My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 220: Traveling to the Capital

Chapter 220: Traveling to the Capital

The path from Montclair to Coeurvalle was downhill and much easier than if they were going in the other direction.

While the trip there would take three to four days depending on the temperamental weather of late autumn, the trip back would be longer because they would be going uphill most of the time.

Even though it was a change of plans, Leonor was grateful for the ease of the path ahead.

Desmond would start each day of travel scouting with the other soldiers, but whenever he would join Leonor in the carriage, he sat on the same side as her and gently held her hand in the middle of the seat. He was relieved to feel her hand was warm and not cold.

Lower elevations meant higher temperatures. The closer they got to the capital, most of the trees only just began turning gold or red. Montclair was about a month ahead in terms of weather.

For the first part of their travel, they went over a smaller eastern mountain pass than what they went through in the northwest. It didn’t require the duke and duchess to go on horseback and Leonor felt spoiled to be able to stay in the comfortable carriage.

Their path soon sloped lower to foothills then flatlands and they knew they were getting closer to the capital as they left the evergreen forests almost entirely.

Trees became sparse for a while as they went through farmlands where golden fields reigned the surroundings outside of the capital. The farmers of this area boasted wealth and prosperity because their fields fed the capital which was the most populated area in Castille.

Each night of travel, Desmond made sure Leonor was warm by joining her in the carriage and lending his body heat. However, on their final night of having to sleep like that, Desmond found himself too hot and had to go without blankets or he wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably. That’s how he knew they were getting close to the capital.

Always a meticulous planner with his wife in consideration, the duke made it so that they would have one night in an inn before getting through Coeurvalle and seeing King Stephano. He knew that Leonor would want to get into nicer clothing and take a bath before she had to be enveloped in a world even more cutthroat than noble society in further reaches of the kingdom.

Even though Desmond thought Leonor looked dignified in everything she wore, he understood her need to keep up appearances and respected her. Even if her pristinely groomed appearance wasn’t what he preferred compared to as wild and free as she was in riding or traveling clothing, he knew the result would be beautiful. For her to decorate herself with things he bought for her, there wasn’t a greater feeling. He was no longer the stablehand who couldn’t afford a thing.

He hoped that if any man looked in her direction they would know that everything she wore was something he had given her. Not many could compare to the wealth of a duke except for the king.

Luckily, the king was caught up in his own life and uninterested in Leonor as a love interest. Only then would Desmond have something to worry about.

Leonor was cuddled up against Desmond’s lap and, as they slowed for a more populated area, he gently ran his hand over Leonor’s hair and down her back.

He glanced at the windows and, seeing them covered, he became a little more daring knowing it would wake her up.

His hand slid from her lower back to her waist, then found one of her soft mounds clad in pale material and he gently squeezed.

Sure enough, Leonor was up in a hurry with an incredulous smile on her face as she stared at her husband.

"You are so shameless," she uttered and shook her head.

Her face was red. Even in light sleep, she didn’t want to admit that she enjoyed the sensation for a moment before she realized where she was.

"I wanted you to wake up before we arrived so you can get yourself together," he admitted. "We have a short time before we’ll reach the inn."

She settled at his side but reached for a curtain and pushed it aside. The sun hadn’t even fully set yet.

"Earlier than usual," she said.

Normally when they arrived at their camps, the sun was almost gone and they were in a rush to set up camp so the men could get as much rest in as possible.

"The trip tomorrow will be short considering we’re on the outskirts of Couervalle," Desmond explained. "I knew you would want to have a proper bath before you have to see His Majesty and likely the mage since I’ve heard the two of them are joined at the hip."

Leonor smiled languidly at his thoughtfulness as she hugged his arm. She wasn’t entirely awake yet despite the shock that woke her up.

"Thank you for thinking of me," she muttered. "You are a good husband who pays attention. I feel many wives aren’t offered the same consideration."

"They should be," Desmond responded. "Fortunately, my consideration only goes to you and my men, except you’re the highest priority."

He swept his free hand over Leonor’s hair and fixed a few strands that had come loose from the braid Beth had tied her hair into when they began that morning.

Leonor’s hair was a bit more unruly than normal considering her waves were dry and hadn’t been oiled in a few days. Once she got her dark strands in order, she would feel better about wearing her hair in a more loose style.

Desmond thought she looked beautiful no matter what.

Since she was paying attention to him and the curtain had been put back over the window, the duke couldn’t hold back from leaning into his wife and pressing his lips against hers. He kissed her slowly a couple of times before he could pull away.

"I could lose all my men, but as long as I have you, I don’t care what happens," he whispered.

Leonor’s face felt hot. His sudden confessions affected her heart the most. They seemed the most authentic as they fell from his lips without much thought.

Soon there was a knock on their carriage door after the carriage had stopped and the pair were helped out.

Leonor’s hand went to Desmond’s arm and they followed the innkeeper into the fine establishment.

The inn, a grand yet rustic establishment, was at the heart of a populated area just within the wall that surrounded Coeurvalle. Built of sturdy timber and stone, its exterior featured ivy-clad walls and tall, arched windows that glowed warmly with candlelight.

Leonor was certain the place would look even more beautiful once the sun set more. Her head couldn’t stop turning as she took in the place.

The innkeeper treated them with respect and bowed once they were out of the cold, making their comfort his highest priority.

The inn’s interior exuded a sense of old-world charm and subtle elegance. Polished wooden beams lined the ceiling, and a grand hearth crackled with a welcoming fire. Embroidered tapestries depicting scenes of hunts and feasts adorned the walls they walked through as they were taken deeper into the inn and towards the room they would be able to rest in.

The couple noticed the smell of freshly cooked food and Leonor leaned into Desmond.

"I didn’t realize how hungry I was until we arrived here," she admitted.

"They likely have a meal waiting for us," Desmond admitted. "Soldiers arrived before us to tell the inn of our impending arrival."

Again with his consideration, Leonor smiled and simply walked forward.

The duke and duchess were escorted up a grand staircase, its banister intricately carved with heraldic motifs. Each step creaked softly and Leonor was reminded that everything in the capital was pristine yet aged. It boasted the most history in all of Castille considering it was where the entire kingdom was founded.

The chamber they finally reached was a spacious suite adorned with fine furnishings. The walls were lined with dark oak paneling, and the ceiling was painted with frescoes of pastoral scenes. A large, canopied bed draped in rich, burgundy velvet dominated the room, its linens crisp and freshly laundered. A pair of armchairs sat before a smaller, private fireplace, where a fire had been lit to warm the room against the autumn evening chill.

Leonor was relieved to see a tray of fruits, cheeses, and a carafe of mulled wine had been prepared.

"A servant will return with a more proper dinner for your graces, but please have this for now," the innkeeper said.

He quickly left and they easily settled into their brief respite from travel. Seeing the king would likely add to their list of complications. That was a problem for their future selves to worry about.

It truly was time to settle in for the evening.