The Uninvited Guest (2)

Esmeralda approached the gatekeeper for more information as Eloise's discreetness had piqued her curiosity.She knew Eloise too well to tell when something was up and she knew she wouldn't pass by without telling her.

"Barnaby," she called out to the gatekeeper who rushed to hear what the Dynevor's heart wanted.

"Is there anything Miss Esmeralda would like to hear?" He inquired as he knew Esmeralda would never approach the servants unless she wanted information to satisfy her boredom.

"Well,I must speak with you regarding a very curious matter." Barnaby shrugged.He was right.Esmeralda's curious instincts had began acting up.

"And what would you like to hear?"

"I am sure you encountered Miss Eloise on the grounds today?" Esmeralda looked his way to examine his reaction.

"Ah,Miss Eloise." The young man nodded.

"Pray,tell me,what did she say?" Her patience was wearing thin.She was in a hurry to know what her cousin wanted."Did she want money?"

Barnaby hesitated,his weathered feature betraying a hint of unease."Well you see,she told me to let her in because you had invited her for dinner...and I did!"

Esmeralda's eyebrows furrowed,"Only that?"

"No!" Barnaby replied,looking at the sky as if to recall a forgotten moment."Aha!" His face lit up with a hint of excitement.He had recollected.

"Darlington saw her in your bedchamber when he was serving the guests.He said something about Miss Eloise holding a box and emerging from your room without it."

"A box? Did she take any of my personal belongings?"asked Esmeralda,fearing her cousin was up to no good.

"No! She emerged without anything from your room.Miss Eloise may have left a secret gift for your upcoming wedding?" Barnaby smiled at her.His conclusion was right,but it was strange to see Eloise discreetly coming into the estate with men following her.

She smacked her palm on her forehead.She had only cared about the information she would get that she forgot to follow Eloise.

"Where's Darlington?" She asked,standing up to straighten her gown with her eyes checking the guests in case anyone thought she was yet again dallying with another servant.

"He left after serving." Barnaby quickly replied.

Esmeralda pursed her lips with her hands on her hips.She was unconvinced.

"I'll leave then.Suppose anyone asks if you saw me today,what will you say?" She turned to Barnaby with that same old deadly stare she would cast the servants after her inquiries.

"I did not see you." He bowed his head.

"You have merely confirmed any of my suspicions.Anyway,thank you for your candor."

As Esmeralda made her way back to her room,she felt the questions in her head push her the more.Curiosity was always said to have killed the cat,but she still remained alive.

"I have searched my room thoroughly and nothing is out of the ordinary.Did Barnaby see right?" She stood up to examine the room again.Nothing gave away that someone had been there and there was no box in sight too.

"Hmm" she sighed."This is too vexing.I will join the others before they notice I've been long gone."

As she stepped into the hallway with her mind reeling with her encounter with Barnaby and Eloise's discreetness,she came across the prominent guest of the hour.

"Esmeralda!" Lady Azalea spoke first,taking into consideration the gown and appearance of the stressed soon-to-be duchess.

"Lady Azalea", Esmeralda said,her eyes boring into hers.

"My dear Esmeralda,what troubles you tonight?Does it have anything to do with the duke?"said Lady Azalea, after noticing the worried look on her face.Her voice laced with a tinge of mockery and belittlement.

"I assure you my lady,my thoughts have nothing to do with the duke."

Lady Azalea's lips curled into a thin smile."Since it has nothing to do with the duke,I think you're disturbed by the responsibilities you will bear when you become the duchess?"

Esmeralda remained composed,despite the lady's questions irritating her."I say Lady Azalea,this has nothing to do about your concern for me.I just met you and I understand you're concerned if I will be able to become the duchess due to my age,but mind you,the age is only a number."

Lady Azalea laughed."I am impressed by your choice of words.You seem to have it in you to be the duchess...but are you ready for the price you have to pay for marrying the duke?"

Esmeralda narrowed her eyes."What are you implying?"

Lady Azalea moved closer to Esmeralda.Her voice barely above a whisper;low and manipulative.

"Your marriage to Edward,dear Esmeralda?"

She said, intertwining Esmeralda's hair with her fingers."You see..the duke is incapable to love and I merely wish to caution you not to force yourself on him.You see how he has been trying to avoid you all evening?" She paused, looking at Esmeralda in the eyes.

It was true he had avoided her all evening,but what did that have to do with her?

"He is who he is...you cannot change him.That was Lady Beatrice's motive behind your matrimony but mind you,he will still have in his possession..countless mistresses.You will only be a duchess to the public,but in private dear,you are no one."

Esmeralda slapped her hands from her hair.She straightened herself to tell her what she thought,not cowed by her presence.

"My marriage to the duke may be based on short notice as Lady Beatrice wants a strong figure to tame her son.It is my marriage and only I shall become the duchess.Allow me to handle my man!"

"Your man already?"Lady Azalea laughed again."You are nothing,but a fool.He will not love you.I know him too well than you do..as his mistress." said Lady Azalea,her eyes betraying her from her pretence of a calm soul.

Esmeralda sighed.She was right when she thought the Duke had something to do with the brat in front of her.

Esmeralda bristled,her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and determination."As you said,you are his mistress nay be his wife.His mother knew of your existence but chose to go somewhere else to find a suitable bride, because you are not fit to tame him.Also his mother introduced you as a relative.I can see how she gets embarrassed when you are around."

Lady Azalea's expression hardened.Staring at her as if she would kill her.

" I thank you for your concern Lady Azalea,but I have more pressing matters to attend to.I fear we cannot continue to have this conversation."said Esmeralda

"You are not yet the duchess and you are already speaking with power.You cease to amaze me Esmeralda."

"Remember where you are standing,in the Dynevor's Estate.That is,to say,my home.I can speak with power anywhere I am.And you should keep in mind this is my house you are occupying with your presence.I will soon be the duchess and I know how well to keep him indoors. I do not need your advice.Excuse me now!"

With that,she turned and swept down the hall leaving Lady Azalea to herself.She had not even married the duke,and here she was, receiving warning in her own home.