She felt she didn’t deserve to be treated like this, and at the same time, she felt ungrateful because her new life included a luxurious mansion and an easy existence. Ironically, Leo was offering her the very same thing he had mocked when she was considering accepting Nathaniel’s proposal.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that both of them were trapped in this cage.
CHAPTER 18
Late Night Study
“Ireally like this room,” Abigail said. “Was that always here?”
“What? Oh, yes. It was just closed, never used,” Prim responded.
Abigail’s announcement made her feel happy, at least at first. Now, sitting in this beautiful room that she had decorated, she wasn't so sure. Could she talk with your friend freely? Could you share how she felt, what was really going on behind the closed doors of the estate? Which, honestly, was not much. Apart from renovating this room and taking care of the library and some basic logistics for the estate, she had nothing else to report about married life.
“I am really happy it all worked out, Prim,” Abigail said honestly
Prim would really love to make a follow-up question regarding how Abigail believed that this situation is how everything should be worked out. She would really hate to see things not work out. But she was now a Duchess, there was some image to uphold and the same went for Leo.
“Yes, I think it's truly for the best,” Prim lied through her teeth.
“It would be really lovely if you were actually convinced of that,” Abigail said.
“Am I that obvious?”
“Well, I am observant. Plus, I pride myself on knowing you a little. This compliant fake reaction is not the real you. What did Leo do? I can send word to Edwin to come here.”
“That is not necessary. Leo has been generous and polite, especially regarding how we ended up in this situation.”
“Generous? And polite? Are we still talking about Leo?”
“I know what you're thinking, but trust me. No matter what goes on in your mind, it couldn't be further from the truth.”
“I am not thinking something unconventional… I was merely asking if you were happy.”
“I am content.”
“Content is not happy.”
“I know. I do have some generic grasp of English.”
“They say that couples start to look alike. Look at you already deflecting with humor just like our Leo does.”
Prim looked at Abigail with a deep look. She knew that her friend meant well, that she was worried after all that had happened. But how could Prim explain the extent of emotional labor, the responsibility, and the blame she had shouldered not in the past days, but for years. And how it feels to think that for the years to come, Prim can never relax and rest.
“I know it can feel overwhelming,” Abigail leaned and tapped Prim’s hand. “I was a poor vicar’s daughter before I became the Duchess. I had completely given up on marriage. But life does not always evolve according to our expectations.”
“That might be the understatement of the century. Despite what everyone thinks, I never truly believed that I would find myself married to Leo.”
“Leo is many things, but he will never turn his back on his responsibilities. I am not talking about the incident at the ball. I am talking about his family coming after you. This was the only way to protect you.”
“I hope you hear yourself because then you would have the answers to exactly how I feel.”
Abigail frowned and looked at her friend with worry. Prim wanted to say everything and nothing.
Sitting in the lavish room for which she had spent an amount of money that she had never dreamed of, drinking the most precious of tea and having an assortment of biscuits made by a cook who was especially hired for them, made her feel like an ungrateful, rebellious bird flapping against her golden bars for her cage.
“I do not know what's going on between you and Leo. I do not want to assume. And I can see you're not ready to talk about it. Just let me tell you that I know exactly how it feels. And if I may, my sweet friend, a little reminder. Yes, Leo is a powerful Duke, this vast estate is his family’s, and he has wealth, power, and authority. Still, regardless of how and why, you are now the lady of this house. You are a Duchess.”
That night, Prim was sitting in her chambers. Her cozy sitting room had a little fireplace in previous looking at the flames dancing. The rose ring on her finger caught the light.
