Page 74 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

“The staff?”

“They locked us purposely in my study yesterday—I am sure of it. But that is what pushed me over the edge. I might have only spent ten minutes with Margaret, but it was the first real time I have spent with her since coming to London, and it served to remind me just how special she is. When I thought about raising a child with her, I couldn’t think about her not being by my side.”

“You are finally coming to your senses,” said Parker.

“I think I am,” said Arthur. “She came to speak to me yesterday, and I think she was feeling me out. I know that she has feelings for me, but I think she wanted to know if I have feelings for her before declaring anything, but I am not going to let her do that.”

“You are not?”

“No. I am going to be the one to declare my feelings to her. You said that I was more of a man for accepting my feelings and dealing with them, and I think I am doing that, and now, I have to prove myself more of a man by declaring what I feel for Margaret.”

“And, what do you feel for Margaret?” asked Parker with a smile.

“You are really going to make me say it, aren’t you? It should be Margaret who hears this first, but the whole world should know. I love Margaret. It took me some time to figure it out and to accept that I could love someone, but I know what I feel. I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

“I am glad to hear you finally say that. I mean, for the rest of us, it was pretty obvious. I think you are the last to know that you love her. And, you don’t have to worry about Margaret loving you back. Anyone who spends a little time in both of your companies knows that she loves you. You only need to see the way she looks at you. So, what does this mean?”

“I don’t fully know, but I need to talk to Margaret. We have a future to plan.”

“And children?” asked Parker.

“I have been set free,” replied Arthur. “I don’t need to have children only for my father anymore. I really was overjoyed when she announced she was pregnant, and I hope that she wants more children. I want a large family, and if you are Elspeth are moving to York, I hope that you want a large family too. Our children will practically be cousins.”

“There is only one thing you are still messing up,” said Parker.

“What is that?” asked Arthur.

“You shouldn’t still be here talking to me. You should not be wasting another second telling me that you love Margaret, you should be telling her. I mean, I am glad that you came to me to work through this, but you don’t need to work through anything. You know how you feel, Arthur. Go back and tell your wife how you feel.”

“Thank you,” said Arthur. He grabbed Parker and pulled him in for a hug. A few people in the park watched on as the two men embraced for a long time. Arthur had not thought he would ever love, but he had a wife, and his family was growing around him. He could not wait to tell Aunt Bertha especially. She would be overjoyed at the news.

“Go,” said Parker. “I have some errands to run, but I will return soon, and we will celebrate this news. You are a good man, Arthur. And Margaret is going to be a fine wife. I am so happy for the two of you.”

Arthur felt tears come to his eyes. He pulled his friend in for one more embrace, patting him on the back before they finally broke free of each other. They parted ways, each going off in the opposite direction.

As he was walking back to the house, his mind went back to the kiss. That is what had finally opened his eyes. In his heart, he had always known that he had wanted to spend his days with Margaret, but something was blocking him in his mind—a locked door. The kiss had unlocked the door, and his feelings had come flooding in.

It had felt right. The kiss reminded him of what he already knew. Ever since Margaret had announced that she was pregnant, he had felt some loss—the loss of a beautiful woman in his bed. He had wished that she was not pregnant so he could enjoy her body one more time. A yearning for Margaret had been awakened inside of him.

Arthur almost ran back to the house. He was certain in his feelings for his wife, and there was not a moment to lose. Even a minute wasted would be a loss. He had to have her right now—had to tell her how he felt, and then he had to have her in his bed. He wanted to feel her curves again against his body, her touch on him, look into her eyes as he made love to her.

When he got to the house, he threw open the doors like a king entering a great hall before the butler could get there. The butler came running, a worried look on his face that he had not made it to the door in time to open it.

“Have you seen the duchess?” asked Arthur.

“I have not, Your Grace,” said the butler. “I presume she is still in her room. I have not seen her on the lower levels.”

Arthur nodded and bounded past the butler, some pep in his step. He flew up the stairs and to his wife’s room. After today, they would not need to have separate rooms anymore. He knocked on the door and waited. When there was no answer, he knocked again and was met with silence. He did not want to invade Margaret’s privacy, but he was worried that something had happened.

The door slid open, and the duke peeked in, but he could not see his wife. He stepped into the room and found it empty. Arthur checked the closet, suddenly worried that his wife had made up her mind to leave, but he found all of her clothes and belongings there—her bags too.

When he left the room, he almost bumped into the maid.

“Have you seen the duchess?” asked Arthur.

“I saw her walking on the grounds, Your Grace. But that was over an hour ago. Has she not returned?” asked the maid.

“She must be taking a long walk this morning,” said the duke. He left the maid in the hallway, but he was starting to get worried. He ran down the stairs, taking them two at a time. The butler was there, and he was engaged in conversation with two of the staff. Arthur did not want to worry himself, but those around were starting to become worried—feeding off his emotions.

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