The Duke and I - Post Episode 8 stories

Simon's Safety

Daphne gazed out the window in the library and admired the scene that lay outside, the snow was slowly falling around Clyvedon house casting a dusting on the grounds. She was nestled on the lounge beside the fire, with Adam who fell asleep holding her baby bump. His soft, bouncy curls sprawled across her belly, and she was grateful how he already loved his new baby sibling, because Daphne knew that feeling would not last. Take one look at her and Eloise, they would die for one another, but would also mock the living daylights of out each other as well. Adam turned 1 a few months ago, and he was perfect in every way possible. He was the happiest baby Daphne had seen, quite curious as he explored everything he could, learnt very quickly and was walking much sooner than expected, which sent Simon into a spiral of worries.

"What if he runs into a table, and damages his head? What if he climbs and falls?" Were the common ones, and Daphne had laughed each time, but her heart also stung a bit as she realized he never grew up around siblings, or any babies really. He genuinely had no idea. She had reassured him, and swooned at how protective and loving he was towards Adam, being the father she never doubted he would be.

Daphne stroked his back, taking a deep breath as she reveled in the blissfully quiet moment she was granted. Her eyes fluttered, willing her to sleep, and she would not be able to fight it much longer. Being with child made her sleepy, but being near Simon, make her very much awake, and she wanted to wait until he arrived from the ton to go to bed together. They did things different than most couples, which took the staff a bit to get used to, but now they no longer question when Simon calls off Daphne's lady maids, or how they choose to sleep in the same room post-child birth. They were tied to one another, heart and soul. Their children would witness a love-match first hand, and she smiled as she imagined Simon kissing her in front of them as they age, grossing them out.

The door to the library busted open, which never happened as the staff always knocked, and Simon would never be so rough. Daphne rose quickly, holding Adam close to her chest, feeling a threat that she could not see, but sent chills down her spine. Mrs. Coulson rushed through the door, her eyes full of panic.

"What is it?" Daphne asked, her breath steady as she tried to control her emotions, but her eyes revealed the fear hidden within.

"I do not know for certain, but your grace was to return two hours ago... I cannot help but think something has gone wrong," she said, her eyes not meeting Daphne's.

Daphne felt as if she was winded, and her knees buckled as she tried to catch her breath. She had not realized the time that passed, and yes, he should have been here by now. He had gone to the ton to deal with business as usual, a task that is never that lengthy to complete.

Mrs. Coulson's eyes widened as she spoke "Your grace please sit, you are with child. Just take a deep breath, there is nothing we can do but wait. Maybe the snow is to blame," she added, regretting bringing this to her attention now. As much as she hated to admit it, Mrs. Coulson had grown very fond of the Duchess, and the life she brought to the household, literally and figuratively.

Daphne couldn't move, her body was paralyzed by fear. She could hear her talking, but it was muffled, blurred, as she could only think of Simon, dead. It had started snowing, making the travels more dangerous she'd imagine, as the horses would slip along the slick cobblestone in the ton. An image crossed her mind, Simon in the snow, cold and alone. The pain in her heart was fierce, having felt nothing like it before, but bared similarity to the feeling of losing her father. No, she thought, she would not sit here and do nothing. She carefully passed Adam to Mrs. Coulson, whose face was bewildered and would call for Rose as she did not deal with children, and made her way towards the door.