Page 3 of Her Cursed Duke
The Dowager Countess made a weak noise of dismissal but still accepted the hug Agnes offered, eyeing Silas when they parted.
He bowed to her and politely said, “Good day, my lady. I am Silas Oakley, the Duke of Forestwood and the lucky husband of your granddaughter.”
The Dowager Countess studied him for a moment and then tilted her head a little to the side to address Prudence. “I told you he would be a prim and proper sort.”
“Grandmother,” Agnes scolded lightly, feigning displeasure over the harmless jab at her husband.
“Fine, fine.” Her grandmother faced Silas again and urged him to stand straight with a wave of her hand. “It is wonderful to meet you, Your Grace. Something tells me you are a lot less high-strung than our dear Agnes. Please accept my deepest gratitude for taking this one in, and know that you are now bonded to her for life. In the event that she comes after you with her stubbornness, we will not be taking her back if you wish to return her to us.”
“Grandmother!” Agnes gasped, aghast.
Silas winked at her with a little laugh. “Do not worry, my lady. It would give me no greater joy than to have her by my side for the rest of our lives. She might be stubborn, but so am I. I shall persevere.”
“Ugh, young love. A disturbing sentiment, as always. I wish you both happiness and all the other things that matrimony should be blessed with, I suppose.” Martha sighed as though it was a bothersome task to wish them well.
“Thank you, Grandmother,” Agnes said, looking slightly confused about whether or not the Dowager Countess had actually meant her words.
Prudence, sensing that her grandmother was very likely about to say something else outlandish, jumped to her feet and suggested, “Would you like a tour of the country house? It might not be as grand as Forestwood Mansion, but it is still lovely.”
“Prudence.” Martha tutted with a shake of her head. “You know we do not have the time for that today.”
Prudence blinked, confused. “We… do not?”
Her grandmother sighed, looking like she had been saddled with a burden only she could bear. She shook her head again. “Dear girl, I worry about you, sometimes. The tour will have to wait until later, and even if you fail to give it, experience is a seasoned and trustworthy teacher. They will eventually learn to make their way around after they get lost a handful of times. We have a previous engagement that cannot be missed.”
Prudence gasped, suddenly recalling what it was. “Oh! Is it today? I am sorry, I forgot.”
“It is all right, dear. The entire household was quite fortunate to bear witness to days filled with your wistful sighs as you anticipated the arrival of Agnes. It is a wonder how you even remembered my existence, with how consumed you were with thoughts of your sister.”
Agnes cooed, reaching for her blushing sister as their grandmother continued.
“Our neighboring estate is hosting a summer garden party in honor of the birthday of its resident, the Duke of Serpenhood. And we have been invited to attend. Agnes, you and your husband are welcome to join us if you are not too weary from your travels.”
Silas smiled at his wife, leaving the decision up to her, and she nodded. “We would be honored, Grandmother.”
“Your attachment to formalities is slightly disturbing, dear. You could just say ‘all right,’ but anyway… You should go and freshen up. We will leave in an hour. Whoever is not ready then will be left behind.”
With an air of finality, the Dowager Countess turned away and walked out of the drawing room.
“I feel as though I should know better than to want to test this theory, but… she would not really leave us behind, right?” Silas lightly questioned with a grin.
Prudence sighed, not wanting to be the bearer of bad news but aware that she had no other choice. “She would. She really would.”
Chapter Two
“We must wake him up! The party will begin soon, and the Dowager Marchioness desires for him to be by her side to welcome the guests as they arrive.”
“That is good and fine, but I cannot wake him up. I still possess the will to live and a family to care for. What would my wife do if I were to perish here today? It would devastate her.”
“And do you think my mother would not grieve my passing?”
The servants spoke in hushed tones that bore with them a sharpness that could be heard in every word they said, the apprehension and fear evident on their faces as they debated on what to do. They were quickly running out of time and still had much to do, all of which would be futile if they were unable to rouse the Duke.
“You should do it,” a footman urged the Duke’s valet. “You are personally responsible for his care, are you not? This is part of your duties as well.”
The valet paled and shook his head. “I have not held onto this position for very long, and as such, I had never had to wake him up before. He was always awake, and most of the time, he had already put his affairs in order, leaving me with almost nothing to do.”
“Darn it!” another footman wailed, stepping forward with a raised fist as though he wanted to knock on the door to the Duke’s private chambers, only to falter at the last second. “I am terrified. What if he is so angry that he flies into a fit of rage? Or worse, his curse…”
