Closing his eyes he let the memories come; perhaps the pain would keep his anger in check.
The late Duchess of Stratton had meant everything to her son. Daniel had loved her from his first breath. She was beautiful, kind and loving - everything her husband was not. He remembered the day his father had dragged him into his study after he had broken a vase, demanding an apology that at twelve years of age, Daniel had already been strong enough to refuse. His father had flown into a rage, and then, bending Daniel over, he had begun to whip him. Only this time he didn’t stop.
Hearing his cries, the Duchess had burst into the room, demanding he stop whipping her son. The duke had stopped, but only long enough to turn the birch on his wife. Daniel had screamed and tried to stop the punishment but he had been pushed aside and by the time he regained his feet his mother had fallen and hit her head. She had never regained consciousness.
He never spoke to his father again and after the funeral, Daniel was sent away to school, where he learned to tuck his grief and anger deep inside him. It had stayed there until now.
He needed to leave Stratton soon before he took his anger out on the woman who was now his wife. Only then would she be safe.#p#分页标题#e#
…
Eva explored her new home thoroughly over the next week, making sure that in doing so she kept away from the duke’s study. She found many a parlor and room filled with sheet-covered furniture. Most were lovely old pieces that simply needed a good polish. Many of the drab, faded curtains and carpets, however, needed replacing. Eva decided she would talk to the housekeeper and together they would take an inventory of everything and then decide how best to tackle the problem of restoring her new home to its original beauty.
The only glimpse she had of the duke was from her window seat one morning. He had walked beneath on his way toward the stables. She could tell he was still angry because he had swiped his riding crop at a poor, hapless rose bush, sending a flurry of petals and leaves in all directions. Eva observed his long strides and tall muscular form. He was a man who drew a woman’s eye, a man many would long to wed. Something inside her believed he was not like her father and ready with his fists, yet Eva was not about to place herself in his path to test that theory.
For once in her life she was left to do exactly as she wanted, exactly when she wanted to do it. She was sure in time that would get lonely, but for now Eva reveled in her newfound freedom and when she stumbled across the music room high up on the third floor she thought her happiness, for now, was complete. Eva wondered who had played. The old Duke, perhaps, or maybe his wife?
Daniel tensed when he heard the first strains of music. Opening the door, he listened as the sweet melody filled the empty halls of his home. The last person to touch those keys had been his mother. It had to be his wife; no one else but he played and he had not sat at a piano for many years. He was amazed at how good she was; it seemed her horrible father had at least allowed her some joy. Leaving the door open, he walked back to his desk. Re-seating himself, Daniel picked up another piece of paper from the pile his steward had left him and began to make notes.
He would finish his duties this evening and then go the Duchess’s room to consummate the marriage. Dear God, when had he approached a women’s bed with such trepidation? Had it not been a stipulation of the contract, he wouldn’t have contemplated the act, but it was, and therefore he’d fulfill his side of the obligation no matter how much he disliked the idea.
A knock sounded on his door minutes later and Daniel scowled at Luton as he moved to stand before his desk, his face set in its usual pleasant mask.
“Will you and the duchess be dining in the main dining hall this evening or shall I have the small parlor prepared?”
What the hell was the old reprobate up to? Luton surely knew by now Daniel had no wish to dine with his wife. “I will have a tray in here again, please.”
The butler’s expression remained unchanged and the two men silently stared at each other.
“What, damn you?” Daniel thundered after several long seconds, and to his credit, Luton never so much as twitched.
“It will take but a moment to prepare the small parlor and Mrs. Stimpel has baked your favorite apple dumplings.”
Not many men took Daniel on head to head, yet Luton had challenged him for as long as could remember.
“I have no wish to eat with my wife, Luton, and I would ask you to remember who is now master of this household.”
“I believe Mrs. Stimpel has also prepared the beef exactly as you like it with a rich burgundy sauce,” Luton continued, undaunted.