My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 165: The Golden Strands of Her Past

Chapter 165: The Golden Strands of Her Past

In two days, Desmond pulled strings to separate him from the estate for the day so he could go to the orphanage with Leonor.

If he were to remove his cloak and fine clothing and ride on horseback to Piedmont, no one would think he was the duke. There were plenty of others who settled in Montclair with horrible scars from the years-long battle. He could blend in easily.

Unfortunately, Leonor could not. Many knew her distinguishable face already. It would also be better for her not to hide and embrace the image of the duchess she was pursuing.

Visiting an orphanage could be seen as a charitable endeavor.

It was decided they would arrive in Piedmont in a carriage bearing the duke’s silver and forest green coat of arms. They would wear suitable clothing and behave appropriately for their stations that day.

What Leonor didn’t know were the other plans Desmond had set out for them. They would happen after they visit the orphanage.

Considering this visit was planned, there was far more fuss over their arrival. Older orphans lined the hallway leading up to the front entrance, many of them wearing sheathed swords attached to their belts to signify the sword training they received there because of the duke.

They were led by the headmaster, Armand, to a sitting area where they were to discuss a few things at first.

Since Leonor hadn’t seen the duke and headmaster interact, she was surprised when they acted familiar with each other. Although the headmaster was more comfortable, Desmond seemed resistant to the clear friendship they had.

When the door to the sitting room was shut tightly and one of Montclair’s guards stood outside of it, the real conversation began.

"I can only assume your visit is because of Leo," Armand said.

His prosthetic hand lay flat against his knee while he spoke and his dark eyes went to the duke then his wife.

Just the way Leonor was observing Armand’s relationship with Duke Desmond, the headmaster was observing their relationship as well. Almost everyone in Montclair wanted to know if the duchess’ affection was only an act.

He had already witnessed Desmond guide her with a hand on her back rather than simply leading her with his arm. She also picked something off of the lapel of the light coat he wore and straightened it out before they sat down.

The two of them were far closer than Armand could have realized before. He was happy with the rumors she truly loved him despite the mystery surrounding him. Many thought she was there for personal gain and the title but he believed that not to be the case.

"It’s time to introduce her grace to Leo," Desmond confirmed the headmaster’s curiosity. "We both desire more familiarity."

"Certainly," Armand responded. "Shall I get him alone or will it be fine to introduce him with the others?"

"Let the others join him," Desmond said. "I don’t want to take him out of his comfortable environment."

Armand nodded and offered the duchess a small smile.

"Has his grace told you Leo’s a bit shy?" he asked. "Don’t take it badly if he doesn’t warm up to you right away."

"Don’t worry about me," Leonor responded, returning the light smile. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve to at least get him to notice me. Even if it’s the whole group of children who are interested, it will be fine if he views me as someone the people around him trust. I have managed my expectations before coming here."

"I knew you were smart, your grace," the headmaster said. "Then shall we go? I’m sure they’re playing in the basement before it’s time for their afternoon meal."

That in itself piqued Leonor’s interest. The last time she visited the orphanage, she wasn’t shown a basement.

Unlike before they went to the sitting room with the headmaster, all of the children were brought elsewhere and the main hallway was devoid of others except for the duke, duchess, headmaster, and guard who followed dutifully at a distance.

All the doors down that particular hallway were uniform and made you believe they all led to classrooms or dorms.

One at the end resembling all other doors in that hallway opened and revealed something else. The headmaster even had to unlock it before opening it for the couple.

"You may stay here," Desmond said to the guard.

"Yes, your grace," the guard said and stopped there.

Leonor felt a sense of eeriness as they went down the stairs with the duke in front of her and the headmaster behind. It seemed dark at first until they rounded a corner and made it to a large open room.

Despite being a basement, the light came from a slanted window inside of a window well that must have pointed to the yard where Leonor nearly fainted on the last visit to the orphanage. It made the room seem like it was on the main level. She heard before that daylight was important for children to establish proper sleep schedules.

However, her notice of the light in the room lasted shortly until her attention went to the children playing with various wooden toys. There was a chalkboard and tiny tables and chairs towards one end of the room but all the children were in the toy area.

Leonor observed the chalkboard seeing basic numbers and letters. The children all seemed to be five and younger so the introduction to basic concepts made sense.

Although the most interesting thing about the children were most of them having light blonde hair that matched what she remembered from Valerio and it caused her heart to race. As much as she missed Valerio’s hair, she would choose him alive and next to her over his prior appearance any day.

A maid watching over the children stepped forward. She was young and, in Leonor’s opinion, very beautiful. She had strawberry blonde hair and striking red eyes.

Despite many bearing similar appearance, Desmond stepped forward.

"Leo," the duke called.

A child who had been stacking and knocking over wooden blocks sprung to his feet. When he turned to Desmond, Leonor was struck by his green eyes so similar to the duke’s.

The child ran forward a few steps but stopped suddenly seeing the stranger by Desmond’s side. He sidestepped until he was hiding on the opposite side of the crouching duke.

Leonor placed a hand over her mouth. She couldn’t contain her shock.

"He looks just like you," she gasped.

How Desmond looked then and how he looked in the past. Her worlds of past and present collided.