My Bratty Wife
Chapter 61 - Sixty One

Chapter 61: Chapter Sixty One

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the window as Madame Helena meticulously took Suzy’s measurements. Swathes of silks and satins lay draped across the chaise lounge, whispering promises of elegance and grandeur.

Finally, after a flurry of measuring and sketching, Madame Helena straightened up, a satisfied glint in her eyes. "There, Duchess," she said, her voice a purr of confidence. "I believe I have a good understanding of your vision. Tell me, do you have a particular color or style in mind for your ball gown?"

Suzy pondered for a moment, picturing herself amidst the whirling lights and festive ambience of the ball. "Something that reflects the spirit of the season," she mused aloud. "Perhaps a vibrant emerald green, with a touch of flowing elegance that allows for movement."

Madame Helena nodded in agreement. "Emerald green, excellent," she declared. "It will complement your complexion beautifully. As for the style, I’m thinking something with a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt, perhaps with a hint of cascading ruffles."

Suzy felt a thrill of excitement shoot through her. Madame Helena’s words painted a picture that surpassed even her own imagination. "That sounds perfect, Madame Helena," she agreed, her voice brimming with anticipation.

With a flurry of activity, Madame Helena gathered her tools and sketches. "Then consider it settled, Duchess," she said crisply. "I’ll work through the night, and your gown will be delivered first thing on the morning of the third day."

Suzy expressed her gratitude profusely. Having Madame Helena’s expertise at her disposal was a weight lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you, Madame Helena," she said sincerely. "You’re a lifesaver."

The modiste smiled, a rare expression on her usually serious face. "It’s my pleasure, Duchess," she replied. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must return to my work and ensure your vision is brought to life."

With that, Madame Helena swept out of the room, leaving Suzy alone with Doris, who had been a silent observer throughout the whole ordeal. Suzy let out a relieved sigh, sinking onto the chaise lounge.

Doris stepped forward, a subtle question lurking in her eyes. "Dinner, Milady?" she inquired, her brow furrowed. "Would you prefer to dine in your chambers or the dining room?"

Suzy, momentarily distracted by the flurry of activity of the day, hadn’t even considered dinner. "The dining room," she began, then hesitated. "Actually, Doris," she continued, "will the Duke be joining me?"

Doris shook her head. "No, Milady," she replied. "Davis informed me His Grace is quite busy with matters in his study this evening. He won’t be available for dinner."

Suzy frowned slightly. Ryan’s sudden seclusion, especially after their earlier encounter, struck her as odd. Was he working late because of the ball preparations, or was there something else entirely on his mind?

"Very well," she said, pushing aside her curiosity. "Then I’ll have dinner in my room. Something light, perhaps a salad and a glass of white wine."

"Of course, Milady," Doris replied, her voice a soothing balm. "I’ll see to it immediately."

With a gentle nod, Doris hurried away to put Suzy’s request in motion leaving Suzy alone with her thoughts.

Suzy finished the light dinner in her room, a simple salad and a glass of white wine leaving her feeling refreshed but not overly full. With a sigh of contentment, she pushed the tray aside and rose from the table.

Dismissing Doris for the night, Suzy headed for her wardrobe. She slipped out of her dress, the events of the day replaying in her mind.

Shaking off the lingering thoughts, Suzy donned a comfortable nightgown – a simple blue garment that fell just above her knees. Reaching for a book on her bedside table, she settled into the plush comfort of her bed, ready to lose herself in the world of fiction for a while.

As she began reading, a sudden change in the atmosphere caught her attention. A sharp gust of wind rattled the windowpanes, followed by the unmistakable sound of raindrops drumming against the glass. Suzy glanced out the window, watching as the castle grounds were veiled in a curtain of rain.

A smile played on her lips. The rain, a soothing counterpoint to the usual hustle and bustle of the castle, brought with it a sense of peace and tranquility. With a content sigh, Suzy settled deeper into the bed, the rhythmic patter of the rain a gentle lullaby as she drifted off to sleep.

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Suzy woke with a gasp, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. The dream, vivid and unsettling, clung to her like a suffocating cloth.

She ( Cassandra) was in a grand ballroom, a dizzying mixture of glittering chandeliers, swirling gowns, and boisterous laughter. But amidst the festive facade, an undercurrent of dread pulsed through her. Tears streamed down her face, blurring the scene as she ran, desperately searching for an escape.

The polished marble floor felt slick beneath her feet, the music a mixture of sound in her ears. Finally, she burst through a set of heavy oak doors, the cool night air stinging her tear-stained cheeks.

She stumbled forward, her lungs burning with exertion. In the distance, a shadowy silhouette of a well materialized from the darkness. Gasping for breath, Suzy stumbled towards it, her legs weak and wobbly.

Leaning against the rough stone lip, she wiped at her streaming eyes. "I can’t do it," she whispered, her voice hoarse with despair. "I won’t marry him."

A cold gust of wind whipped around her, and a figure appeared from the shadows behind the well. Suzy couldn’t make out the woman’s face, but her voice, echoed in the night.

Suzy spun around, a primal scream rising in her throat. But before she could react, a pair of hands gripped her shoulders with bone-crushing force. A muffled cry escaped her lips as she was shoved backward, the ground rushing up to meet her.

The cold, damp embrace of the well engulfed her. The darkness pressed down, suffocating and terrifying. Her screams were swallowed by the stone walls, the only sound the echoing splash as she hit the water below.

Panic clawed at her throat as icy water seeped into her clothes, weighing her down. She struggled, flailing her limbs in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. A faint glimmer of light flickered above, but it was quickly swallowed by the darkness.

Just as Suzy was about to succumb to the suffocating embrace of the water, a jolt ripped through her. Her eyes snapped open, the dream fading away like smoke in the morning light.

She sat up in bed, drenched in sweat, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. The room was silent, only the pitter patter of the rain could be heard. The only light filtering in was the lamplight beside her bedside table. But the dream, so real, so frightening, lingered, leaving a cold dread in its wake.

Her heart hammered against her ribs, the echo of the dream’s terror a physical presence in her chest. She gasped, a single word escaping her lips in a horrified whisper, "Cassandra... murdered."

Suddenly, the dream’s despair wasn’t just about suffocating under the weight of marrying the Duke – it was about a life stolen, a life cut short. Cassandra hadn’t committed suicide... she’d been murdered.

Panic surged through Suzy. The implications were horrifying. If Cassandra was killed, could the same fate befall her?

Driven by a primal fear, Suzy threw back the covers. Ignoring the dampness clinging to her nightgown, she hurried to the door, her bare feet slapping against the cold stone floor. She didn’t bother with a robe, didn’t even spare a thought for an umbrella. The need to escape, to find answers, propelled her forward.

Hurriedly, she slipped on her slippers and rushed towards the door. Just as she reached for the handle, a voice startled her.

"Your Grace?" it was Noah, her bodyguard, his voice laced with concern. He’d seen her frantic movements and rushed in to check on her.

Suzy whirled around, her voice trembling slightly. "Noah," she stammered, "stay here. Don’t follow me."

Noah’s brow furrowed in confusion. His job was to never let the Duchess out of his sight, but the urgency in her voice, the fear in her eyes, made him hesitate.

Before he could protest, Suzy flung open the door and disappeared into the night. The rain, which had decreased earlier, had returned in full force, the wind whipping it into a frenzy. But Suzy barely noticed. Her mind was racing, a desperate need to unravel the truth fueling her steps.

Down the darkened hallway she ran, the only sound her ragged breaths and the frantic pounding of her heart. She didn’t know where she was going, but the need to get away.

Meanwhile, Noah, left bewildered by Suzy’s sudden flight, found himself torn between his duty and her desperate plea. He knew he shouldn’t disobey her instructions, but the thought of her running out into the storm alone made his stomach churn.

With a conflicted sigh, he opted for a compromise. He wouldn’t follow Suzy directly, but he couldn’t leave her completely unprotected either. He hurried to the Duke’s study, determined to alert him of the situation.

Bursting into the study without announcement, Noah found the Duke engrossed in a stack of papers. "Your Grace!" he exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ryan looked up, a frown creasing his forehead. "Noah?" he said, his voice sharp with surprise. "What is it? Can’t you see I’m busy?"

Noah, barely taking a breath, blurted out, "The Duchess, Your Grace! She left the castle... in the rain... and wouldn’t let me follow her!"

Ryan’s reaction was instantaneous. He shot up from his chair, his face a mask of concern. "What? In the rain? Where did she go?"

Noah shook his head, his voice shaking slightly. "I don’t know, Your Grace. She just ran out... and wouldn’t let me follow her."

Ryan didn’t waste another moment. He snatched a cloak from a nearby stand and threw it around his shoulders. "Get out of my way, Noah," he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. "I’m going to find her."

With that, Ryan rushed past Noah and out of the study, his heart pounding with a mixture of worry and anger. He couldn’t believe Suzy would be so reckless, especially in the middle of the night and the storm. But more importantly, where could she be going in such a state?