Page 25

“I honestly have no intention of regarding him at all. This is his home, after all. He is allowed to do as he pleases, but he should not expect more from me than he sees,” Anna sighed tiredly

She would protect them from anything and anyone who posed a threat to them, and in her eyes, Hudson, who could not bring himself to understand the purity of his own brother’s feelings and respect the relationship Cornelius craved to build, had no place beside her children, attempting to raise them. He was only going to taint all the work she had put in.

“Forgive me if I speak out of turn, Your Grace, but… Is that really what you want? To raise your children in such a divided household?” the housekeeper questioned quietly, as though softening her tone and voice would lessen the blow of her words.

Anna thought of her sister, if all the support she was given by her husband, who looked at her as though she had hung the stars in the sky herself. She recalled that once upon a time, she had prayed such love would find her, had ached to be seen and be adored.

It was all she had wanted for a long time; however, fate appeared to have other plans for her. Now, it was too late to despair or mourn what was lost. This was the life she had been dealt, and she would live it, as best as it could.

“I don’t have much of a choice, Miss Hill. There is no use in having frivolous expectations, as though I do not know or understand my current position. I will simply do as I have always done and put the children first,” Anna said as she gently stroked Timothy’s cheeks, her heart warming as his little pink lips parted into a wide yawn. “That is all I can do.”

If the housekeeper held any further reservations about Anna’s choices, she did not say anything more about it. She simply nodded, accepting the decision the duchess had made.

“Very well, Your Grace.”

“I see not much has changed,” Hudson hummed as he settled down behind his desk.

He has expected his study to look as deserted as it had been for the last year, but oddly enough, there was not one speck of dust to be found. He had taken with him every important piece of work and valuable document when he left, so the room was a tad barer than it was usually, but it was also unexpectedly clean.

“Her Grace gave clear instructions that every room in the estate was to be cleaned daily – especially after the twins were born. She did not want to expose them to any diseases,” the butler, Oliver, told him quietly.

It was surprisingly that Anna had not decided to turn his study into a storage room or simply left it to fall to ruin with dust and insects. But hearing that she had been quite particular about the cleanliness of the environment for the sake of their children made his heart feel strange.

“Why didn’t you tell me when she was with child? Or even after my children had been born? How could you, like everyone else, keep such important news from me?” Hudson asked quietly.

He had been uncertain whether to be perturbed by the fact that not one of his stand members had tried to tell him about the existence of his children or be impressed by the level of loyalty they felt towards the duchess.

“We did not keep it from you in an attempt to be malicious, Your Grace. Her Grace had emphasized that it was important to her to maintain the secrecy, and we only wanted to ensure that she was happy and satisfied.” Oliver responded, hanging his head low.

“And does your loyalty to me mean nothing to you all? I am the one who pays your wages. If I knew that every penny I spent, ensuring that all the tenants of my household lead as comfortable lives as possible, would be for naught, perhaps I might have been more careful with my spending,” the duke sneered, feeling a mild headache settle between his brows.

“Y-Your Grace, we really are so very sorry. She – she simply looked truly distraught. We only did what you’d asked and ensured we kept her comfortable and as happy as we could. Keeping her secrets felt like the only available choice to us.”

“Two children!” Hudson roared, slamming his fist on the table. “Not one, but two! My children. You all hid that from me for three months after their birth and longer after their conception.”

The butler hung his head, remorse weighing down his frame.

“We are so very sorry, Your Grace. I, myself, am deeply sorry. I am willing to accept whatever punishment you deem fit. On behalf of others. You may will me to retire and I will, but I ask that you spare the other staff and the duchess your wrath.” Oliver begged.

While Hudson was still upset with Anna for hiding the truth of their children from him, he felt strangely relieved to see that she was supported by the household he had left behind. He simply exhaled, stifling the anger and irritation dwelling within him and slowly realizing that he was actually relieved.

“Do you think I’ve made a mistake? Returning like this and claiming that I will not leave without getting to know my children?” he queried, feeling oddly hesitant.

“Certainly not, Your Grace. I believe that you deserve to bond with your children and watch them grow. All fathers deserve that honor.”

The whole matter was quite sensitive, and Hudson could hardly fathom the array of feelings swirling within him. But still, he was determined to see things through, no matter what it would take.

CHAPTER TEN

“S-Shall we send for the duchess, Your Grace?” Oliver asked, his gaze as uncertain as his voice was nervous.

Wordlessly, Hudson retrieved his pocket watch, his lips pressing firmly into a displeased frown as a new wave of irritation washed over him.

He had been waiting here for over half an hour already, and the duchess had yet to make an appearance. The duke had tried to be patient, willing to assume that she was simply running a little late to join him, but a part of him was all too aware that he had been disregarded, despite it being his first day back home.

“Would there be any point? Any courteous wife who cared for her husband would have sent word – at least some form of an apology for her late arrival. But it would seem that she is rather content in letting me dwell by myself, with no form of regard at all,” Hudson said, angrily.

“That is not the case, Your Grace –”