My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 187: Durand Jewels

Chapter 187: Durand Jewels

The following day, Desmond insisted Leonor have a slow morning since he and his men were going to scope out Montville so they could make some more permanent decisions about the upcoming winter. He left her a carriage and a couple of guards if she and Beth wanted to wander into the town.

Regardless, they would reconvene after lunch and give the news they were there to deliver to Gerard. Leonor wanted to see how he would take the news after all.

After a light breakfast of sweetened porridge and tea, Leonor slowly got ready with the help of Beth and emerged a new woman with a corseted waist and a beautiful canary golden color. It was the first time she had worn that dress and it felt suitable for what they would get up to that day.

Not only was it fashionable but it was also incredibly warm. The high neck and thick sleeves made the breeze that whipped through the mountains feel less intense.

Despite already feeling like she lived on top of a mountain in Montclair, Leonor finally truly knew the meaning of living on a mountain. It was harsh and took much determination. The Durands must have been a force to be reckoned with.

The buildings there fit together like puzzle pieces so that space wouldn’t be wasted around the twists and rocks of the natural mountain’s path. Many of the roads weren’t straight and it reminded Leonor of Magia. There was a focus on fitting everyone in a certain amount of space, not planning much more than that until roads had to be constructed inside.

Even the town center wasn’t particularly well-defined considering the chaos it was bordered by.

Yet it didn’t lose its appeal. There were secrets around every corner and the duchess wanted to explore.

With guards following, Leonor and Beth linked arms so they wouldn’t lose each other in the crowd.

They found the marketplace to be like many others in Montclair. Considering it bordered another country through mountain passes, it was the perfect place for foreigners to come and show off the goods of their homes.

Since the pass that went off the other end of the mountain was much more gradual, they could easily go from the mountains to the spot in Montclair that bordered the capital. It was a gateway to Castille.

That was also why Desmond needed to protect it so carefully.

Even if Leonor never expressed the desire to buy fancy things, she couldn’t help gravitating towards a jewelry shop that the Durands directly supplied.

Considering the quality of their gems was famous all the way to Burien, she wanted to have a look for herself.

With a promise that she would get something for Beth, the two walked through the door while the guards remained outside. It would give the women an opportunity to look through without feeling pressured by men looming over them.

As they walked into the shop, a shopkeeper standing behind a counter rushed forward.

"I had hoped you would find my shop, your grace," he said, which Leonor found amusing considering his was the largest and most obvious. "Please take a seat while I bring in what we have to offer."

The two women sat on a comfortable couch where they waited for the shopkeeper to bring out jewelry.

To their surprise, he didn’t hesitate as he came out with multiple boxes and displays at a time. Each one he opened and placed on the table in front of them.

A few of the necklaces were so impressive, he put them on stands to catch the natural light of the room and enchant the women sitting on the couch.

Green was Leonor’s favorite color and her eyes gravitated towards a necklace with gold filigree and emeralds on the point of each bit of it. There was a particularly large one meant to sit on the wearer’s neck. She wondered if it would be too burdensome to wear. Never before had she been responsible for jewels so fine.

On the other hand, Beth’s tastes were a bit more simple. She couldn’t help asking if she could have a closer look at a bracelet sitting against a red velvet background. The metal itself was silver and there were small purple gems dotting it all the way around.

Seeing that her maid was so taken with it, Leonor had a thought.

"You should have that as my gift to you," Leonor said. "Although you should pretend it’s from Desmond and not me because I don’t believe the other maids would appreciate the favoritism and I don’t want to create a divisive environment."

"Your grace, I couldn’t–"

Beth tried to argue.

"It isn’t every day you get to go around Montclair," Leonor persisted. "You ought to have a bit of fun as well."

However, Leonor had turned to the shopkeeper and they shared a nod, knowing that she would be walking out of there with the new bracelet.

He pulled back the velvet box so he would remember.

Leonor tried to hold herself back as well, but she couldn’t help lifting the entire display with the emerald necklace she had been persuaded by. She never asked for anything but the gems shone so much she at least wanted to look at the piece for a little while longer.

As if she was being dragged in by temptation, Leonor had to quickly break eye contact and put the necklace back down after a closer look.

She had always made sure to keep a low profile and not give the impression that she was someone who had exuberant tastes and spending habits. Considering there was a pair of eyes she didn’t know if she could trust watching her every move and reaction, she knew she should hold back.

"I will admit that everything in this shop is beyond one’s wildest dreams," she said. "I believe we should go on to the next before my husband returns from scouting the township."

Even more surprising was when the flamboyant man with a ponytail and straight posture threw back his head and lightly laughed.

"Your grace, Master Gerard and his grace have already come through this area," he explained. "I’m simply showing you the collection the duke has chosen for his wife. Rumors of his affection seem to be true."

Leonor’s mouth hung open and she felt like a fish out of water for a moment.

Even the serious conversation they had couldn’t make him stop loving her so unashamedly. Since she found out who he was, he was getting better at facing obstacles head on.