The Next Duke

Seventeen

Lillian was worried.

She didn't see Joseph for the rest of the week. She tried not to make an issue out of it since there was the threat of kidnap for ransom. She wanted to ask his grace but it seemed the man was on a business trip.

When she returned from Stace Park with her students, Lillian was shocked to see a woman wearing his shirt only, with her hair wildly tousled, walk across his bedchamber. Their connecting door was wide open. She spotted him on the bed, his head on his hands, he was also shirtless and appeared to have freshly bathed.

Her throat tightened when she realized what probably had just taken place. She closed her eyes as she blindly tried to close the door. She didn't know why she was hurt. The man was known as a notorious playboy. She had seen him with two women, why did this one bother her so much? Why was this making her cry?

"What's this? Don't tell me you're hurt," he said with a smirk as he held the door knob in his hand preventing her from closing the door.

Lillian opened her eyes and found herself face to face with his solid wall of muscular chest. She blinked and swallowed the lump in her throat, she tried to speak but the lump just did not want to go away. "Whatever you're doing, I'm sure there is an explanation. And besides, it sh-shouldn't matter." She said bravely, her voice strained, stuttering and a tear rolled down her cheek.

She stiffened as he wiped the tear away. She suddenly found herself wrapped in his arms. "I can never do that to you, I gave you my promise, I would never hurt you."

With that, tears suddenly fell from her eyes unchecked. She tried to pull herself away from his arms, but he wouldn't let her. She felt him kiss her hair and then move them both to her bed. He pushed her down and moved next to her.

"Now, stop those tears, she means nothing to me. Just a little roll in the hay," he smiled when she stiffened. "No, just kidding. She's a friend. Her recent girl friend decided to go straight. We went drinking last night, I was already coming home to you when she suddenly passed out on the table."

Lillian wasn't listening, he realized she was already asleep. He looked down at her and wondered if she had overworked herself and it was clear she did, there were bags under her eyes and there was a frown on her forehead. He kissed her softy and settled her in his arms then fell asleep with a large smile on his face.

His father graced them with his glorious presence the following morning during breakfast. The atmosphere between the two was tense but there was an aura of understanding between them. Lillian couldn't look at Joseph, though. Her reaction last night still baffled her. She focused on her eggs and waffles as she pushed them around her plate.

"December is near and I have decided to officially open Stace Park. Thanks to you and all of your efforts, the mansion is now ready to be opened. We will be holding a Christmas ball on boxing day. Lillian and Matilda, you will organize this ball, I know you two can do this."

Lillian threw a frown on to the Duke's direction. "I assure you, your grace, I tremendously lack skills in that area. I can barely organize my own office let alone a party of such class and magnitude."

"Did I mention that it will be showcasing you and your student's work? This will launch their careers into their chosen profession," the man said lightly. "You know netter than any event organizer."

An excited chatter broke out in the dining room. Lillian gave up all pretense of eating and sat back on her chair. She looked at her students and knew they had their own ideas.