Chapter 5 - Untimely Awakenings

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IMPORTANT Authors Notes:
Okay Lovelies, I'm gonna warn you here and now that this chapter has quite a bit of swearing in it. I can't find a way not to have them there so I'm sorry for whoever finds this offensive in any way. I shall let you go on but you have been warned!

Also some Duke POV!!

(For further notes read the bottom)
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Duke had found Missi the following morning. Out of boredom, he had become curious to see the collection of books Missi had accumulated within her private study. He was well on his way to running his fingers along the spines only to stop short at the site in his peripheral vision. Missi was curled across her window seat with an small, battered book resting across her stomach. A sliver of the waning sun that only just peeked around her curtains illuminated her subtle features in a pale golden hue. It made her ash blond hair shine like molten gold and the floating dust shone in likeliness that made her look like she was shimmering. It was something that if Duke were in the right frame of mode would have made his best effort to avoid. There were too many dangers with what he was seeing. He would admit she was pretty to an extent but her boorish behaviour and ignorance put him off. Not to mention their situation. Emotions were not welcome and would cause unnecessary heartbreak. Several things in his many years that he could not be bothered to deal with, much like she who could not deal with his behaviour.

But he ignored all that, almost enraptured by the sight before him and he silently approached, steering clear of the shaft of light that cut through the room. Kneeling down gently, his fingers went to subconsciously trail along her knuckles and wrist, feeling her warm skin and strong pulse - something he hadn't thought he needed until now. Yes he knew of the conquests that he kept behind closed doors, the bed warmers, how he'd eye her up in the same manner but at this moment, all was tossed to the wind. He could still see the slight bags from her fitful sleeping, but he couldn't care less...

His eyes trailed down to the book in her hands, 'The Tell Tale Heart,' by Edgar Allan Poe, a good one if he were to recall. Well now he had a basic idea of her collection.

Looking back up, his brain was finally catching up with him. Why was he still looking at her? And why couldn't he tear his eyes away?

While his mind was at war with itself, Missi mind began to stir. Something smooth rubbing pleasant circles into her hand and she hummed contently, slowly beginning to recollect her surroundings. The warm band across her neck and cheek, the plush cushioning underneath her- she was probably in her study but what was the rubbing. Her mind and body fought ways, the latter dying to keep on this peaceful feeling and simply keep on sleeping. Unfortunately for them, her mind had the most influence and her eyes slowly began to flutter open.

Hearing her hum made Duke stop dead in his tracks.

Shit...

He watched in slow motion as her eyes began to flutter, yanking himself away as he stumbled over the many book piles Missi had left around in order to get to the door, only to be stopped by the door opening on the other side as a maid stepped through.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!

Duke - perpetually stuck between getting caught by the maid, Missi or even worse, both - darted sideways towards a decorative screen cramped up to fill one of the corners. He was fortunately able to squeeze himself through before the two managed to see him and was thankful that nothing behind it would lead to his untimely demise - except the dust.

"My Lady, it is time to rise." The timid voice of the maid servant filtered through the screen which Duke turned to, noting that the the carvings inlaid in the corners allowed for a good peeping hole. Not that he would ever lower himself to peeping- however he did know if his position could become compromised.

Watching the maid gently rouse Missi, pulling open the curtains as she went flushing the sleeping woman in more golden light. Her peaceful expression, soaking in the sun was ruined when the maid moved to pat her, her expression scrunching up before her eyes opened. A deep sigh leaves her lips as she rises and stands, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and stretching her limbs with satisfying pops. Her arms drop and she hums slightly before turning to the maid groggily.

"What time is it?"

"Seven o'clock My Lady. I apologise, however you will have to cancel your morning lessons as the Grand Duke expects you to head to his study with haste after your morning meal. He has something he wishes to discuss with you in private." The maid bowed before moving toward a pile of neatly folded fabrics of a slate grey colour and holding them out for Missi to view.

"After I checked your chambers and found them empty, I carried your fresh garments here. Would you like to change in this room or back in your chambers?"

Missi ran her fingers along the rich satin, admiring the fabric for a moment before answering, seemingly lost in thought. "Here will be fine."

Duke's eyes widened, -not expecting this turn of events- had little time to actually avert his eyes and give the woman some modesty before she pushed the fabric of her nightgown off her shoulders and let it slip to the floor and pile around her feet.

She faced away from him, the thin chemise allowing his eyes to trail the elegant curve of her spine and thin frame, however before he could see too much the maid moved in front of him, where she began to replace the chemise with a clean on. Duke turned away then, after realising that he was still staring. He would not admit to the heat that had spread over his pale face as he waited out the tedious endeavour of the maid pinning on the pieces of fabric. It thankfully didn't take too long and the two exchanged a few words before leaving for the morning meal - which he was supposed to be attending but now really didn't feel like it. Slipping out of the cramped space, Duke brushed off all of the dust that had brushed onto his black coat.

How in the hell was he meant to look at her now?

He tried to push the images out of his head as he quickly left the room, and into the hall that was thankfully still a little dark. He really couldn't be dealing with the brightness with the migraine inducing images that swirled around his head with vengeance and fury of a tiger.

When he reached his temporary chamber - the curtains thankfully still drawn to - he locked himself inside before flopping gracelessly backward onto the bed. It was plush but didn't beat his at home, now that one was a fucking dreamboat.

One of the servants came to knock at his door after a while, but he dismissed them, stating that he was still tired from his journey and needed more rest. That would buy him some time.

Time to get his priorities straight.

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Authors notes:
Heya again you lovely lot! I've been debating on whether to release this chapter for a while and decided I should. I've tagged this story and now appropriately rated it so it shouldn't get taken down for this chapter and future chapters. I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea and that there are probably young viewers out there. This is why I've had to up the rating and I'm sorry for those who will no longer be able to view this story. ('ρ')

In other news, we've got some Duke POV *Owen Wilson voice* wow. And I've drawn a portrait of him (sorry it's on lined paper). But what do you guys think of this chapter? Was it too cliché? Idk...

And I'm mega sorry for the late update. Coursework, work and writers block are not fun. I've been trying to gather some inspiration so I've set up a Pinterest board, if anyone is interested or wants to see some visuals I'm working from just comment and I'll share it.

I can't tell you when the next update will be- which I'm immensely sorry for (plz don't hate me).

See you lovelies soon!

Watermelon-ice

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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