The Perfect Duchess (Completed)

Chapter 6. 1795 

The following morning, Camille opened her eyes and found a bouquet of three pink roses tied with a gold silk ribbon resting in a crystal vase on her dressing table. Looking closer, she noticed that the trio of roses had a small box beside them. Climbing out of bed, she walked to her dressing table and carefully untied the box from the bundle of flowers. Opening it, she first found a hand written note. Removing it from the box, she unfolded it and read what was written.
Ma cherie Camille,
I believe this beautiful necklace would go perfectly with your lovely blue eyes. I know for a fact that the blue diamond is going to make them shine and sparkle.
Yours,
James
Camille was smiling from ear to ear as she put down the Duke of York's letter and turned her attention back to the box. Looking inside, her hand flew to her mouth to stifle her gasp as she saw the necklace. It was composed of blue and white diamonds, shaped as a butterfly. The chain was gold and gleaming, the diamonds glittering beneath the rising sunlight. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen.
Picking up the necklace, Camille ran her fingertips across the butterflies wings. She was going to wear that necklace as often as possible. And if this was the first gift that James was giving her, she had no idea what the rest of his gifts would be. Much less what his other notes would contain. However, she had a feeling that every note and every jewel was going to be beautiful. And chosen with care.
Hearing Genevieve summoning her by the ring of a silver bell, Camille carefully put the necklace back into the box, placed the note back into the box, and put the box in the top drawer of her dressing table. Smelling the roses, she turned and quickly got dressed before making her way upstairs to be with her mistress.
***
By the beginning of November, nearly 3 weeks after she began to receive the Duke of York's gifts and notes, Camille felt as if she was the luckiest girl in all of London. Each note that James gave her, along with each piece of jewelry, brought them closer and closer together. They also had the opportunity to spend more time together when they weren't involved with duties. It was quite clear that there was a Blossom and Romance between them, and everyone was noticing it. Including Richard.
One evening, Camille was just finishing up reading yet another note from James complementing her on her intelligence, which was accompanied by a beautiful gold bracelet with a pink and white diamond butterfly pendant, when she heard the door to her chamber open. Startled, she glanced up and felt her face become pale as she saw Richard standing in the doorway. Quickly putting her beloved's gift away, she stood up and dropped into a curtsy. Good evening your majesty."
Richard glared at her. "Good evening. It seems you and the Duke of York have become rather close."
Camille swallowed hard. "Yes we have your majesty."
Richard came forward, taking her by the shoulders and pulling her against him. His dark gray eyes bore into her blue ones. "Do you realize how badly I want you?"
Camille started shaking with panic. "Your majesty please, I don't want you."
Richard's fingers tightened on her shoulders. "That's a shame, because I want you. Genevieve and I have not had any luck so far with conceiving our first son. I'm getting rather frustrated with that."
Camille. "I'm very sorry about that your majesty, but I'm sure the queen is going to become pregnant very soon."
Richard growled. "Well it's taking too bloody long! I want my son now!"
Camille struggled against him as his hands roamed her body. She was shaking with panic, her heart pounding. She had to get away. She couldn't be ruined, not by Richard. She knew what she needed to do, and it wasn't just going to be another punch to the face. Taking a deep breath, she let forth a bloodcurdling scream of panic before kicking Richard in his groin and running out of her chamber.
Running as fast as she could toward the staircase, Camille felt as if she was suffocating. Richard was about to ruin her. And all because he wanted a son so desperately and couldn't wait for Genevieve to become pregnant. She had just reached the bottom of the marble staircase when she felt a hand reach out and grab her wrist. She struggled for a few moments until she heard a familiar voice behind her.
James. "Camille, what's the matter? Are you all right?"
Camille instantly stopped struggling, turning to face her beloved. Those gorgeous green eyes had her calming down almost immediately. Without even thinking, she threw her arms around the young gentleman's neck and started sobbing. "James, I need your help."