The Compromise

Chapter 9 - Drunken, Dazed and a Little Concerned (II)

"What happened?"

His voice is soft and Missi takes some comfort in that. She seems to struggle, conflicted and scared, her thoughts just can't seem to get across the barrier of her throat. Her mouth opens, silent at first, desperate to say anything, trying not to disappoint the insistent lull that his eyes convey.

Nothing comes.

Duke's eyes drop and he sighs. He knew she would say anything, that he's hoping a little too much from her drunk and frightened state of mind, so he moves to stand.

She watches him, panic rising in her and hears a whine, shuttered and jittery. She doesn't realise it comes from her until his head turns to regard her.

"P-please..."

Her hand moves forward to grasp his coat, and he turns fully now, taking her hands in his and giving her a reassuring squeeze before he places them gently in her lap.

"Wait."

The command leaves no room for doubt and argument, and he watches her give him a small nod, before he turns towards a table to the side of the room where a bowl and pitcher of water sits. Filling the basin, he grabs a cloth next to it and soaks it in the cold water, before ringing it and coming back over, thinking twice he takes the bowl with him.

The two stay silent as he kneels down in the same spot and begins to meticulously clean her face, removing the makeup that was layered quite thickly on herself. Her eyes don't leave him as he does this, watching as his burgundy eyes look over her features and she can't help the small flustered blush that spreads lightly on her cheeks.

She has never had this type of attention placed on her before, never been able to have someone's gaze be so captivated on her and work so delicately.

She hisses as he reaches her cheeks, and he pulls away to see heather bruising tinting her skin and torn tissue. Shallow as the cut was, it still carried an angry red colour, probably due to the cosmetics used to hide it.

"William did this to you?" It was less of a question and more of a statement as he peered at the woman's face. Missi gulps down and manages to allow a near silent yes passed her lips.

He continues to work, careful around the injured skin all the while Missi continues to watch him quietly. He doesn't notice until he finishes and looks up into her eyes. There is an emotion in them that he cannot place, especially with how dark it is but the moment is strangely tender and neither Duke nor Missi wish to break it.

"You need sleep." He finally speaks up after a while and Missi sighs, slouching and tired fingers began to fumble at her corset strings before he bats them away to allow her to rest. Just as meticulously, he works fast at removing it and then helping her to stand, so he could remove her dress so she was left in her undergown.

He moves away, taking the dirty rag and bowl with him, and Missi watches him in wonder. As confused - by his actions - as she was, she was way too tired to care. She flops back down, sprawling across the slightly scratchy bedsheets, disrupting the black cat's nap and making it dart under the bed. Her eyes close briefly but she looks up when she hears Dukes footsteps retreating.

"Stay!" There is no filter on her words and Duke turns around to regard her again.

"I didn't expect you to be this forward." His teasing is nearly lost on her, but she manages to tiredly snapback.

"I didn't expect you to be this caring."

He stiffens at that - quite possibly terrified of what she had said, not that she notices and he quickly brushes it off. Duke scoffs, before returning and jumping down on the bed, nearly jolting Missi out of the bed.

"Fuck you!" She turns to lazily glare daggers at him and he merely laughs before pushing her shoulders back.

"Go to sleep."

Missi doesn't protest, curling up into a comfortable position away from him, her hazy mind fills the void and she quickly finds herself asleep.

Duke watches on, contemplating his actions and hers. He knew she would be completely different in the morning after the alcohol had passed through her system. Inebriated, her actions were much more lax - of course most people were - and she seemed to be more confident in her skin and Duke found himself enjoying that side of her more than he'd thought he would. She still seemed plagued by moments of silence, and whatever her Father had said and done had contributed to her irrational behaviour.

But his behaviour he couldn't fully explain. She had said it herself, that she noticed that he had been acting differently towards her. He didn't even fucking know her properly, let alone possibly want to. He was getting a little too caught up in this faux engagement, fooling himself over a little bit of skin.

Lecherous old fool.

He thought he'd already had his fair share, and not that long ago, he'd bet if she knew about this she would throw a fit, probably already had knowing her. His intentions were always clear with her, and should be clear now.

Fake his way through this marriage.

Get his pestering parents off his back.

Tie up all of his old loose ends.

And finally hide a public scandal of the century though any means necessary.

Ohh and Missi was just so naive to believe that he was doing this for her sake - she just happened to pop up at the right time to fix all of his problems and him hers.

That's what he had believed in the beginning and would continue to stick to. He would not let his motives blur now!

With a new resolve, his eyes hardened into a malicious glare, his mouth twisting into a cruel smirk as he left Missi laying on the bed. Some small part of him wanted to stay, make sure she was safe, but he crushed it down before he turned to leave.

When she would see him again, he would not be soft, he would not be kind, he would be him - and he was downright sure he would not give a damn.

———

Authors Notes

Hello again my lovelies! It's been a while and I am regretful for not posting in so long :( I won't lie, it's not easy to fit writing this around all my college work and my job so I am really sorry for all of the delays.

But carrying on, we're getting a little bit more insight of the enigmatic mind that is Duke's. Also I hope I'm getting his character right, I think I veered off somewhere but I'm bringing back to his stand-offish self.

What scandal is Duke trying to hide, what are his loose ends and who is this mystery woman? So many mysteries that will be revealed soon!

As I've said (many times) before I can't say when I'll release again with college and work but I hope you guys can stick around! You guys really make me smile and I thank you for supporting me throughout this!

Love you all lots!

Watermelon-ice
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