Run Mrs. Duvier

CHAPTER 12

Sunshine poured inside her bedroom making her wince when she opens her eyes. She looked around and saw her wedding gown fold neatly in a box. She remembered, her Aunt Liz and the servants waiting for the newlywed at the castle entrance. Her new husband, step down from the car while she followed clumsily behind with the bellows of white lace and tulle. Ann ran towards her and help her with the gown she was wearing. The maid stopped in her tracks when she saw Agnes’ face, mascara and makeup dried up on her cheeks after she stops crying.

     Ann hurriedly pulls out from her pocket a white handkerchief and wipes her face tenderly. “Beas, the man is a beast. I can’t believe he made you cry.”

     Chris strode at the steps of the castle and smiled triumphantly. His eyes roamed at the old building with possession in his eyes.

     He smiled at the grand lady of the castle and said, “Prepare the master’s bedroom.” His eyes challenged Lady Elizabeth.

     The old lady squared her shoulder. Her haughty nose looked down at him. She said in an authoritative voice, “You heard the new master of Winshord Castle. Prepare his bedroom.”

     The servants scurried right away followed by Ann. Smith was the only remaining servant, face expressionless as he watched at the new master.

     Chris Duvier strode inside the castle, branding his territory. She followed them, feeling tired and drain. She felt she handed Chris Duvier everything in a silver platter. He strode inside the formal living room. Touching, each object that holds his interest.

     “I used to wonder how it looks inside. I was never invited in. The only place for me was the stable and servants’ quarters at the back end of the castle.”, he mused remembering those days. He would try to glimpse if Lea was around. “Now, I own this pile of rubble.”

     “Winshord Castle is no rubble.” Agnes lashes angrily at the man who took everything from her.

     Amusement glimmered in his eyes. He said mockingly, “I feel I just burn myself. A castle that is about to collapse and a rebellious bride who looks terrible.”

     Agnes pulled herself up and raise her chin in defiance, “You wanted to get out now Duvier?”

     “No darling, I feel like playing master for a while.”

     “Awhile?” she stared at the man. Her mind raising in panic. How long will he stay here in the Winshord? She had the hope that after the wedding he will disappear and do his own business like he always does.

     “Yes, darling ---awhile.” He smiled at her mockingly. “We still have our honeymoon, remember?”

     She paled, “Honeymoon?” she repeated stupidly.

     Chris Duvier smiled at her. His eyes glittered as he scathingly looked her up and down. “Don’t worry about tonight, I will not impose on you. In good time, we will fulfill the contract.”

     He whistled away strolling like the master visiting his vast estate. Her Aunt Liz silently followed him. She ran upstairs, angry and irritated by her husband. She slammed the door behind her. She was too mad and tired at the same time to notice Ann quietly, undressing her. Her body refuses to move an ounce more but her mind was racing like a madwoman.

     She stumbled out of her bed when she woke up the next morning. Her head swims and her eyes blur. She pulled her dressing robe and washed her face in the bathroom. Today is the first day of being the wife of Chris Duvier. What the future holds for her? Only God knows. She cannot discern what life with him entails.

     Then, she remembered the contract which her husband pointedly told her last night. The thought of fulfilling the contract felt her with dread. What must she do? She must find a way to wiggle out of the situation.

     Agnes dressed up in a white t-shirt, old jeans, and old sneaker shoes. She tightly ties her hair in a ponytail and left her face bare. She wanted to leave the house before Chris Duvier will wake up. She plans to visit the town and visit her friend who lives far away from the castle. It’s the only way she can think of avoiding her husband.

     Hurriedly, she grabbed her bag and ran down the long winding staircase. She knows it’s the cowardly way out but the idea of spending the night with her husband made her sick.

     “Going somewhere my love?” a mocking voice asked her from behind.

     She turned around guiltily. The villain of her nightmare watched her intently with those cold grey eyes.

     “Am I going to ask permission too, every time I go out?”

     “No, but as your husband, it's reasonable to ask his wife where she’s going.”

     “For real marriage, yes but to farce marriage no. I already told you specifically in the contract that I want to be free and I’m not beholden to you.”

     Chris smiled mockingly, “I’m glad that you decided to follow the contract to the letter”.

     “Consummate.”, The taboo word came unbidden from her mind. She flushed and tried to look away from Chris Duvier.

     “I’m going to visit my friend.” She mumbled, looking down at her shoes.

     “Sure, have fun!” he said sweetly. “Be sure to be home tonight, hon. Tonight would be special.”

     Agnes gasped and looked at the mocking face of Chris Duvier. He was enjoying her reaction and his grin cannot hide it.

     “You maniac!” Agnes hissed at him.

     He laughed and called out as she sprints out to exit. “Don’t forget our date tonight!”

     She stormed out of the castle in a cloud of fury. The man is impossible! She was now in a panic. The old bike she uses squeak in protest as she furiously pedaled out from the estate.

     Lady Elizabeth paces impatiently at the foyer, waiting for her eldest niece to arrive. She was gone since this morning. She called many times on her cellphone but it’s off.

     “Smith! Did you call again?” the agitated baroness asked for the nth time.

     “Yes, my lady.” Unperturbed, the butler replied.

     “I’m going to give her a whipping when she arrives.  The girl had no care in the world if we already went berserk looking for her.” Lady Elizabeth paces the floor back and forth.

     Chris Duvier was leaning at the archway going to the formal living room, watching the old lady worriedly pacing at the room. He glances at his watch to check the time – 10 pm. It's late. He should not have scared Agnes this morning. The fear and panic in her eyes when she looked at him that morning should have warned him that it would not be easy. It was never easy with her. Agnes Walden no Agnes Duvier, keep him always on his toes.

     “Duvier, I think it’s time for us to call a search party.” The old baroness said grimly.

     “I already send one, my Lady. My people are combing the area now. We’ll wait for the news.”

     The elderly woman looked at Duvier with admiration. During this time, swift action is necessary. She nods, thankfully at him. She sat down in one of the waiting chairs in the foyer. Suddenly, feeling tired. Duvier presence in their household created some semblance of order, that was absent before.

     Today, Chris Duvier managed to have a meeting with the servants, tour the estate and check on the accounting books which were meticulously recorded by her niece. He's been calling on contractors, architects, and designers to do home improvements. Even the pantry, was stock full with the nearby grocer and farmers came delivering food and produce from their farm. It was a relief at the same time sad, to let the responsibility go.

     The entrance door open and Chris Duvier's driver emerged. He looked at his boss and said, “We found Mrs. Duvier, in her best friend’s home.”

     “Where is she now?” Lady Elizabeth demanded.

     The driver cleared his throat uncomfortably, looking away from the lady, “She refuses to go home, my lady.”

     Chris Duvier laughed. Amused by his wife's open defiance. “Looks, like she will be spending her honeymoon with her best friend.”

     “There’s nothing funny about it, Duvier!” the baroness reprimanded him sharply.

     “My dear lady Elizabeth, your niece is a married woman, of the right age and a sound mind. She was aware of what she is doing. Let her come back in her own time. For now, you need your beauty sleep. Your age is showing off.”

     The baroness looked at him sharply when he baited her with her age. “I’ll mind my looks and age Duvier but please make sure that you take care of your wife. You are after all part of the family.”

     He bowed mockingly, “Of course, my lady. Your wish is my command.”

     Lady Elizabeth stood up and strode up to the stairs. Halfway she paused and look down on him, “Agnes is very precious to us Duvier. Make sure you make her happy or else, I will take her back.”

     Chris Duvier smiled coldly and said, “You will have her back in a year, my lady. In my terms…”

     “Let’s see whose terms it is. Agnes might surprise you.” Then she continues climbing the stairs, closely followed by Smith. He watched the baroness disappear to her bedroom. The anger he’s been controlling emerged. He had enough of the snobbery of the Walden’s. Right now, he felt like he was still the stable boy and not the master of the castle.