Chapter XIV

The Duke of Ashbourne, Luca, woke up with a start, his heart heavy with the weight of the previous night. He remembered the endless hours he had spent worrying about Adelaide seeing his scars. How had he even managed to fall asleep? Frustrated with himself, he smacked his forehead. How could he have abandoned his new bride on their wedding night?

"Luca, you fool," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. He needed to make things right.

Pulling the bell cord, he summoned Clement, his loyal valet. Within moments, Clement appeared, his expression attentive as always.

"Your Grace?" Clement asked, noting the Duke's troubled demeanor.

"Prepare my bath, Clement," Luca said, his voice thick with frustration. "I need to clear my head."

Clement nodded and swiftly set about his task. Luca undressed and stepped into the steaming water, the warmth enveloping him. He sat in the tub, his thoughts a whirlpool of regret and determination.

Clement, ever perceptive, couldn't help but notice the Duke's solemn mood.

"Your Grace, if I may be so bold, it seems something troubles you deeply."

Luca sighed, leaning back in the tub. "Clement, I failed Adelaide last night. I spent the entire night consumed by my insecurities about my scars, and I fell asleep. She must think I abandoned her for another woman."

Clement paused, considering his words carefully. "Your Grace, Lady Adelaide deserves to know the truth. You must explain to her that you fell asleep and clear any doubts she may have."

Luca looked at Clement, grateful for his wisdom.

"You're right, Clement. I need to be honest with her."

The Duke of Ashbourne, Luca, stood outside Adelaide's chambers, his heart pounding. He knocked gently, waiting for her soft voice to bid him enter. As he stepped inside, he found her seated by the window, the morning light casting a halo around her.

"Good morning, Your Grace," Adelaide said, her tone polite but guarded.

"Adelaide, may I speak with you?" Luca asked, his voice tinged with unease.

"Of course," she replied, gesturing for him to sit.

Luca took a deep breath. "Last night, I... I didn't come to you as I should have. I want to apologize. I am deeply sorry for not being there."

Adelaide's expression hardened. "You left me alone on our wedding night, Your grace. Why?"

Luca hesitated, his insecurities about his scars flaring up once more. "Please, forgive me. I promise it won't happen again."

Adelaide's gaze bore into him, searching for answers he wasn't ready to give. After a tense silence, she nodded curtly. "Very well, Your grace. But understand that trust must be earned."

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit, shabby inn on the outskirts of London, Jenna sat across from Alexandra, her expression wary. Alexandra had come to England with a sinister purpose, and Jenna was the key to her plans.

"Jenna," Alexandra began, her voice cold and calculating, "we need to move forward. You must poison Adelaide."

Jenna's eyes widened in shock. "No, Alexandra. I will not do it. I refuse to harm her."

Alexandra's face twisted with anger. "You will do as I say, Jenna. Or there will be consequences."

Later that day, Adelaide decided to meet with the manor's servants. Her earlier conversation with Luca had done little to soothe her simmering anger. She was determined to set things right in her new household and ensure everyone understood their place.

With Clement's help, she gathered everyone in the main hall.

"Good morning," Adelaide began, her voice sharp and unyielding. "I am Adelaide, your new Duchess. I expect each of you to work diligently and with integrity. Anyone who does not wish to work with me will be dismissed."

She paused, scanning the room with a fierce gaze. "I also want to address the issue of gossip. It is harmful and unacceptable. I caught Andrea spreading rumors about the Duke and me. This will not be tolerated."

Andrea's face turned a deep shade of red, and tears welled up in her eyes as she looked down, mortified. Adelaide stepped closer, her voice rising. "You will not speak ill of your employers. Do I make myself clear?"

Andrea nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Yes, Your Grace."

Adelaide took a deep breath, calming herself slightly before addressing the rest of the staff.

"This manor is a place of work, not idle chatter. I expect professionalism and respect from each of you. If you cannot provide that, you will find yourself without employment. Is that understood?"

A chorus of "Yes, Your Grace" echoed through the hall.

"Good. Now return to your duties."

As the servants dispersed, Adelaide felt a mixture of satisfaction and lingering frustration. She was determined to build a new life with Luca and earn the respect of those around her, but the road ahead was clearly going to be a challenging one.

As dinner time approached, Adelaide found herself sitting at the long, polished dining table, the array of sumptuous dishes laid out before her. Her stomach rumbled softly, but her upbringing and the stern admonishments of her governess echoed in her mind. Gluttony is a sin, she reminded herself. Ladies eat only to stay alive, not to be filled.

The Duke of Ashbourne, Luca, watched her with concern. He noted the tension in her posture, the way she picked at her food, barely touching anything. He had expected dinner to be a more relaxed affair, hoping to bridge the distance between them further, but her demeanor troubled him.

"Adelaide," he said gently, "please eat something. You've hardly had a bite."

She glanced up, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm not very hungry, Your Grace," she replied softly.

"Adelaide, you need to eat," he insisted, his voice tender but firm. "Please, for me."

Taking a deep breath, Adelaide nodded. She carefully picked up her fork and took a small bite of the roasted chicken. The flavors burst in her mouth, and her hunger surged.

She took another bite, and then another, her restraint slipping away. Before she realized it, she was devouring the food in front of her, savoring each mouthful with an almost childlike enthusiasm.

Luca watched with a mixture of relief and amusement. He was glad she was finally eating, even if it was less ladylike than he had expected. There was something endearing about seeing her let go of her rigid control.

Adelaide, caught up in the moment, failed to notice Luca's smile. She continued eating until she felt satiated, her initial embarrassment forgotten in the face of her hunger.

When she finally looked up, she saw Luca's amused expression and blushed deeply. "I... I'm sorry," she stammered, mortified by her unladylike behavior.

Luca chuckled softly. "There's nothing to apologize for, Adelaide. I'm just glad to see you eat. You shouldn't worry so much about what's proper. What matters is your health and well-being."

His words were kind and understanding, and Adelaide felt a warmth spread through her. Maybe this marriage could work, she thought, as long as they both made an effort to understand and support each other.