My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 188: Caught Off Guard

Chapter 188: Caught Off Guard

"Duchess," Beth uttered quietly, never having seen Leonor so uncomposed.

Even when they went to the tea house together, and she was faced with unnecessary prejudice against her husband, she remained clear-headed and firm.

To be faced with an expression of love and completely fall apart was something the maid hadn’t anticipated. She was envious of ever being able to feel something as sweet as the love the duke had for his young wife.

Leonor was entirely speechless for a few moments. Normally, she was able to compose herself quickly, but Desmond being so in tune with her and knowing what she might want before she could want it caught her by surprise.

It was a silent way of telling her he wasn’t upset with the realizations they had last night. As he expressed before, he had no choice but to make decisions about their heir without her there. The future decisions would be made with her at his side.

The duchess managed to rein herself in and her mouth shut, putting a polite, although slightly embarrassed smile on her face. The only way she could handle being so caught off guard was to get even with Desmond.

She would have to seek ways to surprise him in front of others just as he did for her.

"He’s so shameless," she managed to say. "I’m grateful, nonetheless. This collection is so unbelievably beautiful."

"Jewels given with love shine brighter," the shopkeeper said.

Leonor laughed lightly, knowing it was likely a line he said to men when they were buying jewels for women they were courting.

On her neck was a thin gold chain with a cushion-cut ruby. It seemed like jewelry for a pauper in comparison to what was set out in front of her.

"Shall I wear one of the smaller pieces out?" Leonor asked. "I ought to show him that I appreciate his efforts."

Since Leonor’s hair was back and her neckline was high, they decided to remove her ruby necklace and wear large, teardrop earrings. They were the pair that matched the necklace she was taken by and the emeralds and gold contrasted her hair beautifully.

The guards helped Leonor and Beth take the things in the carriage and lock them in so they would be safe.

After thanking the owner for his hospitality and the experience, they were off to the next place. They would eat a quick meal at the inn before occupying one of the sitting areas and speaking with Gerard about the future of his township.

Nearing the end of Leonor’s meal, Desmond and the entourage of men both from Montville and Desmon’ds usual soldiers walked into the front entrance of the inn.

Since the dining hall wasn’t far off, the scent of autumn was crisp and easily smelled over the scent of baked bread and rich stew. Leonor was told something else could be made for her, but something warm after being out in the breezy autumn morning sounded perfect. She liked the rolls dipped into the stew the most.

The duke walked by the table Leonor sat at, expecting to greet her quickly and take her with him, but she stood up in his path, smiling up at him, though there was a look of challenging him in her eyes.

"Your grace," she greeted him properly first. "Do you notice anything?"

Pointedly, she brushed her hair over her shoulder, revealing the earrings.

The crisp, cold scent became stronger as Desmond smiled down at Leonor and removed his hood. He reached for one of Leonor’s hands and brought it to his lips.

"I knew you would wander there eventually," he responded quietly. ’Stopping there so early in the morning made me feel inspired and perhaps too energetic so early in the morning. Who would have thought I would one day afford something of the sort for my wife?"

She thought she might try to kiss him or hold onto him to catch him off-guard in front of so many others, but his words made her face turn red, and she turned away shyly, bringing a hand to her lips to hide the mouth threatening to smile.

Whenever he spoke of being energetic, he certainly meant something else. Even though they spoke in a way others didn’t know the secondary meanings it still made her nervous.

"Thank you, your grace," she uttered. However, she found it necessary to change the conversation as quickly as possible. She couldn’t handle the eyes that were already on them and their somewhat affectionate conversation. "Shall we go to the meeting room then?"

Leonor glanced at Beth, who needed no further hints, and the maid joined Leonor in her path forward with her husband.

For that particular conversation, the only people who needed to be there were the duke and duchess. The others were permitted to go elsewhere in the inn. Only two guards were left outside of the doors, which closed and granted the three privacy.

When there was tea on the table between them, Desmond was the first to get into a more serious conversation.

"While we’ve discussed the future of Montville at length, I believe there’s something we haven’t yet covered," Desmond admitted. "With us, the duchess and I have brought news directly from His Majesty. Things will change from this point forward."

Leonor didn’t know why Desmond was prefacing it so strangely as Gerard became more serious and contemplative. She imagined he was thinking King Stephano might be trying to take power from his hands. However, it was much the opposite.

"Since the first time I visited Montville and witnessed just how much you have done for a place such as this, I’ve been trying to push your name further and give you due recognition," Desmond explained. "After such a long time of pushing, I finally concluded with the king. If you so choose to walk this path of loyalty to the King and representation for Montclair, I would like to bestow upon you the title of baron."

\Gerard wasn’t shocked, but he angled his head downwards and squeezed his eyes shut as a smile spread across his face. He always wanted to provide his late wife with such a title. She would have to accept being appointed as a baroness posthumously.