Page 5 of Her Cursed Duke
The Duke chose not to respond after that, glaring fiercely at his godmother, who returned the stare without flinching. The showdown lasted a few moments, ending in the Dowager Marchioness’s favor as her godson relented, tossed the sheets off his body, and rose to his feet.
“Good boy.” She smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek and pat his head. “I am sure you’ll have a wonderful time today. So, get ready as quickly as you can and meet me downstairs, all right?”
Aiden stared down at her, unable to keep himself from smiling at the one person who had made his life moderately bearable up until this point, no matter how she tended to infuriate him.
“All right. I will be down soon.”
The castle was lively with the hustle and bustle of servants making last-minute preparations for the party. Although it was to take place outside in the magnificent garden on the grounds of the estate, it was still a wonderful opportunity to show off the splendor of Serpenhood Castle. And so, while the finishing touches were being made outside, maids and footmen were ensuring that nothing was out of place on the inside.
Aiden had gotten dressed as quickly as he could, and even though he would much rather have stayed in his chambers until the party had begun—or have feigned an illness in order to not attend at all—he knew his godmother would very well make good on her promise to drag him from the room and set out to find her.
The servants he met on his way downstairs bowed respectfully, but he did not miss the look of fear and scorn in their eyes. Their hushed voices carried scared whispers that he could hear, and he wondered if perhaps he should have fought harder to stay in bed.
“Did you hear? The servants that went to wake him up earlier were almost cursed!”
“How horrible! How could one be so cruel?”
“He is not called the Cursed Duke for his benevolent nature. It is unfair that this occasion has been dedicated to celebrating him.”
Aiden agreed with that last remark, as he also had gripes about this event. He had lost all interest in celebrating his birthdays after his eleventh one, and this whole affair had already worn him out before it even began. He was merely going along with it because his godmother requested it. As stubborn as he felt he had the right to be, he still preferred to do what the Dowager Marchioness wished because he knew it made her happy.
But he knew what this party would be like, and he was sure he would spend every moment hating it. The outcome was always the same among other people—the snide remarks, claims of knowing victims of his “curse,” and looks of disdain. One would think that he would have gotten used to it after years of being on the receiving end of such treatment, but attending this party meant willingly subjecting himself to it.
“Oh, there you are, darling.” His godmother smiled at him once he arrived at her side. “You look wonderful, dear.”
“As though I could ever dream of rivaling your flawlessness. It seems like it is only I who has aged all these years,” Aiden commented, taking her hand and raising it to his lips.
“Oh my, I did not know that you had grown into quite the charmer. Wonderful. It will come in handy today,” she replied, her eyes sparkling in excitement.
Aiden frowned in confusion, his eyes widening when he understood what she was implying. “Godmother—”
“Aiden,” she said in the same tone he had used to address her. “You have grown into a fine young man, and it has been the joy of my life watching you arrive at this point. I truly could not be prouder of you, but in as much as it appears that there might be nothing else I can teach you, it does not mean I cannot do more for you.”
“Still, I would really rather you did not do this. I am content with the way things are. You are more than enough family for me,” Aiden pressed, hoping to dissuade her from the notions in her head.
“But what about a wife? Saying you are content with things like this is settling for the barest that life can offer. You deserve companionship, the strength and warmth of another. Dare I say… love, perhaps. You are now twenty-nine years of age. It is the perfect time to start considering a less dreary future.”
“I will do that when I am well and ready,” he replied, lying through his teeth.
Unfortunately, his godmother had practically raised him, so she could hear the deceit in his words and returned the sentiment on equal footing.
“All right, then. Think of it this way. Nothing permanent has to come from today’s party. You will simply meet with and engage a few young ladies in conversation, and if any of them catches yourattention, you may pursue her. If none do, it can’t be helped. I will not force you to do more than that,” she reasoned gently, in a tone she had used a lot when he was younger as she coaxed him out of hiding to eat.
Aiden pursed his lips, knowing that there was no reason to argue, as he was guaranteed to lose. So, he sighed, letting his shoulders droop in defeat. “All right, I will do as you ask.”
One afternoon of socialization probably would not mark his end. And if it pleased his godmother, then it would be a sacrifice worth his efforts.
“Excellent.” She clapped her hands in delight. “Now, our guests should be arriving soon, so we must go down to greet them.”
Aiden held out his elbow to her, telling himself that the sooner he went on with this, the sooner it would end.
“Lead the way, my lady.”
“I think it might be our first attendance to a party away from home,” Agnes said to her husband with a bright smile. “I am feeling oddly excited. I did not usually care for such affairs.”
“Perhaps it is your possessive yet somewhat prideful nature that is aching to show off your wonderful husband,” Silas replied with a fond expression.
“Please, we are almost at Serpenhood Castle. Leave your displays of marital contentment for the masses.” Martha sighed in disdain. “You have been at it for quite a while already. How I am supposed to endure this every day for the next six weeks is beyond me.”
