BETRAYAL OF DIGNITY
Part 19
Spring's Arrival
Upon returning to the castle with Chloe in his arms, Damien excused himself from dinner with his mother, citing Chloes ill health. Priscilla departed with a radiant smile, unable to conceal her hope that the couple had finally received good news.
The rumor of the Duke and Duchess's blissful marriage had reached her, and producing an heir was of utmost importance for a noble family.
"Your Grace, I swore that I would be faithful as your wife. There may be some who consider infidelity a sophisticated pursuit, but I am not one of them," Chloe asserted.
It was a statement of the obvious. The Chloe that Damien knew was one of the most honest individuals he had ever encountered. However, the young Duke was consumed by jealousy, and his simmering anger blinded him to reason.
"Gilles is nothing more than a good friend to me."
"Do not utter another man's name in my presence."
"Moreover, he is a highly capable servant."
"Do not speak of others with such reverence."
Chloe sighed, an expression of exasperation on her face.
"Then just what is it that you expect me to do?" Anticipating Damien's response, she raised her voice in frustration. "How can I better fulfill the duties of a-"
As Damien silenced her with a kiss, Chloe bit him. A drop of crimson blood welled on his lips.
"Please leave at once before I come to despise you further," Chloe spat, trembling.
The door slammed shut.
As night descended, Chloe lay quietly in her chamber, blinking slowly and listening to the bleak sound of rain tapping against the window pane. Thisses reputation for having four harsh seasons seemed to ring true. Thinking of Gilles, who must have left alone on the train on this rainy night, a twinge of sorrow pricked Chloe's heart.
Why was Damien so insufferably self-righteous?
The only response she received was silence. Gilles had done nothing wrong. Why was Damien so cruel toward a servant who had committed perjury in court for her sake? Though she knew that Damien had a volatile temperament, she had never seen him act so irrationally.
As she pondered the reason, she suddenly opened her eyes.
That's impossible.
She squeezed her eyes shut again and shook her head, her hair rustling against the plush pillow. Chloe turned on her side and clung to the large pillow. There was no question that Marguerite's remarks had put strange ideas in her head, clouding her judgment.
Their marriage had been devoid of love from the beginning.
And if there was one thing Chloe was certain of, it was that the idea of the Duke having genuine affection for anyone was preposterous.
The thought of herself being the recipient of such affection was even more ludicrous. She tossed and turned, finally settling on her back. She pulled the covers up to her chin, attempting to quell her idle reverie. With a soft exhale, the candle flickered out.
As the rhythm of the rain intensified in the depths of the night, the bedroom door opened noiselessly. Damien entered, his footfalls muted by the plush wool carpet. He observed Chloe for a long time in the darkness before approaching her bedside and leaning over. His lips briefly grazed her forehead, leaving a mark as if claiming her, then slowly withdrew. He kissed her nose, then her cheek, then her ear.
"I am restraining myself from embracing you in an effort to uphold a minimum level of respect for you as the Duchess." It was evident from his tone that he knew she was not asleep. Chloe swallowed involuntarily, her body curling into a ball.
