The Duchess of York

Dominick

As I watched Margaret walk away I had to fight the urge to smirk, she had become better with her retorts but she had a long way to go if she was going to make it as my wife. Eliza grabbed my face and leaned up to kiss along my jaw, looking down at her I frowned and gathered both of her wrists in one hand. “Eliza we need to talk” her blue eyes narrowed. She knew where I was going with this, I had warned her from the beginning but it seemed she hadn’t believed me. She was good in bed and was a good deterrent at fundraisers and company events for any gold digging woman who tried to get my attention, but it would have to end. I didn’t want to get married, it was a complication I hadn’t wanted since I first realized what an arranged marriage did to my poor mother. After my father had the confirmation she was pregnant he all but banished my mother to a separate part of the manor, he was getting what he needed, an heir.

He constantly had women coming in and out of his bedroom like a revolving door not even attempting to hide it from my mother. It broke something inside of her but she tried to be there for me, but there were times that she stared at me as if I was a monster and it only got worse as I got older. She changed even more after my father arranged my marriage, she had a soft spot for Margaret when we were younger because of her own experience. I heard her one night begging my father to call it off, “ Please Andrew, they are just children and the world is different. I am sure the Carter family would be willing to sign a merger of the companies without forcing the kids toge–” smack. I froze as I watched my mom fall to the floor clutching her cheek, I saw the tears fall down her face looking up at my father. The last time I spoke to her she told me how much she loved both of us and how she wished she could stop loving my father but she wasn’t strong enough. I didn’t understand what she meant for a long time. It was only a week later when I found my mother draped across the chaise in the tea room, a dried trail of blood over her arms, it had been the worst day of my life. I never wanted to see a woman fall in love with me like mom fell for my s**t-head dad. I would never have that blood on my hands. That’s where Eliza came in, she loved the power I had not me, it’s why I kept her beside me for as long as I had. But I was not my father and I never would be. “C’mon baby, don’t be like that. We both know how well we fit together, let's not ruin it.” Eliza purred trying to wiggle her hands out of my grip, she pushed her body to press against me as much as physically possible. Just yesterday I would have taken everything she was offering, and the temptation was still there but I just shook my head. "Eliza, I am getting married tomorrow, it is time for you to leave. This was the plan from the start.” I made sure my voice sounded authoritative. She just scoffed and pulled her hands this time I let her go, and she stumbled back a step. " You aren't seriously going to marry that thing" she pointed towards the direction Margaret had walked off “she will never be able to compare to me” her screech ringed in my ears. I took a step towards her glaring down at her as she seemed to take a breath to scream at me more "Shut your mouth! I won't have you make a scene. Now leave before I make you" Her eyes narrowed at me again before she turned around and left. I had a gnawing suspicion that Eliza was far from done but I would make sure she got the message. I sent a text to the security team to bar her from the estate grounds. I ran a hand through my hair frustrated again with my i***t father who was convinced that having a wife regardless of how you actually felt about her, meant success. I looked up to see Margaret walking towards me. She was reading a book, her eyebrows were furrowed like she couldn't understand the passage in front of her. She was chewing on her bottom lip in concentration and the whole picture was– adorable. In two strides I plucked the book out of her hands, I raised an eyebrow and smirked reading the page she was on, Negotiations for dummies. A blush crept up her pale neck and I had to fight the urge to reach out and see how far that little blush went. I enjoyed watching her squirm so I read a few pages before speaking to her "Little Duck, this might be too advanced for you. I suggest finding a beginner title for such a complicated subject" the defiance in her dark green eyes surprised me, she was serious about whatever was going on in her pretty little head. It intrigued me just like she had on my 18th birthday, my eyes followed her as she walked into the ballroom in her soft pink dress that barely went past her knees. Her white strappy heels made her several inches taller and those eyes that first looked at me so expectantly, like she saw her whole future when she looked at me. It was the moment I knew I would do anything to protect her from myself and the stupid contract. She was innocent in this, like my mother, and she seemed so fragile like if I did reach out for her, she would break into a million pieces. Her lilting voice brought me back to the woman she was now with petite curves and smooth skin. "Well it just so happens I was hoping to run into you."

She went to grab the book back and I held it out of her reach, she glared up at me for a moment before taking a breath and shoving a folder at my chest. She held her hands, her glare meeting mine again. I smirked down at her, as I held her hands in place with my free hand. “You are quite bold today, you could have just asked to touch me. Wife.” The blush returned in full force as she quickly moved away from me and I chuckled looking down at the papers. Marriage contract, Margaret's rules and conditions. It was poorly drafted but I smiled at the attempt, this was good. I offered the book back to her as I skimmed the quickly drafted parties information. Both our names were listed, she hesitantly reached for the book as if expecting me to pull it back again. "If you want your company, and the title of Duke you will sign these papers before our vows tomorrow." her voice had a small shake in it, but it was firm, no room for argument. "I will look over it." She gave a curt nod and began to walk away, I grabbed her arm and leaned down to kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear. The small hint of Lavender that clung to her skin invaded my nose and as the words left my mouth I found myself leaving a kiss where her shoulder and neck met. "Little Duck, be careful what you ask for, you might end up regretting it." her eyes were slightly glassy when I moved away from her, I smirked in satisfaction. There was no doubt that she had no experience and I found that little bit of information very interesting. I turned and left her shocked form, very pleased with this new turn of events. When I reached my room I scanned over the contract, and set the kettle on for tea, grabbing a pen from my briefcase, I glanced at the forms I brought with me from work. Father hadn't stepped foot into the company in 3 years now, I ran it completely on my own now and had changed it from the company that benefited from bankruptcy to a company that actually strived to help. My company was the head investor behind many foundations and charities, under my leadership the company evolved from a multi-millionaire company to a multi-billionaire powerhouse. Even after that father didn't want to end the marriage contract and he made sure that if I didn't marry Margaret I would never have full control of the company, I looked back down at Margaret's papers. Her handwriting was rushed and indecisive, but the words she used told me she meant every word.

1. I don't care if you sleep with other women, but you will not bring them to the estate.

2. I get to decorate the estate the way I want. You don't get a say.

Her list was to the point but as I continued reading her writing got more shaky, like she was nervous.

3. We will not share a room

I paused and frowned. Tomorrow night we would have to share a room, our parents left us with little choice on that. I grabbed a pen and changed the writing.

3. Revised We will not share a room after we move to the estate.

4. I can be with other men outside the estate.

I again frowned, this line looked like it had multiple stop and start lines, like the little duck was unsure to even list it.

5. In public you will act as if we are a couple that at least tolerates each other.

that made sense

6. I will not produce an heir, and you will not sire a bastard.

my eyebrows shot up, but I found myself agreeing with her. At the end of the form was her neat signature, she had the basics but it wasn’t truly legally binding. I contemplated having my lawyer finish the revisions, but decided the informal contract would work out fine. She hadn’t listed any conditions I was particularly against. I hesitated a moment before signing the form. I took out my phone and took pictures of the document, sending it to my lawyer and sending Margaret an email with the revised version. I smiled as I thought about her fierce glare earlier, at least one thing was for sure, married life with Margaret may not be as boring as I originally thought. I straightened my tie and checked the time, I groaned as I realized that dinner was about to be served and my presence for the rehearsal was unfortunately needed. I put the documents I had laid out back in my case, poured out the tea I hadn't drank and walked out of my room heading towards the dining hall. With a plastered charming smile, I walked up to Margaret who had already taken her seat, I greeted her father with a handshake and kissed her mom on the cheek. When I leaned down to kiss Margaret on the cheek she flinched a tiny bit, I let my lips linger next to her ear dropping my voice so only she could hear. "I emailed your contract back to you Little Duck." Her sharp eyes met mine as I took my seat, she looked at me unsure before pulling out her phone and scanning the email. Her father scolded her quietly as my father walked in, immediately a polite smile formed on her face as she greeted him. Now we only needed to make it through the main event.