The Arrogant Duke

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Edward, it has been a month!" said Jessamine, who had been very worried about her sibling who had not even thought of writing to her. "Where have you been?"

"I was in London." Edward replied with a hint of cheer on his usually reserved face. "Where else would I have been?"

"You look happy." Jessamine noticed. "I trust that everything went well with Grace?"

"It has." Edward agreed.

"Great!" Jessamine jumped happily. "When shall we plan for the wedding? I'm sure that the Hamilton's will want to take part in the wedding preparations ... The Baron of Guilford would surely be delighted in hearing that the wedding will finally take place!"

"You said the word 'wedding' three times, and yet we have not even discuss about courting properly." Edward said. "We have to wait for at least a year or more before Grace can declare herself eligible for marriage again."

"Oh nonsense," Jessamine uttered. "The people of Suffolk does not even believe that a marriage had taken place between James and Grace. They all believe that Grace simply eloped with the man. And besides, it would be good for Grace's reputation to marry you, finally. It would restore what honor she had years ago."

"You shut your mouth, Jessamine." Edward finally snapped. "You have no right to tell me anything that concerns about my private life. You have no right to tell me what to do. You have no right to interfere with Grace and I."

Edward marched to his study and locked the door. His sister knew how to crawl under his nerves and irritate him so.

He did not want to spoil what had been the best days of his life, spent in London with Grace and James. He did not expect it, since he did not like spending time in London anyhow.

They had been to picnics as what would seem like a happy family. An old woman even complimented them as a 'lovely family'. His heart thumped at the idea of them being a family. James was a nice young boy as they got to know each other better, he was intelligent and kind. Edward knew that James would have a future in a field of some sort, maybe a medical practitioner like his father, James Sullivan.

Edward at times would hear Grace call her son as 'Jamie', and he was fonder of the nickname actually. It was given to him so that confusion would be avoided between his Grandfather, James and his father named James. Now, he carried the name James Edward Sullivan. It was quite a surprise to know that Grace had named her son after him as well. He had always thought that Grace hated him, apparently not. He was grateful anyway.

Grace elected to stay at Yvette's inn for the time being while she was sorting a decent place to live in. She told Edward that she had always admired the small house just a mile away from the Mansfield Manor itself. She thought that it would be a great idea to fix the house with a simple sitting area, a kitchen, two bed chambers and two baths. She had always dreamed of living simply, and now that she had a son, she would do just so.

"Mama, I like Mr Duke." James said, as he sat and conversed with Grace. "He makes you smile."

"I like him too." Grace agreed.

"Are you going to marry him?" James asked curiously.

Grace smiled. "I do not think that a child should be asking such questions, James. You are too young and you simply do not understand yet."

"Mama, is it not that marriage is a union between two people who love each other? Like Daddy loves us."

Grace's eyes widened, she did not think that she would be having this type of conversation with her son, a four-year old boy! "Then will you mind if I marry Edward, then?"

"As long as you are happy, Mama." James answered, as he tucked himself into bed. "I know that what you are thinking will always be for our best, and if it is not then we will always be together."

Grace simply hoped that she made the right decision on staying.

The next week was busy for Grace for she had been renovating the small home that she bought for a small amount of fortune. It was obviously abandoned by its previous owners, but Grace could see the potential within it with a little love and care. She needn't buy any furniture neither, the house was fully equipped with everything that they would be needing. It would only need to be dusted.

Edward had visited them at least five times. He helped with cleaning and moving, even in minor repairs around the house. Grace had been clearly impressed with Edward's ability. He wore a white shirt that outlined muscles that Grace found to be tempting. His body was well defined for a man who needn't do any labour for the rest of his regal life.

They'd gone on short walks. James acted as their chaperone, although he did not know what it meant. Grace was happy that James was enjoying himself in Suffolk as she was. Whenever Edward had free time he would bring horses and go on rides along the borders of the farm, enjoying the sunset.

"My Lord, what a pleasant surprise!" Mr Sheffield, the Hamilton's butler welcomed him. "Is the Baron expecting you today?"

"No, but I do want to have a word with him." Edward replied. "Is he present?"

"Yes," Mr Sheffield nodded. "He is with Master Benjamin in the library. Shall I summon them for you?"

Edward reciprocated with a nod. "Thank you."