My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 167: Desmond’s Hard Work

Chapter 167: Desmond’s Hard Work

Even with fresh questions about what she observed in the orphanage brewing in her head, Leonor was momentarily distracted by Desmond’s suggestion they would stay in town for the rest of the day.

Since he told her she would have to see, Leonor decided to remain silent. However, it didn’t mean she would sit silently by herself.

With the curtains of the carriage window open and the two riders inside visible for the world to see, Leonor lifted her skirts and moved to Desmond’s seat. When he saw what she was doing, he caught her so she wouldn’t fall in case they met a bump in the road.

The carriage was big enough for at least six people but she cuddled up to the duke by placing the side of her head against his shoulder. She found his large hand and held it as they rode.

While she never had trouble being affectionate towards him when behind closed doors, doing it where people could see them meant a lot to Desmond. She subtly told the world that she didn’t care what they thought. It went so much beyond appearances. She made it look like she genuinely needed him while she used him as something to lean against.

Even though her affection came naturally, it would help others see that the duchess found the duke reliable and trustworthy.

As they rode along, Desmond gently kissed the top of Leonor’s head. Their silent acknowledgment of each other was enough to fill the space devoid of conversation.

The side close to the duke’s estate was the older side of Piedmont. It was where the city began and grew wider until it was surrounded by a wall to protect the inhabitants from monsters. However, the wall was extended with the intent of the town expanding. Even though it was well over 100 years old, the original creator was hopeful that Piedmont would continue to grow since it was safe.

That became true with Duke Desmond de Montclair’s investment into growing his duchy.

As someone with a disfigurement that would make it difficult for a commoner to be hired or hold down a job in a society that worshipped beauty Desmond was insistent on finding homes and places of employment for those who suffered from the war.

He benefitted from the success of battle while the average person wouldn’t live the same comfortable life as he does. He was determined to change that. Even if it went against customs, he was firm in this decision.

As he welcomed people with disfigurements or disabilities that may hinder their abilities to work, townships around Montclair grew, but Piedmont grew the most. Many war heroes wanted to be closer to the duke and benefit him directly with their hard work considering he was benefitting them by being their voice.

When the noble lady said Piedmont was getting uglier because of who the duke was, she was truthful. There were far more people around with missing limbs, horrible scars, and poor emotional states because of what they experienced and witnessed on the front lines of battle.

Desmond was firm in his belief and, if people didn’t like it, he thought they ought to move elsewhere. Montclair was thriving because of laws protecting workers.

In the new developments within Piedmont, a few streets lined with markets, new restaurants, and tea houses cropped up. Merchants were flocking to the developing city while people who didn’t own businesses before were taking advantage of people’s desire to buy.

The carriage pulled up to one of these newer streets with freshly opened shops. It stopped in front of a restaurant that boasted imported wine and fresh cuts of meat. After all, just outside of Piedmont’s walls, the fertile valley was littered with large farms and fields.

"We’re here?" Leonor asked.

"We’re here," Desmond confirmed.

Desmond exited the carriage first and held out his hand to his wife who eagerly took it and stepped down.

Leonor’s eyes rose and she was finally able to observe newer buildings with fresher paint. Unlike the older buildings made with mostly stone, things were more vibrant on this side of town. Wood made it so they could erect buildings faster and be decorated more beautifully.

As she walked with Desmond, she didn’t know what to expect until a man waiting at the front of the building perked up.

"Your graces," he said with a bow. As he stood up, he clasped his hands over his heart. "I can’t thank you enough for giving this place a try. The locals have taken well to it but to have the support of our leaders means the world to me. Please let me be the one who shows you to the table we’ve set up for you. My name is Robert Calvan, the owner. "

"It’s our pleasure," Desmond was the first to respond.

"I’m looking forward to eating here," Leonor said. "I’ve arrived hungry."

"Perfect," the man said. "Please, right this way."

When he turned on his heel to guide the two into his restaurant, Leonor observed a prosthetic leg that was only visible once he started moving. She knew that he was one of the many who benefitted from Desmond’s fight for nondiscriminatory worker laws.

If he could feed them well, she didn’t care what he looked like. Talents weren’t skin deep. After all, the man who held her heart so tightly was beautiful because of his heart and mind. However, she didn’t see his scars as unappealing. She didn’t think she would even if she wasn’t in love with him.

People’s biases didn’t make sense to her.

Leonor was in her head again, but it didn’t last for long when they were taken up stairs and then to the back of the building where a table and chairs were set up on a balcony. It was only a small balcony so they were half outside and half inside.

A large willow tree gently swayed in the breeze and beyond its trunk was the large wall surrounding the city. Despite the view being only a tree and wall with a well taken care of natural gardens below, it was a serene environment.

Desmond pulled out Leonor’s seat for her and she settled in with a small, pleased smile on her face.

"I will bring out samples of the drinks we offer and then you can decide which one suits your taste," the man said.

"I look forward to it," Leonor was the first to speak that time.

As soon as the man was away and fetching their drinks, Leonor reached across the table and clasped Desmond’s hand clad in a white glove.

"This was unexpected," she admitted. "Thank you for bringing me here."

"It’s all for me," Desmond joked, reminding her of his younger self. "I’m finding new ways to show off this beautiful woman I’ve fooled into loving me."

Leonor’s smile widened.

"Unfortunately, I’ve been fooled for years," she said. "I wonder what sort of mage you know to manipulate me like this. It was enough for me to never set my sights on any other man."

The table was small, he could lift her hand and kiss her fingers.

"A shame..." he said. "For them."

There was an "ahem" towards the doorway of the private room they ate in. The man’s face seemed a bit red as he returned with a tray of drinks.

"It seems the rumors of an affectionate ducal couple weren’t exaggerated," Robert said. "I am pleased to be privy to this knowledge. It will stay with me, your graces."