Chapter 550
---- "Get out and wait for me in Lavinias study." "But I havent finished bathing her." "T said get out, and dont make me repeat myself!" I snapped, pointing at the door.
Who do you think you are to yell at my Nana like that?!" My daughters sudden scream froze me in place.
My eyes met hersthose deep brown eyesstaring at me with...
Hate.
---- She practically ran downstairs, despite her age.
The Duke seemed like a man who didnt hesitate.
This was his domain, a place where he could kill anyone without blinking.
A sudden wave of fear clenched my heart.
It was best to stay far away from that rude, arrogant brute.
If he hated Rossella, then that would be perfect.
ook "My lady..." Freyas voice snapped me out of my trance.
Iwas standing in front of that door.
I had been staring at the wood for nearly a minute.
"I know, Freya.
I know..." With a trembling hand, I slowly turned the knob and entered my daughters room.
The first space was an antechamber, set up as a small study, with a bookshelf behind a desk fitted to her size, and comfortable armchairs arranged before it.
I walked as if my heart were galloping with a thousand horses inside me.
Sweating, my mind playing cruel tricks on me.
Memories.
I had to calm down.
But when I stepped into the adjacent bedroom, I didnt find her there either.
It was her room, but it wasnt decorated like that of a ten-year-old girl.
It was dry, seriousmore like a room for an adult.
Muffled voices came from a side door, along with the sound of running water.
---- I didnt know why, but I approached quietly.
She was bathing...
or someone was bathing her.
Yes, someone was bathing her.
"_., But...
but I feel weird, Nana." I heard an innocent voice speaking.
Ipressed closer to the door, straining to hear.
"Silly girl, boys are always more curious.
You are very beautiful, Lavinia, but there are always things a girl must do to make them even more interested in her..." It was the voice of a woman.
I frowned, listening closely.
"So...
so if I let him do that, Theodore will be more my friend?" "Of course.
With how lovely you are, he1I be under your skirt in no time.
Hes a fine young man, very responsible, and he will take good care of you." What does it mean to have him under my skirt, Nana? Why would Theodore want to go there?" "Its when a woman" BAM! Ishoved the door open, enraged.
I hadnt heard the whole conversation, but it was already far too inappropriate for an innocent child.
The blonde woman beside the porcelain tub turned to me, startled, a sponge still in her hand.
Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of me, but then something shifted in her gaze, and she calmed.
"Duchess, I didnt know you would be arriving, or I would have had Lady Lavinia ready" ---- No one spoke.
The servants remained silent, their heads bowed, tense, nervous.
I forced myself to look back at him.
And when our gazes locked, I felt a chill run down my spine.
His icy blue eyes were sharp, piercing void of warmth, void of mercy.
Masculine.
Fierce.
Cruel.
But his contempt drowned out any hint of beauty in his savage features.
Iwas standing before the Duke of Everhart.
Of that, I was certain.
He hated me.
Or rather, he hated Rossella...
And now, I was her.
I tried to open my mouth...
After months without seeing his wifeand even more so after she had supposedly left to "recover from an illness'""I assumed he would at least greet her, right? "Your Grace" "Get that thief out of my house and replace the carpet!" he commanded the servants, cutting me off and completely ignoring me.
Without another word, he strode briskly back into his study and slammed the door shut, rudely.
I stood there like an idiot, perplexed and a little humiliated.
Things were worse than I had imagined.
What had my father used to blackmail the Duke into accepting a wife he didnt want and recognizing a child that wasnt his? Such an important detail, and Rossella hadnt even known it.
"Mrs.
Prescott, go and carry out the Dukes orders.
I will go to my quarters alone," I dismissed the housekeeper.