood, I have started raising this very garden. This very place is where I think, where I cry, where I rant. This is where I hide when I want to forget the world outside.”

“I see.” Rayne nodded, “I don’t see any harm in your desire for a private place. Consider it done, my lady.”

“Second,” Adrienne turned to face the duke, showing him her two fingers, “we shall always be honest with each other. I do not forgive lies.” her brow rose haughtily.

Rayne watched her intensely, “You seemed to have really thought these through.” he pointed out.

“Third, Your Grace,” she said as if brushing off his last words, “as we are not a couple in love and knowing what a rakehell you are,” she stressed, giving more emphasis on his adjective. Rayne gritted his teeth and tried so hard to smooth his ruffled feathers. The woman knew how to strike him raw. “I am pretty sure you have a string of women at your whim.” she caught him closing his eyes and breathing in deeply. “I will not ask you to break up with them. However, I want you to conduct your amorous liaison discreetly. I do not want to be openly dishonored, Duke Garwood. For the sake of my name, you must be discreet with your affairs outside our marriage.”

Rayne sighed and kept his eyes closed from her tirade of conditions. The woman surely left him speechless. She must have truly known him too well to think of these conditions. The woman was no witless wench. She was dead calm during her declarations. She must have delved deep into his reputation before agreeing to this arrangement and conjured all these terms to guard and protect herself from the likes of him. He wondered how many conditions she had thought of.

“My last condition, Your Grace,” she said and went to stand in front of him. She did not speak for a moment and he opened his eyes to see what was making her hold back. He found her staring down at him with tenacity. He straightened himself and tensed in anticipation for her last declaration. “My last condition is that we shall not consummate this marriage, Your Grace.” she declared without batting an eyelash.

Rayne bolted up from the bench and thundered, his eyes wide in protest. “That’s preposterous, my lady!”

“Your Grace, I cannot give myself to any man!” she retorted calmly, her gaze looking straight through his with unfathomable severity.

“I will not be just any man, my lady!” he roared. “I will be your husband.” deliberately lowering his voice through clenched teeth. The absurdity of her last condition struck him. How could he hold himself back from the beauty that was right under his nose. He was a hot-blooded male and surely he could never hold himself back from claiming what this beauty had to offer. Even now, just looking at her, emotions and desire started to pulse through his veins.

“Let me remind you, Your Grace," Adrienne moved closer to stand in front of him, her voice mimicking his calmness, "that we do not share any fond feelings for each other. I cannot give myself to a man I do not love. This marriage is only good for an alliance and not a love match.” she explained in hope for his understanding.

Rayne tried to calm his wounded pride. This woman had the brass to challenge his claims as her husband. His mind started to have an onslaught of ideas on how to seduce his lovely bride into submission. After all, he would not be a rake for nothing. The thought made him smile sinisterly inside. “Fine.” he said with bland resignation, “We shall not consummate this marriage then." He agreed. "Not against your will though.” he continued, his finger brushing under her chin with obvious meaning.

Adrienne frowned at his innuendo. “I will never have the will to consummate this marriage, Garwood.” she said and jerked her head away from his feathery touch.

“I shall concede for now, my lovely duchess.” he resigned, but deep down inside he would never let her last condition prevail. The moment he laid eyes on her, she has awaken his most primitive desire to claim her tempting body. Tonight she had played her cards well, that left him with no room for rebuttal. She was no woman to be taken so trifly. His brother must have chosen her for her character.

“We’re good then?” she asked, turning to look into his direction.

“I guess.” Rayne replied lamely. “You left me with no choice. And perhaps it's only natural since we know nothing much of each other. It's truly unacceptable to sleep with someone you do not love nor desire. Should the time come that love or even desire overtook us, I might be too powerless to fight it." he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "But let me ask you, my lady.” he said out of the blue. Adrienne eyed him curiously. “Is there already a man who owns your heart?”

Adrienne lifted her chin and met his gaze undauntedly. She did not answer him immediately. She studied his face intently. But she did not want to hide anything from him. “I’d be honest with you, Your Grace.” she said. “In the past, I had been quite infatuated and intrigued by this one man. But when he left without a word, someone else took his place in my heart. To this very moment it has only been him.”

Rayne clenched his fists to his sides. Her honesty he admired, but the truth struck him like a bucket of cold water. He did not welcome the feeling that seemed to crush at his heart. He did not welcome the strange feeling that was gnawing inside him. His wife would only be loving that man while they are married? Who could be that lucky bastard? How could he put up to that?

"Who's the lucky man?" He dared ask. He tested how far her honesty would take her.

Adrienne answered him without hesitation, "Your brother. Charles." Her eyes shone with tensed honesty.

Rayne was taken aback by her answer. He froze like a statue. He could not reconcile the fact that his wife is in love with someone else. How much more if that man happened to be his brother? His body trembled in befuddlement. He ran his fingers through his blonde locks and clutched a handful of it at the back of his head. He did not know how to take the revelation. How could his brother give away the woman he loves? And why would he give him someone who's in love with him?

"Ch-Charles?" He stuttered, biting his lip to control his emotions.

"Yes. Long before he even got married, we were already in love." She began, her voice and her eyes both mirrored the pain and loneliness she must be harboring inside her heart. "But since he was already betrothed to the daughter of a French King. How could I contest that?" She asked, raising her gaze to his. "I did all I could for Charles to honor the betrothal. We both had chosen to let each other go. I stayed as far away as I could from your brother and loved him only in silence." She continued. " All this time, he had also loved me. But we had also accepted that no matter how much we love each, we were not destined to be together.”

Rayne watched her fidgeting on her skirts. He knew what she was feeling right now. The bitter reality of being in love with his brother was a burden his own mother must have felt when she had been in love with the former king. He knew the weight of the crown had its price. There were things that needed to be given up for that. There were things he needed to be deprived of, all for the enormity of one's title.

"That's the price of being the king, my lady." He uttered, unsure if he wanted to ease her mind or his own. "Did you regret not fighting for him?"

"No." She said, sending him an acrid smile. "He would be in more trouble if I coaxed him to fight for our love. What we both did was for the best. Best for both of us as well." She answered, sadness began to cloak her beautiful face once again. Rayne wanted to touch her and comfort her yet he knew she would not welcome it. He felt her loneliness tugged at his heart but he was still afraid to touch her.

"But you still love him. How much more are you willing to suffer? You love my brother yet you will be tied to me." He wondered, he could not fathom the pain she must be dealing with upon being betrothed to him.

"Ours will only be for an alliance. I am sure you will honor our terms in this marriage." She said and tried to smile for him again.

"I will honor your terms, my lady." He said, almost promised. He felt a sudden deep compassion for the woman who willingly sacrificed her own chance to be with the man she loved and was willing again to sacrifice her own freedom to aid his need for an ally.

“Do you have anything to add up to our terms, Your Grace?” she asked, her voice masked with joviality.

“Please call me Rayne.” he said casually with a gentle smile. “Do away with Your Grace or My Lord. Just call me Rayne.”

“Very well, Your Grace.” she agreed. “And, you may also call me Adrienne.”

“And another, my lady. Despite my promise to honor your request not to consummate our marriage, still, I want us to share the same bedchamber as we are married. I do not want to give people a chance to gossip about our relationship.”

Adrienne fell silent and thought for a while. His household will definitely wag their tongues when the new duke and duchess sleep in different bedrooms. They might get the wrong idea about their marriage.

"How big is your bed, Your Grace?" She scoffed with an amused smile on her lips.

"You could fit ten cows on it." He answered with a shrug.

Adrienne chuckled, "Alright." She huffed, "I will concede to your request, Your Grace. But perhaps not this soon. I would still feel awkward being with you in the same bedroom. Can you give me some time to get used to this marriage before we share the same bed?"

Rayne thought for a while. Their marriage had been too hasty and they were practically strangers. The lady would definitely find it awkward to find herself sleeping with a man, the brother of her beloved at that. "Alright then. I understand how sudden everything came to the two of us."

"Thank you, Your Grace." she said with a sigh of relief.

"Let's be good to each other and get to know each other better and please do not use my being a bastard son against me. I'm quite over sensitive on that matter." He disclosed almost hesitantly.

"I'm good with that, Your Grace. I have never used it against you then, never will I use it against you now." She promised.

"Thank you, my beautiful wife-to-be." He teased her.

"Let's drink to that, Your Grace!" She laughed and picked up the bottle on the bench. Rayne raised his glass to her. "To our strong alliance, Your Grace!" She cheered.

"To our beautiful friendship!" He cheered too.

Adrienne clinked the bottle she was holding to his glass and drank from it. Rayne stared at her wide-eyed. He did not expect her to drink it straight from the bottle. He laughed at her candidness. Looking at her, he knew there would be so much more he would discover about her. From the moment he had met her, she had shown different facets of her personality. He saw her first clad in a peasant's dress, coming from the village to help around. He hoped that the villagers of Garwood would grow on her too. They too, would need a caring duchess like her. She had also shown him her aristocratic bearing. She would make him a proud husband to have such beauty and elegance right next to him. Tonight, he had discovered how selfless she could be to sacrifice her love and freedom for some great cause. She was indeed a strange mixture of beauty, compassion and a lot more. How he hoped that they would be able to know each other and be able to make their marriage work. They should at least make an effort not just for the sake of an alliance but also to give each other a chance to work on their marriage.