Page 32 of Her Duke for Thirty Days
An entire week had passed, and Phyllis still did not get used to her new home. Nothing about it felt right. The only place that offered some semblance of comfort was the library, but she was afraid to go there in the evenings, for fear of stumbling onto Alexander.
On his part, he seemed constantly locked up in his study, which she appreciated. She would share meals with his mother and less frequently with his brother, both of whom did their best to be polite and welcoming with her. They informed her that they were to leave within a couple of days, to allow the newlyweds some time alone, seeing it was their honeymoon. Phyllis pretended that she appreciated this, although the last thing she wanted was to be left in this grand castle all alone with the duke and her conflicting emotions.
That morning, they were to attend the wedding of her sister and the viscount. This was a much-anticipated event, as her father wanted it to be, and Phyllis did her best to keep her sadness locked away from the prying eyes of those around her. This was her sister’s dream come true and Phyllis would not ruin this moment for her. Not after all the sacrifice she had gone through.
She wore a gown she had purchased for the occasion, although it did little to make her feel beautiful or special, as gowns ought to do. Instead, she felt like a specter, a mere shell of her former self, having lost her path in life. She descended the grand staircase only to find Alexander waiting for her. He looked up, a small smile flickering upon his lips.
“You look lovely,” he said, a compliment which she attributed to his gentlemanly manners, not to the fact that she actually looked lovely enough to emphasize that.
“Thank you,” she replied not merely out of equal politeness, for she did notice that he looked rather dashing in his attire. “You also look very handsome.”
He nodded, offering her his hand. Silently, he led her to the carriage, where they boarded it and within seconds, they were on the road to the same little church where the two of them had gotten married. Now, it seemed like an entire lifetime ago. Phyllis looked out of the window at the rolling hills, the lush greenery and the blossoming wildflowers. Everything was in full bloom, but her. In her heart, winter reigned, and she doubted spring would ever come to melt all that snow.
“Is everything all right?” She suddenly heard Alexander’s voice.
She looked at him, forcing a smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
He shrugged. “This is the day of your sister’s wedding. You should be joyful, yet you seem preoccupied with something.”
She had to admit that she was surprised at his keen insight. She hadn’t mentioned anything. In fact, her behavior had not changed in any way, yet he could tell that there was something amiss. She almost wanted to thank him for that.
“When you love someone, you are always worried about them,” she replied. At least, she did not lie. This much was true. Only, she didn’t want to reveal what exactly was the cause of all her concern. She wondered if he would even understand.
“Family can be a source of love, but also a source of great concern,” he said, but it seemed that he was commenting on something else, a burden he himself carried, which somehow seemed to mirror his own.
“That is true,” she nodded, surprised that they found common ground in this. “But you are right, this is Joyce’s wedding day. I shouldn’t be concerned. I should be overjoyed.”
“Yes,” he smiled in a way she hadn’t seen him smile before. It was genuine, from the heart. There was no pretense about it. And for some reason, it made Phyllis afraid of her own self.
She looked away from him, her gaze focused on the window again. He didn’t say anything else for the remainder of the journey. The ceremony at the church was the same as theirs, and Phyllis couldn’t take her eyes off of her sister. She wondered if her sister would suffer the same fate as the other two women in their family, a fate that was worse than Phyllis’ own. However, every time her gaze locked with Joyce’s, she made sure to beam with joy and delight, reassuring her sister on the most important day of her life.
The wedding breakfast had them seated next to each other, but it was difficult to grab Joyce’s attention solely to herself. Her husband constantly held her hand in his, and other guests battled for her attention, to give her their well wishes. Upon starting that morning, Phyllis promised herself that she wouldn’t allow fear to wash over her. Joyce seemed blissfully happy and that was all that mattered.
So, when Joyce finally turned to her, bestowing upon her sister her full and undivided attention, Phyllis couldn’t help but speak the following words. “I hope I am wrong about marriages, Joyce. I really do…”
* * *
Alexander couldn’t help but overhear Phyllis’ words.
I hope I am wrong about marriages.
Those were her exact words, and they inflamed a blaze of curiosity inside him. He was well aware of the fact that her initial plan was never to marry at all. She had told him that much herself. But then, everything changed, and she pleaded for it. Now, her mysterious comment stirred his mind once more.
As soon as he captured her attention, he leaned closer to her, so that no one would eavesdrop on their conversation, as he knew how easily it could be done.
“I overheard your comment about marriages,” he said matter-of-factly. “Why do you believe marriages are such a bad thing?”
She frowned at him immediately, and he knew immediately that he had not gone about it the right way.
“Do you know what else is a bad thing?” she asked, her nostrils flaring up as she spoke, but she was still keeping her voice down to a whisper that only the two of them were able to hear. “Eavesdropping on other people’s conversations.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” he tried to defend himself. Partly, it was true. He was not actively trying to do it. He was able to because he was seated close enough to Phyllis… his wife. “You were speaking right next to me. I cannot very well turn deaf to the conversations that are within earshot.”
“Isn’t that a convenient excuse?” she replied, sounding irritated.
He decided to try another approach. “I did not ask that to argue with you. I’ve noticed how you were this morning, Phyllis. You were concerned… about your sister’s marriage?”
He could see immediately that he had disarmed her with his calm demeanor. She expected him to fight back, to bicker, but instead, he offered her reassurance and comfort. Perhaps that was what she truly needed.
