The Arrogant Duke

CHAPTER FIVE

“Edward, how is Lady Marcela?” Jessamine asked, clearly with distaste.

It was the next morning after Edward had asked Grace to leave. Edward thought that the Lord has finally done something miraculous. He had not seen Grace the night before at supper, nor breakfast which he was currently having with his sister Jessamine and her husband, Howard.

“She is fine.” Edward asked, not showing any interest about the matter. “Are the children still asleep?”

Howard shook his head. “No, they are in the garden with Mr Parker and James.”

“And what of the governess?”

“Grace was feeling discomfort in her stomach since last night, and even this morning when I checked up on her.” Jessamine began explaining. “She insisted that she was alright, but I told her to stay in bed instead. She is excused for the rest of the day, so I will be teaching the children in the schoolroom today.”

“You?” Edward and Howard asked in unison.

“I thought that it would be a nice way to spend time with the kids.” Jessamine said. “After all, how hard could teaching my children be?”

Edward and Howard looked at each other with disbelief, afterwards continued eating their meals in silence. Jessamine looked overly confident, Georgina and Louis were her own children.

Edward proceeded to his study to do a bit of paperwork. He had to review and revise a few contracts that he had for the tenants that occupied his land in the outskirts of Suffolk. They have been complaining recently, and Edward did not want it to happen again in the future.

It was half past noon when someone had been able to collect the guts to disturb him while he worked. “Edward?” he immediately recognized his sister’s voice as she entered the study.

“Yes?” he answered. “What is it?”

“I know you’re busy, but could you please set all of those paper works aside for a moment?” Jessamine asked. “It is regarding your birthday.”

“Do not even bother,” Edward told his sister. “A bottle of whiskey will please me for my birthday well.”

“Nonsense,” Jessamine countered. “I am throwing you a ball. It is the summer season after all.”

“No,” Edward refused. “I am not allowing you to.”

“I am a grown woman and I can do whatever I want.” Jessamine said.

“Well, you do not seem like a grown woman as of the moment.”

“I have a husband and two children!” Jessamine defended herself. “You are having that ball whether you want to or not. Either way, you do not have a choice.”

Edward sighed and watched as his sister left the room in a fit of ideas for his upcoming birthday. Personally, he would like it if Jessamine had organized an intimate celebration like a dinner perhaps. He was a Duke, but he did not like attending large celebrations and festivities. Maybe that’s why he is unwed up to date, and another being that his betroth had left him prior to their wedding day.

Upon remembering the feeling of humiliation, Edward suddenly thought of Grace. He could not get why she was so persistent on keeping her job, were his insults worth the large salary she gets to receive every end of the month? Maybe he should contact the Baron to collect his daughter from the manor and take care of making Grace suffer her punishment? It was not a bad idea, but it was a childish one.

When the hour of supper came, Edward promptly headed to the dining hall and sat at the head of the table. He glanced at the clock, looking that it was already past seven, yet Jessamine and her family were not yet gathered in the dining hall.

“Do not go,” Edward heard his younger sister plea. “You are not well.”

“I’ve rested enough.” Grace’s voice echoed. “Besides, I will be back in a couple of hours. I would just like to pay my family a visit, especially Benjamin.”

“Then at least take a carriage with you.” Jessamine insisted. “You are bringing your child with you at this time of the night, so you should at least protect yourselves.”

“We will be fine,” Grace urged. “I am a widow, my son and I will be alone for the rest of our lives together. As James’ only parent, I need to learn to fend for ourselves.” It hurts, but it was still the truth. “The estate is not far from here, we will be back before 10 o’clock.”

“Alright,” Jessamine gave up. “I need to gather the children for supper, see you tonight?"

“Yes,” Grace smiled reassuringly. “See you tonight.”

Grace swallowed hard as she and James approached what used to be her home. She hoped that her mother and her only brother Benjamin would be there, as she’d expected them to. It had been at least two weeks since her arrival in England, and it was her family’s right to know where is and her son James is currently residing.

“My Lord,” their old butler, Mr Sheffield, gasped at the sight of Grace. “Lady Grace, you’ve returned home!”

Grace was glad that at least one person will be greeting her a cheerful welcome. “Martin, this is my son, James.” Grace introduced informally. “I’m wondering, is Mama home?”

“No,” Mr Sheffield shook his head. “But the Baron and Master Benjamin are.”

“Is it alright if I enter?” Grace asked.

“Of course!” Mr Sheffield opened the door wider to welcome Grace. “Please, allow me to serve you once more.”

“No need,” Grace said. “Will it be alright if you summon Papa and Benjamin in the sitting room, Martin?”

Mr Sheffield said nothing more before running to fetch the Baron. He was quite excited and delighted to know that the Baron’s prized daughter has finally returned home, hopefully the Baron would be as enthusiastic as he was in welcoming Grace.

Before Grace knew it, she could hear the sound of excited footsteps quickly approaching her direction. “Grace,” Benjamin was clearly out of breath, but he welcomed his younger sister lovingly with a hug. “You’re back.”

“I am,” Grace smiled upon seeing her beloved older brother. “How have you been, Ben?”

“How have you been?” Benjamin asked in reply.

“I’ve been well.” Grace reassured her brother. “Have you found yourself a wife?”

“I have,” Benjamin responded proudly. “She is with Mama, and our son, Grayson.”

“Grayson,” Grace repeated. “And this young man here, is your nephew James.”

Benjamin patted James’ head. “He looks nothing like me!”

“He looks like his father.” An older male voice interrupted the siblings’ bonding. “Grace.”

“Papa,” she stiffened. “How have you been?”

“We’ve been fine for the last five years or so,” Henley replied bluntly. “As a matter of fact, we’ve been splendid. Time passed so quickly that I’ve forgotten that I even had a daughter. Leave Grace, I do not want to see you anywhere near my vicinities, and you no longer have any rights to enter my property.”

“Papa–” Grace tried to intercept her father.

“Don’t you dare call me ‘father’, I’ve disowned you as my daughter the moment you got on that carriage and left your family with that scoundrel in shame.” Henley said stubbornly. “Leave, and take your bastard along with you. I do not want any associations from the two of you.”

“My son is not a bastard!” Grace snapped. “James had a wonderful father, as I had a loving husband. And do not worry, dear Papa, I am not squeezing myself in this miserable house again, I am merely here to visit Mama and Benjamin. I am here to visit the people that I love and care about, not you.”

“Good,” Henley said. “I want no part of you nor your son to ever show up in front of me or my family until the day that I die.”

Grace lifted James up, despite feeling discomfort in her abdomen. “Please tell Mama that I love her, and I will be calling for her very soon.” She told Benjamin, who was in a state of shock. “Goodbye.”

“And good riddance.” Henley added.