My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 196: As Expected at the Surface

Chapter 196: As Expected at the Surface

There was a period in history when Montclair was part of a fallen kingdom that extended north and west. It went down to the coast and into the country beyond the mountains that bordered the ducal family’s estate.

However, territorial disputes led to Castille assuming control of Montclair. As expected of an old kingdom with bloodthirsty rulers, their borders changed significantly through time.

It surprised many when the marquess’ family was never stripped of titles. However, their willingness to bring their wine business to Castille and benefit the greater population healed their reputation and doubts about their loyalty to a new monarch were pushed into the history books.

That was why the titles of marquess and marchioness weren’t stripped from the Martin family despite no longer being against a foreign border. They were the gateway into the capital and it felt like enough reason to keep the same title considering its history.

Upon arriving through large metal gates that put them down a brick path with a fountain in the middle, they made it to one of the most beautiful houses Leonor had ever seen in her life. Desmond explained to her that it was called Martin Estate fittingly enough.

As they stepped out of the carriage, a couple in their early 40’s came down the marble steps of the house and they presented themselves to the duke and duchess.

The marquess had dark brown hair with specks of grey throughout it. The marchioness, on the other hand, had blonde hair that perfectly curled at her shoulders.

"Your graces," Marquess Herbert spoke in a proper voice the moment he made it to the bottom step. "How honored we should be for you to stay with us for a few days. This is my wife Marchioness Letizia."

"It’s wonderful to finally meet you, my lady," Desmond greeted Letizia by kissing her hand and she seemed charmed.

To Leonor’s surprise, the woman didn’t seem disgusted. Either she was a good actress or had just gained a few points in Leonor’s mind to the positive.

However, as expected of the wife of a merchant, Letizia wore a perfectly styled orange gown suitable for the season. Even the cold weather couldn’t force her to put away the large bosom she boasted as she curtsied for her guests. Despite being generally thicker than Leonor, her waist and abdomen were nearly as small.

Leonor had observed many women put themselves through this willingly. It was another reason Leonor doubted her desire to be a noblewoman since she was unwilling to do that to herself.

Corsets weren’t meant to be uncomfortable but, to suit a silhouette, many women wore them that way on purpose despite how much it may inhibit movement or breathing.

Based on the numerous staff they could see buzzing through the house immediately walking in, it was clear the couple didn’t do much for themselves in the first place.

After quick greetings, they were all sent to a sitting room overlooking the pristinely manicured lands that sloped down to vineyards. Tea was offered but the Marquess decided on wine, joking that it was never too early to indulge.

When Desmond was asked if he wanted to try the latest barrel, he felt he couldn’t say no.

"The plan for today is to tour the estate since his grace always seemed to find a way out of it the previous year of winterization," Herbert spoke easily and with an arrogant smirk on his face. He was someone who didn’t get uncomfortable and felt proud to associate himself with the duke.

"I felt it wrong to experience such a beautiful place without my wife around to enjoy it," Desmond said, unable to give him the truth about their circumstances a year before.

Leonor noticed even Desmond’s rough voice, which caught many people off guard in the past, didn’t phase the couple. They were as lighthearted as ever.

The duchess couldn’t tell if anything was authentic.

"Isn’t he such a romantic?" Letizia admired, gently patting her husband’s hand where it lay on the armchair he sat in. "After hearing the tale of our duke going across the kingdom for the hand of a woman, I knew that there must be something magical between the two of you."

"Ah..." Leonor wasn’t sure what she should say. She could feel her face start turning red but she wasn’t going to drop her proper facade to cover herself even if she felt like it.

"See!?" the marchioness cried, completely amused. "I can always tell how it is with young couples. How I miss being in that phase of our marriage, don’t you, Herb?"

A shortened name as if she was trying to force familiarity between her and her husband, Leonor noticed. It almost felt excessive considering it was standard for couples to use each other’s titles in public. Even if she was being kind, something felt somewhat off.

Despite her suspicions, Leonor was embarrassed but she smiled politely.

"Ah, yes yes," Herbert said, sipping wine and not seeming to be entirely attached to his wife’s conversation.

Desmond was unwilling for the environment to get tense. He immediately changed the topic of the conversation.

"I have seen from previous records that you already have winterization down to a schedule in this region, my lord," Desmond complimented. "It’s starting to feel as if the trip to Oues was more for pleasure than business."

The marquess’s arrogant smirk became a laugh that caused him to toss his head backward at the tone of Desmond’s words.

"Your grace, it’s much too difficult to pull you from that estate in the west," he defended himself. "The only way to get you to enjoy exuberant amounts of Martin wine is to say this trip is for business rather than pleasure. Although, if it makes you feel better, we’ll have plenty of time to go through Oues and the surrounding farmland to be sure that there is enough for next planting season and the borders are secure between us and the capital."

At this, Letizia sat up a bit straighter.

"Save it for tomorrow, Herb," she insisted. "That way, her grace and I can have a day to ourselves while you get up to something beautiful ladies shouldn’t dirty their hands with."

Leonor’s smile became one of disbelief, but she was certain it looked the same from the outside. Desmond met her eyes and she couldn’t help it.

"Yes, I would love to get to know you more, my lady," Leonor expressed. "I have to be honest with you. Not being from Montclair, I’m looking to form new friendships with other noble ladies. If our husbands are so well-connected, I believe we ought to be as well."

Letizia placed her tea down practically silently, showing her years of etiquette training despite having been born from a practically destitute noble family with a flimsy title. She leaned towards Leonor and clasped the younger woman’s hand.

"I’m the perfect person for this," she bragged. "After all, I’m closest to the capital. I get to hear the most exciting things as they come from Couervalle."

"I look forward to it, my lady," Leonor said, gently squeezing the older woman’s hand.

She had no idea just how well she would get to know Letizia on their final evening in Oues.