Chapter 47 Next to mine

After recovering from his confusion, the magistrate said," I don't think it is a good idea your grace."

The Duke was quick to glare at him and noticing this, he said," I understand that you want to punish her yourself but who knows? She might end up dead and that will be a big waste. The slave establishment is in need of slaves and therefore, it will be best if we send her over there."

The Duke's face turned ten shades darker at the mention of that. Did he really think that he could kill her?

"And who told you that I am going to punish her?" he asked.

"I don't get you," replied Lionel.

He watched the Duke step closer to him and he said,"You are lucky that you didn't touch her Lionel or else, I don't know what I would have done to you."

His confusion became more apparent as he looked back and forth between the Duke and Hazel then asked," Your grace.....I-I don't understand. She stole from- "

"And where did you get the evidence?" he pointed out.

"The necklace was in her bag," he said looking at her. "I don't want to hear you saying that again because it is not true. Haven't you heard of cases where a person is set up?"

With the question, Lionel looked away and he added," I will let you off this time because you thought that you were doing your job. But next time, conduct an investigation before jumping to conclusions."

Hazel sat next to the Duke in the carriage as it rode off the steep road. They had not yet spoken a word apart from him asking if she was okay. She couldn't believe he had said that she was innocent. Did he really believe that? Did he have that much trust in him?

As she looked outside the window, she wondered if Lucas had already left for Treadstone.

But as she was still looking outside, her thoughts ran to something. The Duke had made it clear to her that she was not leaving and today morning, he had left the manor as if it was like any other day. Could it be that he was the one that had framed her such that she couldn't leave? Yes, the whole thing made sense now. That's why he was confident that she was innocent back then. Because he was the one that had set her up. She snapped her head to look at him and found that he was already staring at her.

"What?" he asked and she took a while to say," Nothing." She looked outside the window. She couldn't believe that he could stoop so low to make her stay. He didn't even care about how she might feel or her reputation among her fellow workers. She felt her eyes sting due to the various emotions she was experiencing.

"We're here," she his voice and looked around to see that they were back at the manor. She felt even scared of getting out of the carriage considering the way she had been embarrassed in the hall.

Sensing her fear, he said," Nobody will harm you." She took a deep breath before getting out and she looked at his hand he had offered for her to take. Pondering over something, she took it and got down from the carriage.

Cooper came out the moment he heard the carriage and his eyes scanned Hazel from top to bottom as he made way to where they were. He was glad not to see any bruises but he couldn't be so sure that she was okay. He bowed his head respectively and said," Welcome back your grace. The Viscount is here to see you." He nodded at the information and said," I need you to prepare the room next to mine and shift all Hazel's belongings there. It's where she will be sleeping henceforth."

Hazel looked at her wide eyed and Cooper bowed her head, although he too was surprised at the arrangement. "You should lead her there first thing. I don't want her to go back to the servants' quarters." "Right away your grace," he said and Raven glanced at her once before going to meet the Viscount.

"Come with me Ms Winston," he said to her before starting to move.

"W-what did he mean by that?" she asked as she followed him. "I too have no idea," he replied and she kept walking behind him.

He turned to look at her and said," I'm glad that you are fine Ms Winston." "Thank you. But you should believe me that I am innocent," she told him. He nodded and said," If you say so."

While they were walking inside the manor, Hazel caught sight of the servants who started whispering among themselves when they saw her. They didn't hide their surprised gazes because they didn't expect her to be here and that in perfect condition.

As the Duke had instructed, Cooper led her to the room on his left and opened the large doors for her. "You can get in. I will go and bring your things," he left not waiting for a reply and she stepped inside.

She stood on the door way and she looked around the dark room which had no lantern as evening was approaching. She then leaned against the wall and she wondered why the Duke had decided to shift her here. This act just confirmed her suspicion, that it was indeed him that had set her up. Now more than ever, she wanted to leave the manor.

A long while later, she heard footsteps and Cooper walked in with two big lanterns that lit up the entire room. He placed them at either sides of the room and later, he walked out before coming back with her bag.

"Let me hope you are comfortable with the room," he said. "I think it's too much," she replied. "You will get used to it eventually," he said before adding," The maids will come in to prepare your bath." "Prepare my bath?! I don't need that," she was quick to say.

"All people that use these rooms get those services Ms Winston," he said before excusing himself out of the room.