Page 4 of Her Cursed Duke
The other men shuddered at the thought. They had all heard the stories, even before they had come to work at Serpenhood Castle, of the cursed Duke with a poor temperament. It was said that if his rage did not manage to end a servant, his curse would undoubtedly finish the job, bringing an early demise to whosoever managed to upset him. The alleged rumors stated that those the Duke cherished or even so much as touched were fated to die, and it was enough motivation for others to remain on their best behavior around him.
“I really do not want to die,” the valent whined quietly, rubbing his hands over his face.
“Good day, gentlemen.”
The men jumped upon hearing the soft voice, immediately bowing.
“My lady! I apologize, we did not—” the valet stammered.
“Oh my.” The Dowager Marchioness sighed, noticing the closed door. “Has he not woken up yet? That simply will not do.”
To their utter shock, she reached for the door handle, opened the door, and strode in casually, as though she were the rightful owner of the room. She went straight to the Duke’s bed, tutting in disappointment at the covered lump lying on it. Gently, she tugged the sheets away until a messy mop of dark blonde hair was revealed.
“Aiden,” she called softly, running her fingers through the wild locks in an attempt to tame them into something more appealing to the eye. “Dear, you must wake up. It is almost time for the party to begin.”
The Duke groaned and pressed his face into his pillow, clearly not intending to leave the bed. The Dowager Marchioness sighed and reached for his head again… only this time, she pinched his ear and used her grip on it to urge him to rise.
The Duke cried out, sitting up in an attempt to follow her pull, glaring at her when she finally released his ear.
“There! Much better. You cannot sleep anymore, Aiden, lest you be late for your own party, and that would be poor manners for a host to display.”
“Godmother, was that necessary?” Aiden complained, rubbing at his stinging ear.
“I think it was, seeing as my efforts to rouse you were going unnoticed. You left me no other choice. Now, up you go!”
Aiden sighed but made no move to rise out of bed, folding his arms with a frown. “I am in no mood for socialization today. You can attend the party without me.”
“I most certainly cannot! For one, it is being held in your honor, remember? We are celebrating your birthday! You should be excited!”
“My birthday was five days ago. And it came and passed like all my birthdays before—mundane and simple, the way I prefer it. You are merely looking for an excuse to throw a party, and I distinctly remember telling you I wanted no part of it,” Aiden pointed out.
“You know I decided to move celebrations to a day when many guests would be available to attend. Regardless of the schedule, you should celebrate such a wonderful milestone in your life. Additionally, you know yours is always my preferred form of company—as difficult as you might be, sometimes. If you do not attend with me, I fear my already weak heart will cave in on itself from the loneliness.”
“How would you even be lonely? You are hosting a party!”
His godmother sniffed indignantly and stated firmly, “I require your presence, and that is all that is to be said on the matter. Now, will you behave and get out of bed, or do I need to have the footmen drag you away from it?”
Aiden narrowed his eyes at her. “You would not dare.”
“Is that a chance you wish to take?” she challenged, meeting his stare with the same amount of seriousness.
“I honestly do not know why you insist on having me insert myself into high society. I do not wish to rub elbows with people who view me as a plague upon the earth. And you are well aware that there is no escaping that ideal. I have accepted that, so perhaps you should.”
“Aiden.” She sighed, her eyes alight with pity, an emotion he detested.
He remained firm, aware he might lose this battle because she was the very same person from whom he had gotten his stubborn streak. Still, his defeat would not come from lack of trying.
“There is nothing for me to celebrate, Godmother. I am somehow still alive, while many are not—because of me. I’d rather not make merriment over that. I’ve never wished to.”
Aiden knew that he was likely laying it too thickly, an action that would have dire consequences, should his godmother decide to become emotional over his callous attitude. But there was a sliver of hope that she might just indulge him, this once.
However, when she inhaled deeply and opened her mouth, he knew his odds were much less than he had thought.
“Well then, celebrate on my behalf. Think of it this way. Your life is a sign of my own good health and well-being. If I were any less capable, you might not be here now, arguing with me over a simple matter of attendance,” she argued.
“If it is so simple, let me be excused from it, then.”
“Absolutely not. Aiden, get out of your bed right this instance before I summon the servants to haul you out.”
