The red door opened, and I stood looking in awe at the inside of the prettiest cottage in the world. Made even prettier by the knowledge it was now mine. The duke had just given it to me as if it were a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers. He had just given me a cottage of my very own.
I was not sure how to feel about it all. I was still in a state of shock at the duke’s declaration. It was the most generous thing anyone has ever done for me, but also the most romantic gesture I could ever have dreamt of. But yet, why am I still consumed with a sense of hopelessness? Why could I not just enjoy this moment with the duke and revel in his display of affection? He had just said this place was his safe haven and now he had given it to me. Surely that means he has feelings for me of some
