“Sophia…” The Duke addressed her with just her name for the first time, causing her to look up at him. “You are beginning to worry me, just a little.”
“Your Grace, do you expect me to give you an heir?” she blurted out, unable to control herself. “I am sorry for my bluntness, but the question has been haunting me for some time now. I must know.”
The Duke seemed taken aback by her question. He took a moment to reel himself in before responding.
“Madam,” his voice was soft, “you do not have to worry. I am not going to force myself on you. It is not something I could evenimagine doing. I understand that our union is one born out of duty, and I would not expect you to bear a child for me.”
Immediately, a sense of relief flooded Sophia, but then a sense of emptiness began to take over her.
She felt confused by her own reaction. Could it be that she was secretly hoping that he would say the opposite?
And that was when the hurt began to seep in. She started to question herself whether she was not woman enough for him to want to produce a child with her.
Not wanting him to see the hurt on her face, she quickly hung her head low, so he could not see her expression.
“I see. That was what I was expecting to hear,” she replied, her tone stripped of any kind of emotion.
“You shall be able to live quite independently,” he continued. “I have made arrangements for you to have your own bed chambers. Rest assured, I will not make you share a bed with me if you were not comfortable by the idea.”
“I… of course, that is very kind of you.” She managed a smile, but it did not reach her eyes.
“As for your everyday needs, we have staff that can cater to everything. You will not need to worry about anything, and yourlady’s maid will be there as well. She will tend to you and be made available for you.”
“Of course.”
“I am glad that we have gotten these things out of the way. I wish for you to feel comfortable at Blackmoore Estate, for it is your home now.”
They parted their ways shortly after. She was taken to her private chambers while the Duke disappeared down the hallway.
As she sat at the edge of her bed, still in her wedding gown, a strange sense of loneliness began to overcome her being.
She was married, but her husband did not share a room with her.
She was married, but her husband did not want her to bear his children.
The thought hurt her more deeply than she had expected it to. Immediately, she found herself missing her home. This would be the first night she would ever spend away from her home, and it felt quite unfortunate that she had to do so alone.
The sound of a loud meow pulled her out of her thoughts, and she looked to find Cecil emerging from underneath the bed.
“Oh my God, Cecil,” she cried out, grabbing the furry animal in her arms at once and kissing it repeatedly on the top of its head. “Oh, I am so glad that you are here.”
She cuddled the animal close to her chest as he purred happily in her lap. Her aunt must have transported him here earlier.
Even though she still missed her home and her own room terribly, having Cecil here was enough to cure her homesickness a little.
And then there was a knock on her door.
“Come in.”
She wondered if it was the Duke, hoping to speak to him again, but it was just one of the maids.
“Your Grace, I am Lilly. I was told that your lady’s maid will be arriving by tomorrow and that I should take care of whatever it is that you may need for the night.” The woman smiled brightly at her.
Sophia felt starved for company and gestured for her to come in.
“Perhaps you can assist me in getting these pins out of my hair,” Sophia said, moving over to the vanity.
“Of course, Madam.”
