The Duchess of York

Dominick- Morning

It had surprised me when Margaret had thanked me. It brought me back a little to what we were supposed to be, to what we were. I had to remind her that this marriage was just so I could inherit the company, screw the title. The title of Duke held little to no power in actual society, it was what was left of a legacy I wanted no part of. Collins co was rightfully mine though, regardless of what my father thought. I looked down at my hand still holding onto Margaret's, she looked much smaller on the large bed. Her red hair was fanned over the pillows and I was again surprised at how badly I wanted to run my fingers through it. Margaret mumbled in her sleep, I smirked as I envisioned the dream she was mumbling about. Bunnies, Marriage, too much alcohol, and the Winchester garden. It must have been pleasant because she kept sighing and smiling, I removed my hand from hers slowly, she was safe so maybe I could get some sleep. I walked past the broken door and frowned. When I had finally broken in the bathroom she was submerged entirely, I had ran over to the tub and picked her up. I had called for help as I set her on the tiled floor, I couldn't remember exactly what I had been instructed to do if someone needed CPR, I cursed as my hands hesitantly hovered over her. One of my hands went to her wrist looking for a pulse, my other hand went to the nape of her neck to tilt her head a tiny bit in an effort to open her airway. I had laid my ear over her chest, I couldn't hear or feel any breath and I couldn't tell if the thudding I felt with my fingers was her pulse or mine. Just as I heard someone behind me gasp, I started to breathe air into Margaret. I vaguely heard a server calling for a doctor and I was again frustrated with the aristocracy, why not just call an ambulance. After a few breaths I tried compressions, it was sloppy and I was nervous. A flashback to my mothers still form, arms covered in blood, I was nauseous. I heard more voices and only backed away from my attempt at CPR when Margaret spit out some water, an older man helped me tip her on her side so that the water would spill out of her mouth. She continued coughing and I noticed color come back to her skin, someone had placed the fluffy robe over her and I had found myself annoyed I hadn't done the decent thing first, then I was annoyed about that, I saved her life! Decency shouldn't matter. I shook my head and coming back to the present, I sat on the couch in the corner of the room. I could still see Margaret and I couldn't help but watch her sleep. I was glad she was okay, I was confused about the other emotions I had surrounding the situation. I was upset that she had been so mind-less, I was enraged I hadn't been more sensible, I should have stopped her. Sure it sounded like it was an accident, but if this woman was so careless, and clumsy, I would have to constantly keep an eye on her. It was my job to protect her from everything, from me. I put my head in my hands and groaned, she was going to cause trouble. I didn't like women like her, I didn't like having to take care of people, but Margaret I could tell already she would be different. I lifted my head and found her sitting up and staring at me.

"Margaret, I thought you were sleeping." I stood up and walked over to her she was biting her lip, and she had a small blush on her cheeks. I stood next to the bed and stared down at her, her eyes were a bit darker than normal and I wondered if that was because she was tired.

"I woke up again when you walked away, I guess your presence was somewhat comforting" her voice was quiet as she looked up at me, her lips were slightly pursed and her brows furrowed.

"But that's weird, anyhow are you okay? You were looking distressed." she sounded genuinely concerned, I lifted an eyebrow and her blush deepened. Part of me thought her worry was cute, the other part knew it was dangerous. Affection would be dangerous, her damn smile and eyes were dangerous, I leaned down slightly.

"I think you might have received brain damage from your near drowning little duck." Her eyes grew dark for and part of me wondered what she was thinking, but of course I didn't have to wait long.

"You are a jerk. Why did you even save me?" She growled at me and I slightly frowned, she was quick to throw a verbal punch. Of course she would question that.

"It would look bad if my wife died, so you aren't allowed to harm yourself do you understand?" I lied easily but I wondered if she heard the concern I tried to hide. Shock passed over her features, her mouth fell open and she stared at me.

"You think I would deliberately kill myself for you!?" Margaret almost yelled as her eyes seemed to burn, it was good to see she valued her life, maybe I didn't have to monitor her. I shrugged my shoulders, trying to appear uninterested any more, I stood up and walked back to the couch laying down.

"Maybe if you were more aware I wouldn't get the wrong idea." I knew she heard me because a pillow came flying at me, she was standing on the bed looking at me. She was pissed. Good, things were getting back to normal.

"Little duck, you do realize that the robe you are wearing, is the only clothing you have on" I looked her up and down, she looked very soft, and tempting. Her blush deepened as she sat back down on the bed, but the glare sent in my direction only made me chuckle as I closed my eyes.

"Now sleep for a bit, no doubt your mother will come barging in here soon to send us on our lovely honeymoon." I frowned as I thought about that woman barging into the room after the initial check up. I hadn't told Margaret but her mother was more concerned that we hadn't consummated our marriage, she believed her own daughter was being dramatic. Jasmine, being the loyal friend she seemed to be, had completely unleashed on Helena. She had mentioned that Helena never cared about her daughter's well being just the money my father was giving for a "bride price" I had almost lost it myself. They had sold their daughter, I didn't even know if Margaret knew. The disgust I had for my own father grew as well, he had no care for anyone in this world. I opened my eyes to look at the woman who was legally my wife, she was sitting on the bed scrolling through her phone, did she know how little her own family cared for her? I knew how that felt, it wasn't a feeling I wished open other people. If she knew, she was stronger than I thought, she took most things in stride and she fought back. Margaret Carter now Collins, the name suited her, and the title of Duchess would suit her as well. She was the only thing on my mind as I drifted off to sleep.