Page 38 of Duchess By Accident
“Well, I think it would be best if we invited them to visit us at the castle. If we visit them at Emberly there is a chance everyone will turn up announced, and that may be a little overwhelming.” Natalie knew just how likely her family was to pop to the castle and a full Emberly gathering would be a lot for anyone.
“Do you think they will like me?” Melody tugged on Natalie’s sleeve.
She smiled at her. “I am sure they will adore you. Just as I do.”
“Melody!” a voice called from the house. “It is time for your lessons.”
“Coming!” Melody called back before turning to Natalie. “Will you apologise to Martha for me? And tell her I will come back after my lesson?”
Natalie looked at the oak tree and nodded. “Of course. I shall see you later.”
Melody paused, and then to Natalie’s surprise, through her arms around her. She hugged her back, and then the child was sprinting off, towards the house.
She felt the warmth of the girl’s trust spread through her and she walked towards the oak tree. Natalie touched a hand to it, and whispered Melody’s message. The rustle of the leaves made her feel like perhaps it was listening, and reminded her of Emberly.
“I will write to Rose and Alexander. Their children are closer in age to Melody, and I know they will be kind to her. And then I can see Peter.” Natalie nodded to herself.
The sun was high in the sky and Natalie decided to take the long way back to the castle. Although her battle with the Duke was amusing, it was doing very little to make her feel less lonely.
She began to walk through the Eastern garden, and spotted a flash of pink in one of the flower beds. Moving closer, she recognised the familiar spires of pink bells. Her heart began to beat faster.
“Surely I must be mistaken?” Natalie moved closer to the plant, but there was no mistaking that shape.
It was foxglove. She slipped on her gloves, then got on her knees and began pulling the flowers from the bed.
“Your Grace!” a panicked male voice called. “What are you doing?”
“Fetch the head gardener at once.” Natalie barked, refusing to stop pulling up the flowers. “And fetch me a trowel!”
She heard retreating footsteps and continued her work. Soon the pristine flower bed was a mangled mass of earth, the plants piled beside her.
“And just what do you think you are doing?” The Duke’s voice sounded from behind her. “I was willing to tolerate your little rebellion so long as it did not upset the staff, but you have gone too far.”
“This is not some act of rebellion. These flowers cannot remain here.” Natalie gestured to the pile of plants.
“Well, they definitely cannot remain here now you have uprooted them. If you think ruining the view on my morning walks will mean that you win this game between us, you have miscalculated indeed, Little Thief.”
“Not everything is about you.” Natalie retorted still pulling up the flowers.
“Is it not? Why else would you tear up perfectly good flowers? They have been here for years.” He gestured to the pile of detritus. “Melody loves when they bloom.”
Natalie felt her heart sink, panic flooding through her. “Then that is even more reason that they must be destroyed. They are-”
“- I will not let you harm my daughter. You will not take what little joy she has-”
“-I am trying to save her life!” Natalie was on her feet, blood roaring in her ears. “If you are too bullheaded to listen to me, then get out of my way.”
“You are being dramatic. Do not cross me.” His voice was cold and menacing. “I have been patient thus far, but I am not a saint. And I will not have you vandalising something that brings my daughter joy just to make some stupid point.”
“I am the one being dramatic? You are the one who is too stubborn to listen to a word that I say. I am trying to keep your daughter safe.” She made to turn towards the plants and resume her work, but he grabbed her wrist.
“You are lying to me.” He growled. “And do you know what I do to liars?”
Natalie saw red. She pulled her wrist from his grasp and prodded him hard in the chest. “I do not know, and I do not care. I do not care what you do to me, scream and shout and threaten me all you like. Lock me away and throw away the key, I will bite and kick and scream. You will not stop me from destroying these plants.”
At that moment the head gardener arrived, and Natalie turned to him, the anger flowing through her lending her strength even as she felt the Duke loom beside her.
“Your Grace?” the gardener bowed. “The lad said you wished to see me?”
