Duchess of Winter

The Green Eyed Monster and The Spoiled child.

Agatha could not believe she was doing this. She had given in to her curiosity and secretly went into the Duke's chambers. He lay there in total slumber. Obviously exhausted from the toils of a trades man and then the duties of the duchy.  He had only came back last night from another long journey from the east to the place in China. He had been gone a long month. He said he detested being away from her for that long. But there was no way it can be helped. He was more an agreeable tradesman than his partner. Sir Arthur Willows who had came to be their guest at the manor that Christmas and had developed a fancy for her Aunt Lady Agnes.  Has it been he has stopping by so often now as it permits, whenever their  trade ships were near England's ports. 

She had genuinely missed him. But she pretended not to show him at dinner. After all she regards him as competition still. She would sneak a peak at his lovely profile and was honestly getting jealous that he was happily been chatting with Agnes while they dined. Although he did reached out for her hand often. And gave her the sweetest of smiles. She brushed away the feeling before it had gone much more further. She had excused herself and decided she would retire to her own chambers where she plans to exorcise herself from the mounting feeling of jealousy.

"Are you alright?" He stood without hesitation as she stood to be on her way." Do you want me to accompany you? He added with a worried look on his face. The Dowager looked amused at the little drama unraveling before her. Silently she took her wine with a smile on her face.

"No...yes of course" Agatha stammered she sighed clearing her head.

"Please continue with your supper. I would just like to retire for I have had a long day." She spoke half the truth.

She had been distressed all day. Although talking to the farm hands and trying to learn as much information about the vast land that the Manor stood on. And meet the large number of staff in a day. Was more that she thought she could handle. She had familiarized herself witht he accountings of the books as well.

Adding that she had recieved a letter from the Orchard in Provance. Saying she must come and visit and if she must, plead that the Lord Duke be available to accompany her as there were many developments in the Orchard that they would wish to discuss with him as well.

She had not told Ernest yet. As for now she was rather being consumed by an overwhelming urge to pull him away from his obvious fondness towards Agnes. And indeed have him only for herself.

She stood there with only her sleeping gown. Hovering above his bed she looked at him. Given if they were "truely" married this would have not looked odd at all.  As they have not seen each other in a months time. They should have been in each other's arms on this very bed. But will she let missing his company make him forget where she stand in this mockery of a marriage?

NO! she sighed and was about to silently tiptoe about. When she felt a had grip her wrist.

She closed her eyes in embarrassment. By God! he has awaken and knew of her presence! What would he think now? That She had affections for him? Did she not made it clear she was bound only by duty to even consider siring him a child? Correction...an heir to the duchy and not for him!

"Agie?" he asked with a raspy sleepy voice. " Do you needed something of me?" he added clearing his voice and his head from tiresome sleep.

Would I need something of him?! What on earth would I be needing  from him?! Agatha argued with herself. 

And oh please please do not call me thus!  She pleaded inside her head.

"Er.. no"  she finally said." I had just merely came to check on how you were." She closed her eyes hoping it wound sounded non partisan to her true feelings and would let go of her hand.