Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 32

Ella and Max took an hour to say their goodbyes to the children. Ella was already planning another picnic like this one. She wanted the kids to know that they will be looked after. It made such a difference for a depressed child.

She knew how these kids suffered, how depression would lead to suicides. After every bad year, at least seven children would commit suicide. The ratios for child and adult suicide was 1:3. That meant more children would suffer after the adult commit suicide. Ella wanted her estate to be different. She wanted to care for these children.

Max saw Ella's pensive look and decided to find out what was bothering her.

"I hope you had fun today. Everything went exceptionally well but next time we will bring a few young maids with us. I don't think that we can look after all these children ourselves." Ella stared at Her husband. He was already planning another picnic like her. Maybe their marriage was a good thing because she was positive that she was in love with her husband. She wanted to kiss him right then, in front of so many people.

"Thank you." Of all the great things that she could have said to her husband, Ella had to be stupid enough to say such a small word to show her gratitude.

"I am hungry, are you hungry? Let's eat at the inn. I haven't visited in so long." With a roguish smile Max dragged her to a busy looking inn.

Over dinner they discussed everything, from farming to politics. For the first time in her life Ella felt as if she was talking to an intellectual equal. Bella and her father had been the only ones who could talk so freely and with so much knowledge before Max. If he never loved Ella back, at least they will have companionship. They would never tire of each other's company.

Their table was a popular one at the inn. Almost all the patrons came and paid respect to the new Duchess and Duke. Ella felt as if she was apart of something big and incredible. She felt as if she was the decision maker in a huge family and every member of it mattered. She loved how honest and open the relationship between her and her new subjects was. They were respected and loved by all, a rare combination for a landlord.

The biggest surprise of all came when one of the tenants asked for a smooth road leading up to his cattle farm. Max asked for Ella's opinion before agreeing. She felt valued,loved and respected. As they were leaving the inn, inn keeper's wife cornered her.

"You are such a beautiful woman. I hope to see more of you. I specialize in tonics if you need them, calming ones." She smirked as if the two of them had shared a secret. Ella stared at the woman in confusion. The two of them had just met, what possible secret could the two of them share?

"I mean dear, if you need a tonic for the morning sickness or acidity." She kept on smiling gently. Understanding dawned and the first person that came to Ella's mind was her sister. The image of pale Bella vomiting in the morning was enough to put her into action.

"I need two tonics for morning sickness and two for strength." Ella saw the other woman smirk before making her way behind the counter.

"I see. Our dear Duke has been busy making heir." As soon as the words were out of the woman's mouth, Ella realized her mistake.

"You don't understand. These tonics are for my sister. I'm completely fine. I don't need them." Ella gave up trying to convince the woman when she saw that her smirk was still in place.

"This is your first one, don't be shy. It's good to share your experience with other woman. They can give you some valuable advice." Ella smiled weakly as she collected her bottles and started to draw some coins out of her purse. The woman stopped her from doing so.

"It is an honor to serve a great woman. You have made our young Duke happy. We will forever be indebted to you." The two woman hugged while parting. Ella had tears in her eyes. She wished with all her heart that the woman was right and she was the reason behind Max's smile.

Max was already waiting for her beside the carriage when Ella came out. He saw her tears and didn't comment on it. Ella was grateful for it. She didn't think that she could explain the reason for them. As the carriage started moving, Max tried to distract her.

"What are those? Some of Marty's tonics?" He lightly asked while pointing at the bottles.

"Marty?" Were woman allowed to have such manly names?

"The inn keeper, he gives them to everyone. They work like a charm. I keep on telling him that he should start practicing medicine." The gentle smile on Max's face turned into a roguish smile at the mention of the inn keeper.

"They are love potions. Made especially to control you." Ella laughed at the herself. She came up with the silliest idea.

"Well you don't....." Ella never heard the rest of Max's sentence as their carriage tilted and the door opened. Before she could grab hold of something, she slipped from her seat and was out the door. She looked behind her to see Max reaching out for her. For a second their eyes met and Ella saw the desperation in his eyes. She wanted to comfort him that she would be fine as long as he was well but was swallowed up by water before she could say anything. She kept on thinking about Max until darkness claimed her. At least he was safe.

Don't hate me. I had food poisoning and then flu. Published this chapter by mistake and then removed it. I'm sure you all got the notification and kept on refreshing your library to see it. My bad. I made a lot of mistakes this week. Hope this update comes a pleasant surprise (or unpleasant). What do you think will happen?