Page 49 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

“Hm, it is very difficult to choose a favorite,” Ciara considered. “There are so many wonderful ones. But… I do have a favorite. It is the one my grandmother used to tell me so many times that I thought it was her favorite, too. It is the story of the Children of Lir.”

Henry’s eyes widened. “Is it about fairies?”

“Yes, it is,” Ciara replied, her voice rich with warmth. “Once upon a time in ancient Ireland, there lived a king named Lir. He had four beautiful children, two boys and two girls, and he loved them dearly. But after the passing of his beloved wife, the children were left heartbroken.”

Margaret leaned in closer, enraptured by the story. “What happened next?”

“King Lir married again, but his new wife was not kind to the children,” Ciara continued. “Jealous of their beauty and the love their father had for them, she used dark magic to turn them into swans, condemning them to roam the lakes of Ireland for nine hundred years.”

Henry gasped, his imagination ignited. “Swans? That sounds terrible!”

“It was indeed,” Ciara said. “But the children remained strong, and despite their trials, they sang beautiful songs that enchanted anyone who heard them. Their voices carried across the waters, filling the land with sorrow and beauty.”

“And did they ever turn back into children?” Margaret asked, her eyes wide.

“Yes,” Ciara replied, a smile playing on her lips. “After nine hundred years, they were finally freed by the sound of a churchbell. As the spell was lifted, they returned to their human forms, but they were old and weary. Yet, they had learned the value of love and family which endured through all hardships.”

Henry clapped his hands, his face alight with wonder. “That was amazing! I want to hear more such stories!”

“Well, all right then,” Ciara smiled. “Let me think of another one…”

While Ciara was telling the children another story, Jonathan took a moment and got up, walking over to the window to open it. A part of him was unable to take his eyes off of Ciara. She had gathered Margaret and Henry around her, her melodious voice guiding their imagination to faraway lands where anything was possible… even him considering having children.

But that was a fleeting moment. Now, he needed another moment to himself, and the notion of opening the window seemed like a good excuse. However, he was not allowed even that semblance of privacy.

“She would make a wonderful mother, wouldn’t she?” He suddenly heard Rebecca’s voice behind him, spoken in a soft tone so as not to be overheard by the others. It was as if she could read his mind, wondering the same thing, then forbidding himself from even daring to think in that direction when he knew well that such a thing was impossible. He would never allow it.

Jonathan felt a pang in his chest. He turned to her, his expression carefully neutral. “That’s not happening,” he said firmly. That was not something he was willing to delve into or even discuss.

Rebecca raised an eyebrow, obviously sensing the tension in his voice. “Why not, Jonathan? Ciara is wonderful with children, and you know she would?—”

Jonathan cut her off, his tone sharper than he intended. “Rebecca, please. This is not a topic for discussion.”

Rebecca evidently wished to say something else, but Ciara’s voice interrupted her. “How about a game of Pall Mall? The weather is lovely, and it seems like such a waste to spend the afternoon inside.”

Everyone agreed wholeheartedly, and soon, they were out on the lawn, setting up for the game. Margaret and Henry cheered as the adults prepared their mallets and balls, eager to watch the friendly competition.

“Ready to lose, Your Grace?” Ciara teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Jonathan smirked with Rebecca’s words still lingering in his mind. He couldn’t quite focus on the present moment, but he tried his best. “Oh, you sweet thing… I never lose.”

The game began with light-hearted banter and laughter. Ciara’s competitive spirit shone through, and she surprised everyone with her skillful play. Margaret and Henry ran alongside, cheering and offering tips, their excitement infectious.

Ciara managed to take the lead, her precision and strategy impressing even Jonathan. As she lined up for the final shot, she gave him a challenging look. “This one’s for the win, Jonathan. Are you ready?”

Jonathan chuckled, though the sound was more subdued than usual. “Do your best, Duchess.”

With a decisive swing, Ciara sent her ball through the final hoop, securing her victory.

The children erupted in cheers, and Ciara did a small victory dance, her joy evident.

“I believe that makes me the champion,” she announced, grinning widely. “What do you say to that, Your Grace?”

Normally, Jonathan would have had a witty retort ready, but today, he felt a strange discomfort. Ciara’s laughter, her closeness, was stirring something within him that he wasn’t ready to face.

He forced a smile and nodded. “You played well, Duchess. Congratulations.”

Ciara noticed his lack of enthusiasm and tilted her head in concern. “Are you all right? You don’t seem yourself.”

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