My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 176: Everything Together

Chapter 176: Everything Together

Leonor wondered for such a long if they would ever be close enough for her to go on the winterization excursion around the duchy. Yet there they were, hours from leaving together and the duchess was too excited to sleep.

They already went to bed late after spending the evening in an intimate embrace so she didn’t understand her restlessness.

The duchess rolled yet again and Desmond finally sat up, having been woken up earlier when he felt Leonor get up from the bed and check out of the window to see if the sun had risen and, if it had, how high it was.

In the darkness of the room, he scooted closer to his restless wife underneath the blankets and wrapped an arm around her as well as one of his legs over hers so she was forced to lie still.

"Am I going to have to tie you up to get you to sleep for longer?" he asked and gently bit the bare shoulder that was suddenly in perfect reach of his mouth.

"Sorry," Leonor muttered. "I’m so excited and nervous. I’ve already been invited to tea parties and other excursions since word of my attendance on this journey has spread through Montclair."

Desmond smiled. Her genuine response was endearing.

She was only honest with him. He knew that the second she was in front of the nobles, she would become poised and polite. He preferred her in her rawest form: bare in both emotion and body.

"You won’t perform at your best if you don’t rest," he reminded her.

"I have a whole day before we’re set to arrive north," she argued. "I will rest before then. After all, I have the most comfortable pillow riding along with me."

Even in the darkness of twilight, he knew she was grinning.

A meeting was held a couple of days prior regarding the travel plans and, to Leonor’s surprise, she was summoned by one of Desmond’s men to sit in on the meeting. She joined her husband where he sat at his desk, occupying a chair brought to her when she entered the room.

The men in attendance stared at the duchess expectantly and she eventually broke their gaze, leaning towards Desmond for support. She hadn’t a clue why she was there in the first place.

However, she would soon find that they needed her there to make the finishing touches to travel arrangements and help her decide which maid she would like to bring. Naturally, she chose Beth considering she was the youngest and closest to her. It also wasn’t the first time she had brought her along on an excursion.

They also asked whether or not the duke would be riding in the wagon with Leonor.

When he caught her sapphire eyes boring into him hopefully, he immediately relented and every man in the room knew right away the duchess had the duke in the palm of her hand. Those who were married or courting someone understood while those who felt painfully single at that moment were envious.

Word spread far and wide that the two were an affectionate couple yet they didn’t need to even lay a finger on one another for the rumors to be confirmed. Their mere glances were so full of feeling they could practically be considered a public display of affection.

"I will bring my horse in case of emergency," Desmond spoke to the room, though everyone sat close so he didn’t have to project or need someone else to do it for him. "Otherwise I will remain by the duchess’ side considering this is only her first tour of the duchy. Nothing will befall her if I am next to her."

Leonor wanted to jump onto Desmond and embrace him but she managed to hold back.

Not only were they touring the duchy, but unlike when the duke went on horseback and finished work as quickly as possible, going through would take a week longer because people were eager to meet Leonor.

She felt honored that all the trouble being done was for her sake. Despite being a noble her entire life, she never received such special treatment. Even in Magia, she wasn’t allowed to use her status to elevate herself which she preferred.

With the preparations complete, trunks filled with clothing for the duke and duchess to impress those they visited, and many supplies so they would never face difficulty, it was time to leave Piedmont and explore wider Montclair.

They started off the journey with Desmond riding his horse because he scouted ahead of the party that morning. It wasn’t until they reached the other end of the town and walked through the gates that Desmond finally got into the carriage with his wife.

Leonor greeted him with a wide smile and he kissed her hand. However, she remained appropriately on the bench across from Desmond. There were too many close calls the last time they rode in a carriage together and she couldn’t keep her hands off of him.

Although the state of dress likely accelerated their feelings towards one another.

Immediately, they were sent into wide plains and Leonor finally witnessed the farmlands that dotted the valley firsthand. They stayed that way for a while and the road was smooth.

Eventually, they made it to a treeline and gradually made their way out of civilization and into the hills leading to mountains. The entire party was hidden behind trees as they climbed higher and higher. Northern Montclair was more mountainous than the rest and travel would be slow because of it.

However, the narrow road and trees covering them made Desmond catch Leonor’s gaze as he bumped his foot into hers.

"We’ve left civilization for quite some time," Desmond said.

"Ah, yes," Leonor realized. "I suppose you did say we would be camping tonight. That’s why I chose to wear a more comfortable dress."

Since Leonor didn’t understand what Desmond was trying to communicate, he went in a bold direction and held out a hand after removing his gloves.

In return, Leonor gave a confused expression though she still put her hand in his.

The duke pulled his wife towards him and caught her at her waist when she was close enough.

"I’m too embarrassed to admit that I want to sit next to you," he said under his breath when she looked at him, her hair cascading along the sides of his face and keeping their secrets from others for a moment.

Leonor lifted her head and looked around. She saw that there wasn’t room for anyone to ride a horse next to their carriage. Before she could take up her spot next to the duke, Leonor smiled down at Desmond and placed her hands on the sides of his face. Her lips descended to his for a moment.

"I suppose it’s a good thing we both want the same thing," she said.

He helped her to his side and he wrapped an arm around her allowing her to lean into him and use him as a pillow just as she said she would that morning.

It was an ideal ride.

While she thought she might get a bit of reading done, she was entirely consumed by Desmond and the slow swaying of the carriage.

"I feel I may fall asleep," she admitted.

Desmond expected as much and he kissed the top of her head.

"Then sleep," he said. "I will tell you when we can take a break."

His hand traced small circles on her back until he was certain she was sleeping and he felt the weight of her head against his chest. He made sure to sit in a way that ensured she wouldn’t fall over.

While he was used to situations in which he wasn’t able to sleep, he knew Leonor wasn’t like that, nor did he want her to be.

Desmond felt fine simply sitting there and trusting his men to get them to the right spot in one piece. They were natives to the land and they knew it even better than he did. While he didn’t need their help to navigate, they knew the finer details that he learned through word of mouth rather than the valuable experience they had.

As he looked down at the fine clothing he wore and the greyish-purple dress Leonor donned that day, he realized this was the life he had always dreamed of. At times, he still felt unsettled by his appearance, but if he looked away from the mirror or his hands long enough, Leonor would soon appear with an affectionate gaze and no qualms about touching him or kissing him.

She was his savior. He needed her by his side because it was good for his head and his heart.

At these thoughts, he felt the urge to squeeze her tightly and let out an ounce of the possessive pressure that constantly lived within him.

Leonor didn’t have anywhere to go, but if she started working outside the estate, he feared he would become a nightmare for her. He didn’t want her far from him now that he had her close.

He wondered what would be the solution to this issue. This journey with her at his side certainly wouldn’t make him more stable as he got used to her being close to him.

For hours, they traveled comfortably, Leonor waking up a few times but Desmond assuring her that he would let her know when they were there.

Eventually, she settled down and used his lap as a pillow instead.

A couple of hours later, the carriage slowed. One of his men came to his side and knocked on the window.

Desmond opened it.

"Your grace, the mountain will get rockier from here forward," he explained in a whisper to not disturb Leonor. "Risk of tipping is much higher."

Desmond looked down at his sleeping wife.

"She and I will ride together until we get to the summit," he whispered in response "The maids in the other carriage can choose where they would like to ride as well. Let’s first take a break, give out lunch rations, and ensure the horses are hydrated."

When the soldier was gone, Desmond looked down at Leonor and brushed a finger over her head and hair.

"It’s time to wake up, my dear," he said.