Chapter XI

In the dimly lit confines of her small, secluded cottage in the French countryside, Alexandra Dubois paced with a dark intensity. The modest room was filled with reminders of her obsession: maps, letters, and the centerpiece—a large portrait of Adelaide Sinclair and the Duke of Ashbourne, Luca, sharing a kiss in a garden. The painting depicted a moment of tenderness and love, one that now fueled Alexandra's growing rage.

She approached the portrait, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the couple's affection. With a swift motion, she grabbed a handful of darts from a nearby table. One by one, she threw them at the portrait, each dart embedding itself with a satisfying thud into the faces of Luca and Adelaide.

"How dare you," she muttered under her breath with each throw, her voice a low growl. "How dare you escape my plans and find happiness."

The image of Adelaide, with her delicate features and serene smile, enraged Alexandra the most. The innocent woman had unwittingly become a symbol of everything that had gone wrong in her life. She was the perfect target for Alexandra's wrath.

With the last dart thrown, Alexandra stepped back, breathing heavily. The portrait was now marred with holes and punctures, but it did little to soothe her fury. She knew that simply venting her anger wouldn't be enough. She needed a new plan, one that would ensure the Duke's downfall and the destruction of his newfound happiness.

Alexandra's mind churned with possibilities. She needed to be more cunning, more ruthless. The thought of manipulating Adelaide to achieve her ends began to take shape. If she could get close to the young bride, she could exploit her innocence and naivety to strike at Luca.

Her eyes gleamed with a newfound resolve. This time, she would be relentless. There would be no room for error. The Duke of Ashbourne and his bride would suffer, and Alexandra would have her revenge.

~~~

Before her stood Jenna, a young woman with a weary expression and trembling hands. Jenna had been working at Ashbourne Manor as a maid, forced into espionage by Alexandra's ruthless grip on her family's fate.

"Sit," Alexandra commanded, her voice cold and imperious.

Jenna complied, her eyes darting nervously around the room. The weight of her family's captivity hung heavily on her shoulders, making her every interaction with Alexandra fraught with fear and desperation.

"Tell me everything," Alexandra demanded, her gaze piercing. "What have you observed about the Duke and his new bride-to-be?"

Jenna swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "The Duke and Lady Adelaide... they seem to be getting closer, my lady. They spend a lot of time together in the gardens and in his study. She appears to be settling in well, though she seems a bit overwhelmed by the grandeur of the manor."

Alexandra's eyes narrowed. "And the Duke? How does he treat her?"

Jenna hesitated, knowing that every word she spoke could have dire consequences. "He is kind to her, patient. He seems genuinely fond of her. There is one thing, though..."

"Go on," Alexandra said, leaning forward with interest.

"The Duke has stopped using alcohol to help him sleep," Jenna continued. "He used to rely on it heavily, but ever since Lady Adelaide arrived, he hasn't touched a drop. It's as if her presence has had a calming effect on him."

A sneer curled Alexandra's lips. The image of the Duke finding solace in Adelaide only fueled her determination. "So, she is already having an influence on him," she muttered. "This cannot be allowed to continue."

Jenna nodded quickly, her heart pounding. "Yes, my lady. I'll do my best to find more information."

Alexandra's gaze softened slightly, though the menace remained. "Remember, Jenna, your family's lives depend on your cooperation. Do not fail me."

With a heavy heart, Jenna rose and made her way to the door. The burden of her task weighed heavily on her, but she knew she had no choice. As she left the cottage, she vowed to find a way to protect her family without causing harm to the innocent Lady Adelaide.

Alexandra watched Jenna leave, her mind already turning to the next phase of her plan. She needed to act swiftly and decisively. The bond between the Duke and Adelaide was growing stronger, but she intended to shatter it completely.

~~~

In the elegant gardens of Ashbourne Manor, Adelaide Sinclair strolled beside the Duke of Ashbourne, Luca. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the meticulously maintained landscape, making the flowers seem to sparkle with life. As they walked, a gentle breeze carried the scent of roses and jasmine, mingling with the soft rustle of leaves.

Luca turned to Adelaide, his expression reserved and distant. "The special license should be ready in a few days," he said, his voice calm but formal. "We'll be able to wed at the Bistro Place as planned."

Adelaide nodded, trying to match his composed demeanor despite the swirl of emotions inside her. "The Bistro Place… it's a beautiful venue. I've always admired its charm."

Luca gave a curt nod. "It is suitable for the occasion."

The formality of his words stung a bit, but Adelaide forced a smile. "Thank you for arranging everything."

As they continued their walk, Jenna trailed behind them, careful to stay out of sight. Her heart pounded as she tried to catch every word. Alexandra's threats against her family were too severe to ignore, and she needed to gather as much information as possible.

Luca and Adelaide paused by a bench, taking a moment to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. "I know this isn't what either of us imagined," Luca said, his tone still distant, "but it's necessary."

Adelaide looked at him, hoping to bridge the gap between them. "I understand, Luca. I hope we can make the best of it."

Before Luca could respond, a rustling sound from the nearby hedges caught his attention. His eyes narrowed as he stood up, looking in the direction of the noise. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

Jenna's heart raced as she crouched behind the thick greenery, barely daring to breathe. She had been careless, and now the Duke was suspicious.

Luca took a step towards the hedge, but Adelaide gently placed a hand on his arm. "It's probably just a rabbit or a bird," she suggested, trying to defuse the tension.

After a moment's hesitation, Luca relaxed slightly and nodded. "Perhaps," he agreed, though his eyes remained wary.

Jenna slowly inched away from her hiding spot, making sure to stay hidden until she was safely out of sight. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she hurried back to the manor, the close call leaving her shaken.

She knew she had to be more careful. The Duke's distant demeanor indicated that he was still on edge, and any slip-up could lead to disastrous consequences. As she returned to her duties, Jenna resolved to find a way to protect her family without putting herself at further risk.