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The duke
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2023-06-12 21:20:21Edward snorted. "To marry us of course, he brought the license with him. And Mr. Brown
and the maid Helena will be witnesses."
She stood near the fire, it lit up her angelic face. Most of her blonde curls were pinned up,
but some hung down around her cheeks, framing her face. Her waist wasn't as narrow as some women, and he did not miss how her breasts swelled. She was beautiful, like an angel, and she did not deserve a hideous monster like him. He swallowed hard, trying to compose himself.
He stepped closer, so she could see more of him, but kept his face angled in a way that would keep his scar and eye from her view. She smelled heavenly, like flowers and sunshine on a Spring morning. She
barely came to the middle of his chest. He had an instant desire to hold her.
It had been so long since he felt the touch of a woman. Since before his accident, since
before he became too hideous for anyone to love.
Emily gasped. "Marry? Here? Now? Surely you were going to give it a week or so. A
wedding needs to be planned. I don't even have a dress!"
He scoffed. "Wedding? Heavens no. Get those foolish notions out of your head, woman.
A wedding isn't required for us to be married. We will have the papers done here, tonight we will consummate it, and with any luck from God, you'll become with child and we won't have to do it again."
Her blue eyes blinked in surprise at him and they filled with tears. "Why is this happening? I was supposed to marry the Duke of Bedford, now I'm here. You won't even let me see you and you want me to marry you before we even get to know each other?" She covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
He swallowed hard and looked away from her. A part of him almost wanted to call the
whole thing off. But his family's fortune stood on the line. He needed an heir. This marriage needed to happen. It was only a few days she needed to bear him and then she would be free. If she took a lover at his other estate, he would not blame her. She deserved more than him.
He wished he could give her what she deserved, but he had a right to be a tad selfish. His lineage was on the line.
Her sobs filled the otherwise quiet room and, at a loss of what to do, he turned away from her and fixed his sight firmly outside the window where the flowers were just about to bloom, adding a little bit of color to the otherwise drab hall.
He had thought that the only thing that would make her burst into tears was the sight of his face, but it seemed the gods found it funny to gift him a woman that still believed in romance and who was more than likely in love with another man.
Who is the Duke of Bedford? His fist tightened in anger but he relaxed his tightened fingers and drew in a quiet breath.
There is no need to be up in arms about the issue. It is understandable that there be another man who had caught her fancy. No, she is quite beautiful and he wouldn't be a fool to think that there hadn't been a lot of men vying for her attention. His only concern should be that she shouldn't make the mistake of inviting any of them into her bed, at least not until he has his heir and a spare. He doesn't want to doubt the paternity of his children.
Clearing his throat, he carefully turned his gaze back to her, careful to keep his frame still shrouded in darkness.
"Mr. Brown will lead some maids to take up your bags to your room and he will introduce you to your personal maid. Please go with him and have a moment's rest. You'll be called when the priest has arrived."
Her sobs had quietened down but she was still sniffing, her face looking drawn and sad.
When Mr. Brown moved ahead of her and held open the door, she hesitated for several moments before reluctantly heading towards the open door. Just before the door closed, she looked back and summoned courage to ask the question that had been troubling her.
"What am I to wear then?" She asked in a small voice, sounding lost. Guilt pricked him but he didn't let it move him. This was all for her protection.
"Wear anything you like. You'll look lovely anyway."
She seemed taken aback by his compliment and stared at his shadowed frame for several long seconds before moving away from the threshold. Once the door closed behind her, he released a long pent-up breath and sank into his cushioned chair, running his hand through his hair. He felt the beginning of a blinding headache and would love nothing more than to take a finger -or two- of scotch, but he was about to be wed and needed all his wits around him.
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The Alpha King's Little Bride   Epilogue
Emily raised her head from the table, feeling pains around her neck area. With her eyes still closed, she touched it slightly and groaned silently.Opening both eyes, she looked around and realized she was still in the restaurant but it was late at night. "It is already late?" she asked herself and got a reply fr the old butler who just came back from the gents. "Yes, Her Grace." he replied, walking up to her slowly. "And where is His Grace?" the Duchess asked, showing how annoyed she is through the expression on her face. "I do not think he will be..." Mr Brown had not finished talking when Emily hit the table so loud that everyone in there, turned to take a glance at what was happening. "What do you mean?! I have waited for him and yet, he is not going to make it to this place?" Emily asked angrily.The old butler did not know how to calm her down and so he just stood without uttering a sound, arms at the back, heads down.Seeing the old butler not responding, she annoyingly carri
The Alpha King's Little Bride   108
The royal guard quietly walked into the manor which he had seen the Duke's younger brother in. Looking around, he gave a voiceless sound at what he saw. He could not help but put his hand over his head and shake it for what seemed like forever. The structure of the manor made him wonder if it was Williams that owned it or another person. He, then, looked at the floor to see if he could sight a stick for clearing the bush that prevented him from passing.On catching sight of one, he picked it immediately and used it for the purpose. Swinging it, he made way for himself into the manor. "What type of building is this?" he said as he shook his head. He stood in front of the manor in an akimbo position. Sighing, he decided to enter into the manor. Surprisingly, the door was opened wide and this made the guard stop and look back. "Is there not anyone staying here? Why does it look so quiet?" He asked himself as he held the handle of the door. Summoning courage, he entered into the buildin
The Alpha King's Little Bride   107
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The Alpha King's Little Bride   106
"Was that how he got to know about black magic?" Edward asked Mr Brown who was seated near him."Yes. And he hid it from your brother." Mr Brown answered. "Do you know why?" the old butler added, facing the Duke. "No, I....." Edward, then, looked at Mr Brown intensely. The old butler looked at him as if saying "you really do not know?" The Duke looked back at the floor and suddenly tapped his lap twice."I know! Because Williams will use it for his bad purpose." he said, looking at the old butler. "Exactly, His Grace." Mr Brown said, nodding his head. "So if he had the opportunity without my father's help, he would use it against everyone right?" Edward asked. "Yes and also use it against the person that denied him that opportunity." the old butler concluded. "That would mean death....right?" the Duke asked, slowly looking at the ceiling and immediately to the old butler. "Yes." Mr Brown replied. At this point, Mr Brown needed the Duke to get the point he wanted to prove to him. "H
The Alpha King's Little Bride   105
The Duke and Mr Brown got to the manor in no time. This was because they whipped the horses to run faster. Now that they had a proper clue of what they wanted to deal with, they individually made up their minds to end the whole situation."Finally, we are here." Mr Brown muttered as he came down from the horse. He called the second stable boy."Yes sir." the boy answered. "I need you to call the royal guards for me. Tell them it is very urgent." the old butler said, as he rubbed the horse's back. "Okay sir." the boy replied, running as fast as his legs could carry him."Have you told him what to do?" the Duke asked, approaching the barn. "Yes, His Grace." Mr Brown responded. "Good." Edward said, looking into the woods."What do we need to do now?" the old butler asked. "We just need to find the killer since we are this close." Edward replied. "But first, there is something I need to show you. Follow me." the Duke added, going out of the barn and heading to the manor. "Okay His Grace."
The Alpha King's Little Bride   104
"If I were in his shoes, I would have dealt with the Duke severely. But I would not let it be obvious that I am the one carrying out the acts. It would just be like an insect, eating up the vegetable from within." Hannah said firmly. Emily looked at her, opened her mouth and waved one of her fingers in the air as if to say something. Hannah thought she had offended the Duchess and immediately knelt to beg her. "I am so sorry Her Gra...." She was about finishing the statement when Emily interrupted her."No no, that was not what I meant. Please rise." Emily said as she assisted the housekeeper to stand by using both of her hands. She held her shoulders tight and said "Look Hannah, you have really helped me to see what I needed. I can not walk on this journey alone." the Duchess added."I need your help. I would explain everything to you." Emily said as she quickly dragged the housekeeper by her hand and ran as fast as she could. "Her Grace, I do not seem to understand what is going..
The Alpha King's Little Bride   103
"Wow! The sky looks radiating, making it difficult to take my eyes off it." Emily said, swinging her hands sideways and making claps. It had been a while she felt genuinely happy and refreshing. With all that had been happening, she had been in her space, scared to come out. But was helped by her best friend's comfort and definitely, her husband, the Duke. Hannah, who always stayed behind her, followed her slowly. As the housekeeper walked having both of her hands in front of her, with her fingers interlocked, she observed the Duchess. "She looks peaceful and free. I think she is already getting comfortable in here." Hannah thought. "Hannah." Emily called. "Yes ma" the housekeeper answered, moving to her side. "How long have you been here?" the Duchess asked. "For thirteen years, Her Grace." Hannah said as she bowed slightly. "You have actually stayed here for long." Emily added, facing her. The housekeeper responded with a nod."Which means you know a lot about the Duke and his fa
The Alpha King's Little Bride   102
Emily woke to the singing of the birds near her window. She turned slightly to the opening that made the sun rays shine brightly into the room. The light from the beautiful day's gift made her cover her face with her right hand. "Urgghh, it is too bright!" She exclaimed.As she was about sitting upright, a hand out of nowhere put down the drape."Why would the sun ever think of hurting you?" The voice said. She turned immediately and was about jumping up from the bed when she saw Edward.On seeing him, she sighed and relaxed back on the bed."Were you that scared?" Edward said, sitting near were she was lying and rubbing her forehead. She mumbled something he did not hear. "Good morning my Queen. I hope you are better now?" Edward continued. "Good morning His Grace." She replied, sitting up again. Looking at him, she asked "How did you know I was not okay and where is Victoria?""Victoria is carrying out her duties in the kitchen. She reported to me this morning about your welfare. S
The Alpha King's Little Bride   101
The Duke followed Mr Brown to the barn. It was already late at night and so they took a wooden lamp along with them. Mr Brown got to the barn and signaled for them to sit. Edward obeyed and sat. Despite the fact that Mr Brown worked under him, he still showed respect to the old man. He had been working for his father before he kicked the bucket. He had also been taking care of he and his junior brother, William ever since they were little. With several sacrifices, the old butler had taken his time to train them well but William chose the wrong part to follow.Thinking of all the good and bad times they have had together, it made Edward love the old butler even when he gives certain attitudes."Mr Brown, what is the matter?" Edward asked as he sat slowly on the wooden box that was used by the stable boy. "Your Grace, I am sorry for disturbing you after meal. I just needed to relay some essential information to you." the old butler replied, looking at the Duke. While saying this, he al
