Page 39 of Duchess By Accident
“Do you know what this plant is?” Natalie gestured to the plants on the ground.
“It is foxglove.” The gardener looked puzzled.
Natalie gaped at him, shock and fury warring within her. “Why have you allowed it to remain here?”
“Well, it’s a very useful flower. It can be used in the treatment of some maladies in little doses.” The gardener gave the Duke a nonplussed look.
“You see? There is noth-” The Duke began a satisfied smile on his face, but Natalie would not let him finish. “For adults. It is still in its infancy and it is safe in very, very small doses for adults. It is deadly to children.”
She clenched her fist, tears forming in her eyes as she said, “A little girl died last year, in the village near my brother’s estate. We attended the funeral and watched her parents fall to pieces. All because someone decided to plant foxglove in their garden.”
“What do you mean?” Adrian’s voice was soft.
“She was playing with the foxglove. Pretending there were fairies in the flowers. She had a little friend with her, and it is a miracle the other girl survived. It is almost always little girls.” Nataliewrapped her arms around herself. “And I refuse to let Melody be one of them.”
There was a beat of silence. The gardener’s face lost all of its pallor.
The Duke turned to him, his voice dangerously quiet. “Did you know this could harm a child?”
“Only if they were able to play with it.” The gardener took a step backwards.
“How much would it take to be fatal?” The Duke demanded.
“Very little.” Natalie gestured to the plants. “It is why I did not touch it without gloves. Why I will ensure I wash before I see Melody and instruct the servants to wash my clothes as well. To be honest, I would burn them if I thought it safer.”
“I see.” The Duke did not look at her, his eyes were fixed on the gardener who was starting to shake. “If I understand my wife correctly. You have allowed these plants to remain here, knowing they could kill my daughter.”
“With respect, your Grace, Lady Melody is rarely without supervision. She is a sensible child.” The gardener took another step back. “I do not think I have ever seen her without an adult by her side.”
“She is still a child.” The Duke clenched his fist, fury emanating from him. “That you did not even think to inform me of the danger they posed is concerning enough. Allowing them to remain planted for years... She might have died.”
“Your Grace, I-” the gardener stammered.
“I have half a mind to treat your life with the same disregard you have treated my daughter’s.” The Duke stepped towards the gardener, his fingers flexing, every movement promising violence.
Natalie reacted instinctively, putting herself between her husband and the cowering man on the floor. “Do not do this.”
“Get out of my way.” The Duke hissed, his eyes narrowed.
All of the cool, calculated control had vanished. This rage was primal. The fox had been replaced by a panther that had sighted its prey.
“You do not need to harm him. Yes, he has been thoughtless. But you need not harm your own soul for his foolishness. That will not help Melody.” She pressed a hand against his chest as he took another step towards her. “Think. He is not worth losing control.”
She could feel the thunder of his heart beneath her fingers, the tenseness of his muscle. His eyes were wild and furious, but she did not move.
They stayed, locked together while the gardener cowered behind them.
“Please, Adrian. Do not do this.” She said his name softly, hoping it would shock him enough to come back to reality.
Grey eyes met hers. The fire faded away. He shook his head and his chest practically vibrated beneath her hand as he forced his anger back under control.
Natalie released the breath she did not realise she had been holding. The Duke took a step backwards, his fists clenched tight. Natalie turned to the head gardener.
“Your services are no longer required.” She said gesturing to the man. “See that your things are packed at once.”
“Your Grace – please, she cannot –” the head gardener began, looking at the Duke.
“- she is the Duchess. She has every right to do exactly as she has done. Do not add disrespecting your betters to your list of crimes.” Adrian moved to stand beside her. “Unless you wish for me to take this to the magistrate, then you will agree to ending your contract. You will have a month’s pay, under the condition that you are to take yourself as far from my lands as possible. You will have a reference as well.”
