Chapter Ten.

The following morning, Lord Timothy observed his family during breakfast, noting their solemn silence, each lost in private thoughts. He wondered why harmony was so elusive among them. His two sons, Garet and Edward, had been rivals since childhood, bickering and competing at every turn. Lady Delinda, his current wife, had never seemed to intervene. "They are but children, my lord," she would often say dismissively. "Boys are bound to quarrel, especially young Edward. I know Garet dislikes him and may pick on him from time to time, but worry not, my lord. When they are older, they shall surely get along."

Lord Timothy looked around at his family, feeling the absence of warmth and joy that once filled his home. When Lady Elisabeth, his first wife, had left, it was as though the light had been snuffed out. He had not chosen her of his own will, his father had arranged the marriage. While he may not have loved her deeply, she had been a wise and graceful presence, aiding him in matters of estate and making prudent decisions on his behalf. Yet, over time, he found himself drawn to Delinda.

Lady Elisabeth had repeatedly warned him, insisting that Delinda was a witch who had ensnared him with sorcery. "She uses potions, my lord," Elisabeth would say, "and lures you with unnatural charms." Her relentless accusations grated on him, and soon Delinda's tearful pleas to leave the estate with their son drove him to act. "A Duke's son belongs in his father's household," she would weep, "and should not suffer the slander of his father's wife." Eventually, he grew closer to Delinda, captivated by her charms. She had a way of making him feel powerful, respected and even cherished.

One morning, Lady Elisabeth stormed into Delinda's chamber, accusing her of witchcraft outright. "I have proof, my lord," she claimed, brandishing a bundle of dried herbs. "This is what she uses on you." Lord Timothy summoned the Duke's botanist to examine the plants. After careful inspection, the botanist remarked, "My lord, these are rare herbs, indeed, but not dangerous. They are used to fortify one's health and lend calm to the spirit, beneficial, if taken in moderation."

Timothy, furious, confronted Elisabeth. "How dare you slander Delinda!" he shouted. "I know you bear no affection for her, but she is the mother of my child." Just then, a servant approached, leaning close to whisper that the Chronicle of Laws decreed anyone found guilty of accusating another of sorcery without solid evidence should be banished from the countryside. Unknown to Timothy, the servant had been sent by Delinda.

Timothy's face paled at the thought of such a punishment, for despite their differences, he cared for Lady Elisabeth and would not wish such a fate upon her. Yet Elisabeth, unmoved, insisted on the validity of her claim, so a quiet decision was made. As she was a Duchess, it was agreed she would be sent away discreetly, sparing her public shame. She was to leave without Garet, who would remain under his father's care. A small party would escort her to a distant countryside, allowing her to choose her place of settlement. In a final act of compassion, Timothy provided her with provisions, food, clothing, and water enough to sustain her journey.

After her departure, Garet transformed from a lively child into a withdrawn boy, often sulking in solitude and frequently throwing fits. "I will not eat until my mother returns," he would cry. Lady Delinda advised Timothy to lock the boy in his chamber whenever he misbehaved, a tactic that ultimately subdued his tantrums, though it never fully quieted his spirit.

Reflecting on these events, Timothy questioned his choices. He imagined a different life, perhaps a happier one, if only he had remained with Elisabeth and Garet alone. He knew where his decline had begun: in his youth, when he allowed his cousin to lead him into a life of revelry, drinking, and women, against his father's stern advice. Even after vowing to reform, he found himself helplessly drawn to Delinda, captivated by her allure and her soothing herbal teas.

Now, he gazed at his sons, troubled by the path his family had taken. Garet, thankfully, seemed untouched by his father's weaknesses, bearing a quiet strength and dignity. Edward, however, seemed every bit his father's son, indulging in drink and debauchery at a young age, much to Timothy's distress. Any attempt to correct Edward's behavior met with resistance from Delinda, who would claim, "You show Garet favoritism, my lord, while neglecting our son. Is it any wonder he acts out?"

Timothy could only wish he might turn back time, to guide himself along a more honorable path and lead as a better Duke. Now, his focus was on Garet, who, as his firstborn and most able son, would be the one to succeed him. Timothy believed Garet would make a fine Duke infact far better than his brother Edward, and a ruler of whom he could be proud.

Gazing out the grand windows of his study, Timothy watched as the sun dipped low over the countryside, casting a warm, golden hue over the estate. Yet, despite the day's fading beauty, a weight hung over him, unseen but undeniable. He hoped, somehow, to forge a new beginning through Garet's future, to mend the fractures within his family. But as the evening shadows crept across the room, he couldn't shake the feeling that remnants of the past would soon return to haunt him. Little did he know, Lady Elisabeth's arrival was imminent, her presence destined to disrupt the uneasy peace that had settled over his household.