I spent a night with a mysterious Duke

chapter 01

Chapter 01:

"You're with a child," the old woman repeated, her words echoing in my mind as if on a loop. My head spun, and the world went black.

"My lady, please wake up. We need to go back home before it gets dark," my friend's voice pierced through the darkness as I slowly regained consciousness. Gasping for air, I was greeted by a strong, unpleasant smell. "What was that smell?" I demanded, my anger rising. The old woman smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You don't want to know," she replied cryptically.

With Olivia's, my friend's help, I managed to stand up. She looked at me with a mix of worry and relief. "Be careful, my lady. You fainted just minutes ago," she cautioned. As the events of the encounter replayed in my mind, I realized the gravity of the situation, of my situation. "I am with a child !" the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. The old woman observed me closely, her gaze piercing. "You have tow week to decide what to do. Keep the child or kill it." she trailed off, leaving the unspeakable option hanging in the air. My mind raced as I grappled with the weight of my decision. I had never imagined finding myself in such a predicament, and I was at a loss for what to do.

Back at the manor, tears stained my cheeks as I lay on my bed, consumed by guilt and fear. Olivia, my loyal friend and confidante, offered me a glass of water and tried her best to comfort me. "You must never consider a child as misfortune, my lady," she reminded me gently. Her words pierced through my despair, offering a glimmer of hope  that I need amidst the darkness. But self-blame gnawed at me relentlessly. I replayed the events of that fateful night in my mind, tormented by regret and shame.

Morning dawned, and I reluctantly emerged from my chambers to join my family for breakfast. Their suspicious glances did not go unnoticed, but I feigned ignorance, masking my turmoil behind a facade of composure.
"Good morning father, mother, Edwina, Edward, Erwin"
My parents and sister and beloved brothers looked at me suspiciously.
"Oh good morning Emilia dear" replied my father with a kind smile. " Look who finally decided to join us, I see you're no longer upset?" Added my mother ," why would I be upset" I asked curiously " Because you had an argument about marriage with mother three weeks ago, have you lost your mind sister ?" Smirked Edwina.
I totally forgot about the argument I had with mother after I refused the proposal of the Archduke's son. I know he was a good person, but they all know that I hate the idea of marriage, specially that I passed the night with the duke a weak before the proposal. I sat at the table and I served myself a cup of tea and took a bite of the biscuit.

A letter from Viscount Pembroke House interrupted the uneasy silence. The butler came and gave my father a letter which he opened immediately. "What is the letter saying dear " asked my mother ," read it for everyone honey " he gave her the piece of paper and she read it out loud

"Dear Count and Countess Whitmore

I hope this letter finds you both in excellent spirits. It is with great pleasure that I extend to you both and children an invitation to attend the grand ball taking place at Viscount Pembroke House three days from now.

The ball promises to be an exquisite evening filled with enchanting music, sumptuous delicacies, and delightful company. Your presence would undoubtedly enhance the splendor of the event, and it would be an honor to have you grace us with your esteemed company.

The festivities will commence promptly at Six Pm and continue into the night, providing ample opportunity for merriment and revelry. Attire for the occasion is formal, and we encourage guests to dress in their most elegant attire.

Please convey your response at your earliest convenience, as we eagerly anticipate the pleasure of your company. Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

With warm regard
House Pembroke "

" Mother I have nothing elegant to wear to the ball" cried Edwina." Take one of you sister dresses three days is not enough to to prepare a new dress, beside at least someone will be Wear those exquisite dresses at least for once ", Edwina looked at me with pleading eyes " Yes you can wear any dress of mine Edwina " I rolled my eyes at her." Your coming too Emilia, one month confined to your chamber is enough, and this time you have to find a man you are practically a spinster" said mother with a tone that says that there is no room for negotiation.

Panic gripped me as I realized If I refuse to go I'll be suspected of something, and if I go I'm afraid that my morning sickness that started before  the day I visited the old lady will break my composure. "Wonderful !
The pressure to conform to societal expectations is...I find it sofucating, that is why I decided not to burden my mind with it. And now that I am with a child if I happen to be found out I will be a disgrace to my family, which should never happen.

As the approaching of the ball beginning, I had a headache, and I'm caught in an uncertainty. The decision looming before me was one that would irrevocably alter the course of my life, and I was painfully aware that time was running, but I can't bring myself to decide. As soon as we were at Mr Pembroke manor, the first thing that catches my eyes was the house, I could see that he spent a fortune to build and decorate it it is nearly extravagant if I might say, this is not my dream residence. My mother loved it, she loves things being extra...Mother have different tastes from her children.

My sister might be 15 but she is much more like me than anyone  I know, I might be the eldest  but I consider her my twin even though we are different and  she's smarter and intelligent than I am, if I were like her I wouldn't be carrying a child of a man that I saw only twice in my life,  that dangerous man, it is true that I don't remember all the details of what happened between us but I can't deny it.

Mister Pembroke and his wife were approaching while dragging a gentle man with them.

" Viscount Pembroke, Lady Pembroke," my mother greeted them with her usual grace. "It's a pleasure to be here."

"The pleasure is all ours, Countess Whitmore," Lady Pembroke replied, her eyes twinkling. "May I introduce our esteemed guest, Lord Blackwood."

The man beside them bowed slightly. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. This was the man, the father of my unborn child.