Married,Yet Alone

The carriage halted in front of the duke's grand estate leaving her in a state of awe.Her mother had not overblown when she declared that a union with the duke would open doors that money alone couldn't.The luxurious zephyr passed by the estate and proved the extents a queen's nephew could go to distinguish himself from the common folk.

The large gardens had been trimmed to fit the pretext the estate gave.Though the Dynevor's Estate was elegant,it couldn't compare to the elaborate grounds of the duke's estate that reminded her of the palace.The garments of the maids symbolized how rich their master was from the usual ones the maids wore in other households.

"Welcome, Lady Esmeralda," The green-eyed senile butler greeted,aiding her to alight from the carriage unscarred.He knew her mother too well to know what would happen to him should he hurt her.

"Good morning,sir.You look brilliant in blue."Esmeralda accosted, turning the attention towards the man.It was unusual for a bride to return alone after her wedding.That could spark the interest of the desired gossipmongers to make her a topic for discussion and not spare her now that she was akin to be the duchess.

"I shall lead you to the duke." said the butler, secretly happy someone had noticed his handsomeness through the black coat he was used to wearing.

Certainly,he saw that as a start off to introducing himself to the young ladies if one such beautiful woman had complimented him.

Esmeralda's jaw dropped when she was exposed to the duke's grand foyer;over forty maids queued into two awaiting her arrival.

"Good morning,duchess." They bowed in unison.

"Good morning."She replied.

She had not received such formality for the centuries she had spent in the Dynevor's Estate.She was indifferent to the maids around her that she treated and spoke to them like her mates.

"We are here," the butler said gently tapping on the ajar doors to be sure the duke was around.Seated on his black high backed chair was the duke,scribbling something on a piece of paper with undivided attention.

"I shall leave then,"the butler nodded before ushering her inside and shutting the door. Esmeralda nervously stood motionless in front of the door, ogling at the handsome duke.His chiseled fair face aligned perfectly with the beads of sweat that chased each other even in a cold room.Somehow she was indebted to her mother for finding her a handsome match.

"Your Grace," she nervously stuttered, dipping into a curtsy.

"The queen..I take it that you enjoyed the ceremony?"asked the duke,not turning to look up his bride.

"It was..ok,Your Grace.I hope I am not disturbing."

The duke averted his gaze from the paper and looked into her eyes.Had he not disliked the very existence of scandalous women,then this lady before him would be a perfect match.

"Your very existence...is unwelcomed."

A frown marred on her face for an unidentified moment,but she did well to hide it.

"Will I spend the night with you?"

Her voice came out smooth,one that she could not identify as her own. It was usually one of her several voices she adopted for her methods of seduction.

"Again?" The duke asked,his attention never leaving the countenance of the paper before him.

"The queen spoke of an heir and I know men would mostly get to their business after getting married so I was making you aware..I am not ready to consummate."

The duke's eyes narrowed as he covered the paper with a book and marched to his wife.His fingers trailing along her bare skin,making her shiver with the anxiety that danced in her.

"You are my wife in name only.I accepted to wed you because my mother had asked me to."

Esmeralda nodded, disappointed as the cold air was replaced by the hotness of the tension lingering between them."So you will not consummate the wedding,I take it?"

"Consummate?!" He exclaimed in mock anger making her shiver."I do not waste my emotions on the likes of you Lady Esmeralda,neither will I waste my power on you." He stated bluntly.

"Am I that unattractive?" She said,her voice barely above a whisper.His statement was definitely the rudest thing a bride would hear on her big day.

"Why are you so rude?" She uttered,tears welling up her silver eyes.The thunderous temper was looming inside her misery,fighting hard to burst out but she knew marriage to a cold man was sure a long way to go.

"I do not think you have braced yourself for my reply.I don't want to see you cry.I hate tears."

"I know why you act this way,but I may be of help if you surely open up to me.I can help you.Else this marriage wouldn't work."

"And do you think I care?"He wried his eyebrows inquiringly.

"Do you have to keep me at bay when we would be sheltered under one roof?When we would be leaving together in one room..and the desire to satisfy the queen's demand to provide an heir kicking in?" She cried out."Please...see past my previous mistakes and take me for who I am.See past that and let me in."

Her hand clutching firmly around his muscled arms and her eyes falling into the lonely despair; pleading earnestly for him to let her in.

"You speak of the queen's demands when she knows nothing of what I want."said the duke,yanking her hands away aggressively.

"Neither you nor the queen knows what I want and your constant whining of 'letting you in' is nearing the end of my patience .End of discussion."

He walked past her angrily, demanding the location of the butler."Rupert,where are you?"

"I am here,my lord." The butler tensed up appearing from the passageway behind the door.He had probably been eavesdropping.

"Lead the duchess to her room!" He barked.