Page 35 of The Artisan and the Duke
Jules sought to turn the conversation away from weddings and engagements by asking, “Has your barrister made any progress on helping the guild?”
The Duke sighed, “It appears that the judge, who I know and have spoken to, is being swayed into labelling them as revolutionaries. I am doing all I can to see that they are set free.”
“It is precarious for you?” Jules asked as she noticed the change in the man’s tone.
The Duke nodded hesitantly. “I must tell you a few things that you should know before you step into your role as Duchess, Jules,” he said softly as he led her to a bench.
The use of her Christian name by the man gave Jules pause, and she sat down next to him as she watched him eagerly. “Is everything okay?”
“Things have not been well for the House of Thornton for some time. I told you that I was set to go off to war, but due to my father’s death, I had to remain,” the Duke said quietly.
When Jules nodded, he continued, “My father died while out hunting, and had I not been delayed by weather, I would have been already out of the country by the time that word got back to my mother.”
Jules frowned. “I don’t think I understand,” she said softly.
“I would have been gone, and with me gone, Fredrick would have had to step in as head of the family until I could return home,” the Duke said with a sigh. “As it was, my uncle showed up with the news of my father’s demise.
He was surprised to see me and quite eager to encourage me to continue with my plans to go to war. My mother, however, insisted that I stay and take on my father’s mantle while Fredrick took my place on the war front.”
Jules shook her head and asked incredulously, “Do you think your uncle was trying to usurp the line of succession?”
“If I had died at war, and something had befallen my brother, then the title would have been his. He has already tried other avenues to gain rank. He even tried to woo mother after father’s death, but mother has always blamed Lawrence for my father’s unexpected demise,” the Duke said solemnly.
“This must remain here with you. It is very important that while we all know of my uncle’s designs, we do not do him any dishonour. He has many friends in the House of Lords that would love nothing more than to promote my uncle to be a peer in my place.”
Jules nodded slowly. She could not imagine having family like that. “No wonder nobles are always so distrustful and mean-spirited,” Jules said in disgust. “I will keep your counsel to myself, Gregory.”
The Duke gave her a smile and took her hand in his. “I have no doubt that you will,” he said softly. “Come. We need to get back before Uncle paints us liberally with his brush of dishonesty.”
“With everything going on, why do you go out as you do into the streets?” Jules asked as she rose with the Duke.
As they turned to walk towards the house, the man shrugged. “I have little I can do about my uncle and his schemes currently, so I choose to focus on things that I can change.”
“So you seek our wrongs because you are frustrated?” Jules asked with a soft laugh.
The Duke inclined his head towards her as they walked and said, “You can look at it like that.”
***
Jules would have liked to hold council with her mother. She longed to tell her all that she knew and ask the woman’s advice. As it was, she sat with Sherry, and they pondered things. Jules sighed. “I do not know what to do,” she said in frustration.
“What is there to know, Miss?” Sherry asked in confusion. “You seem to wish to help the Duke. Perhaps marrying him is just the thing he needs. After all, once he marries and has children, there is very little his uncle can do to get the title.”
Jules nodded slowly. “The very idea of children makes my stomach feel like it is going to flutter to pieces,” Jules admitted.
Sherry giggled. “I think that is normal,” she said with a smile.
“I know that you want me to marry him, but what about the things that brought me here, Sherry? Should I just abandon my fellows and leave them to their fates?” Jules shook her head sadly. “Would they understand that what I am doing, I do for them?”
Sherry admonished, “You can’t live your life in service of those who would look down upon you for bettering yourself.”
Jules smiled at Sherry. She knew the woman was right, but those in the guild had been there for her when her father had gotten sick. Just as she understood the loss of a father, she understood the pressure the Duke must be under.
“I shall tell him that I will agree,” Jules said at last. Sherry looked so happy that Jules thought the woman might actually start to cry. “You will attend me at the ceremony, won’t you?”
Sherry looked completely taken aback. “You really wish me to attend you?”
“You are my only friend,” Jules said softly. “Where would I be without you there?”
