Married To The Riveted Duke

"Congratulations, Becky! You're officially a duchess."

"Formality!" The Duke reminded sternly, without making eye contact with his wife.

"Oh, sorry! I almost forgot, Duchess Rebecca!" Crystal, her best friend, said cheerily and curtsied.

Rebecca smiled faintly and looked at her husband. She saw that his facial expression wasn't welcoming-cold and nonchalant-and heaved sadly. She had her eyes on her parents, whom seemed pleased with the marriage.

When the Duke had sought for her hand in marriage, she simply obliged without hesitation. She had already got pregnant out of wedlock and couldn't bear to bring more shame to her family's reputation. Her belly was big as she was in the first month in her third trimester.

"Your grace!" His horseman said with a bow,

"We have to return home before night falls. It would be unsafe for the Duchess to travel at night especially in the condition she is in."

"Mm!" The Duke hummed and flashed a glance at Rebecca. His eyes were fixed on her belly, irritated at the sight. He knew perfectly well she was pregnant before he proposed to her.

Rebecca felt nervous by the cold stare he gave her and wished she could disappear but sighed when she knew her nightmares had just begun. Her mother walked towards her with teary eyes and hugged her.

"I'm going to miss you, my dear." Hilda said ruefully.

"I will too." Rebecca said wryly, holding onto her tight. She knew it would take a long time before she would feel such embrace again.

"Come on, Hilda! You're delaying the couple. They have to leave. You're well aware that the Duke comes from a far place." Edward said calmly, gently breaking the hug.

Hilda sniffed and replied in a nod. She had her arm round his side. Rebecca looked at Crystal, who did her best not to break down in front of her best friend. She smiled and waved goodbye at her friend. Crystal reciprocated.

The Duke led the way to the carriage and held it open for his wife. Rebecca stood at the door and stalled for a minute. She turned her head round and looked at her family. She faked her happiness in front of them. She turned to her husband, who didn't look pleased with his decision.

Rebecca entered the carriage and sat down. The duke came in minutes later and the horseman closed the door. She peeked through the window and had her eyes on the sun, which was slowly at the horizon. The horses neighed and the carriage began to move. The Duke sat opposite her.

Rebecca's eyes met his and he looked away. She couldn't help but wonder what he thought about her.

"Why does he keep staring? Does he despise me that much?" She thought and bit her lips nervously.

Rebecca fidgeted her fingers and didn't bother to talk to him. The Duke lived in the next village, which was miles away from Rebecca's hometown-Strathpeffer. The carriage pulled over in front of a house. One of the Duke's stewards, who had stood outside the house, opened the door. He helped Rebecca to get out and held it open for his master.

"Your grace!" The steward acknowledged him with a bow.

The Duke ignored him and walked to the house. Rebecca looked at the building and was astonished. The house was built in a classic architecture-Victorian house. The roofs were hipped; it had turrets windows; the porches had woodwork on them; the asymmetrical shapes made the house exquisite both in its exterior and interior and had bay windows.

Rebecca remembered where she was and entered the house. As she entered the living room, she saw the maids standing in a queue and all curtsied as she got closer. She was stunned by the respect, hence, she wasn't used to the formal greetings.

"Your grace!" A man beside the mantle said and bowed at her.

"Thomas!" A steel voice called him from the end of the room.

All eyes-Rebecca and Thomas'-were on him.

"Duke Williams," Thomas said plainly,

"It's good to see you. For a moment there, I thought you wouldn't arrive before the crickets began to chirp."

"Well, you guessed wrong. I see you're already acquainted with the duchess." Williams said sternly, keeping a straight face.

"I haven't done much for an introduction." Thomas said frankly.

Williams looked at his wife plainly and let out a sigh.

"Her name is Rebecca; as you already know, she is the Duchess. So do your best not to annoy her like you do often to me." Williams instructed firmly.

"I will my best not to, Your grace." Thomas answered submissively.

"Hm!" Williams hummed,

"Have the midwife attend to her."

"There is certainly no need for a midwife. I'm-." Rebecca said cowardly.

"You're not allowed to speak unless you're asked to do so." Williams cut her off, in a firm voice.

Rebecca hung her head, embarrassed by her action.

"I'm sorry, Your grace." She apologized.

"Thomas?"

"I will go and call the midwife." Thomas said and quickly left them.

Williams watched him as he left. He looked at the maids. Neither of them dared to look up; all had their gaze on the floor.

"You!" He called one of them sternly.

The maid by the right, cowardly raised her head and quickly avoided his fiery eyes.

"Show the Duchess to her room." He ordered.

The maid replied in a nod, still didn't make eye contact with Williams. Williams glanced at everyone in the room, except his wife and left the room.

The maid climbed up the staircase while Rebecca followed her. She had her hand on the handrail as she climbed up. She heaved as she got to the landing.

The corridor was wide, enough to be a venue for a small event. There were about six rooms upstairs, including the master's which belonged to Williams. The maid walked to a room and turned the handle. She held the open for Rebecca and waited for her enter first.

Rebecca surveyed the room as she walked in. She was amazed by what she saw. There was a queen-sized bed, which had lemon patterned bedsheet on it; the duvet had the same pattern; the dressing table was close to the windows; there was a baby cot beside the bed; there were paintings hung on the wall-of birds in the air, the forest, a sailboat in the sea and lastly, of an old lady who wore a stiff smile-there was a chest of drawers and a wardrobe at the end of the room, directly opposite the bed.

As curious as she was, Rebecca walked towards the cot. Inside the cot, there were baby clothes as well items the baby would be fond of when it will born. She turned her head round and looked at the maid.

"Was it the Duke who got all these?" Rebecca asked eagerly.

The maid replied a nod. She observed that the Duchess was stunned by the gifts.

"Is this room mine or it belongs to the Duke?" Rebecca asked curiously, with her brow slightly furrowed.

"No, Your grace! The Duke likes to be alone and doesn't like to be disturbed. That's why he strictly ordered that a room should be arranged specially for you." The main said candidly, with her hands behind her.

"Oh!" Rebecca said, a little disappointed,

"Um, what's your name?"

The maid was stunned at the question. She looked both ways to confirm if she was the one that she was referring to you.

"Me?" The maid replied doubtfully, pointing at herself.

"Yes. There isn't anyone in the room asides us." Rebecca said, being friendly. She had a warm smile.

"I am Zita, Your grace!" The maid replied, feeling edgy. It was evident in her speech.

"It's nice to meet you, Zita. I'm Rebecca but you can call me Becky."

"I certainly can't, Duchess. The Duke will be furious with me if I address Her grace by her nickname." Zita said plainly, giving her reasons.

Rebecca was about to speak with the door creaked open. The Duke stood there and looked at the two. Zita frighteningly had her eyes on the floor and avoided eye contact. Rebecca saw the look he wore-certainly a sign for her to avoid him-and she swallowed nervously.

"I-I will go and set the table for Her grace." Zita stuttered cowardly and quickly left the two.

The bang of the door made Rebecca's heart beat to increase. Being left alone with the Duke made her nervous as she already was. The Duke stood a step forward, standing slightly opposite her.

"I hope you like the room?" He asked her plainly.

Rebecca nervously nodded and avoided eye contact. The Duke looked at her, and then her belly. He seethed at the sight of her pregnancy and heaved. He had his fist clenched behind him.

"Th-thank you for the gifts. I'm-I'm sure the baby will like it." She said awkwardly.

Williams diverted his eyes to the baby cot beside the bed. He hummed and had his gaze on her. His smile was stiff. His expression sent chills down her spine. The room was filled with silence; Rebecca found the room uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry that my condition won't let me perform my nuptial duties this night." She said, looking at him.

"I'm not bothered. You're certainly not my taste; even without your pregnancy, I wouldn't touch you. Your presence irritates me." He answered bluntly, not concerned about her feelings.

Rebecca felt insulted and her eyes became teary.

"If you hate me, why did you marry me?" She asked keenly, in a feeble voice.

Williams still felt unaffected by her emotions and wore a cold look.

"I did that to save your poor parents from the shame and disgrace you've caused them. It was easy for you to mess round and behave like a slut that you didn't think about their reputation. But I guess when the result displayed itself, you petty boyfriends were quick to quit you." He replied sternly.

Rebecca couldn't help but let the tears ran down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them off and sniffed without looking at him.

"I want to be left alone." She muttered, a bit loud that she could be heard.

Williams looked her blankly, showing no remorse for his actions. He wasted no time and left the room. Rebecca sat down on the bed and cried quietly.

Williams sat down at the dining table and slowly ate his breakfast. He looked constantly at the empty table. One of the maids came in, holding a jug filled with orange juice. She kept it on the table and was about to take her leave.

"Where is my wife?" He asked flatly.

The maid flinched when she was being addressed and looked at him.

"The Duchess is in her room, Your grace! She had declined having breakfast with you and wished not to be disturbed." The maid replied frankly.

The Duke didn't take her message into consideration and nodded. He cut through his eggs with his cutlery and said,

"Tell her I said, it's mandatory to have breakfast with me. Even if it's against her wish."

His voice was hoarse as he spoke.

"Your grace?" The maid uttered doubtfully and quickly held her tongue.

Williams looked at her sternly. The maid awkwardly left the room and climbed up the stairs. She knocked on a door.

"Your grace, may I come in?" She asked from the closed door.

"Yes, you may!"

The maid turned the handle and opened the door ajar. She entered the room and looked at the Duchess, as well as her colleague, Zita.

Rebecca was seated at the dressing table and was writing a letter. She had already started and was about to conclude what she had intended to tell her receiver. She quickly added the closure and folded the paper. She kept the letter in the envelope and stood up from the chair. She walked towards Zita.

"Please give this to Thomas. Let him deliver this letter discreetly without my husband knowing." Rebecca instructed Zita.

Zita collected the letter from her and nodded. She curtsied and left the room. Rebecca had briefly narrated her experience of being married to the Duke to Crystal. She sought to be relieved as she shared her feelings with her best friend. She turned to her side and saw the other maid.

"Yes?" Rebecca said plainly, with her gesture partially friendly.

"Your grace, I had told the Duke what you said but he ordered that you should come down and have breakfast. Even if you intend not to." The maid answered.

Rebecca listened to what she had said and rolled her eyes.

"Just because I let him insult me last night, doesn't mean I'll let him force me to do things I choose not to." She gabbled,

"I stand by what I had earlier. I'm not interested. And if he persists, he would have to come and tell me to my face. That's if he is not scared of me."

The maid was surprised at her attitude. She had thought the Duchess was the weak type but never knew she was this bold-not the type to be easily intimidated, not even by the Duke.

"Go on! Tell him what I've said." Rebecca said.

The maid stalled for two minutes, eager to know if she would change her mind and regret what she had said. Rebecca stood firm on her decision. The maid curtsied and left the room. She returned to the dining table.

Williams had lost his appetite and waiting for Rebecca to come downstairs. He furrowed his brow when he saw only the maid. She knew what she was about to say would definitely upset him and had her gaze on the floor.

"So, where is she?" He asked icily, raising his voice at her.

"The Duchess has refused to have breakfast with you. She said if you insist, you should go and tell her yourself." The maid said plainly.

"She said all that?" He thundered, slapping his hand on the table. He angrily stood up from his chair.

"Yes, Your grace!" She replied frighteningly.

Williams pursed his lips.

"You may leave." He said dismissively, pissed off by the Duchess attitude.

The maid left the room. Williams walked out of the dining room and went straight to the staircase. He had climbed a stair.

"Your grace?"

The Duke turned his head round and looked at the person who had called him.

"A letter came for you." A steward said, showing him the letter he was holding.

Williams looked at the stairs. He heaved angrily and retreated from his proposed plan. He took the letter from him. He looked at the envelope and saw the royal stamp on it.

"You may go!" He dismissed the steward.

The steward nodded and returned to his position, at the front door.

Williams quickly opened the envelope and took out the letter. He opened it and read the content.

"Williams, My beloved,

How are you? Surely, you're still disappointed by my absence all these months. I hadn't notified you of my travel which His Majesty had ordered that I do. He wanted me to be acquainted with my cousins who lived in the south of Scotland. I'm deeply sorry if you felt angry by my disappearance. But I write to let you know that I've returned from my unplanned trip.

Please, do come and visit.

Yours affectionately,

Princess Fiona II."

Williams was surprised at the letter. He reread the content, to be sure he hadn't assumed anything.

"Fiona is back?" He muttered in disbelief.

Thomas entered the room and saw the puzzled look the Duke wore.

"Duke Williams,"

The Duke looked at him and put the letter back in the envelope.

"Are you-?" Thomas asked but was cut off.

"Have the horseman get me a horse. I'll be leaving soon." Williams said plainly. He quickly handed the letter to Thomas.

"Keep it in the stateroom and keep an eye on the Duchess."

Thomas glanced at the envelope in his hand and then, the Duke.

"Is it after or before I tell the horseman of your impromptu departure?" Thomas asked confusingly.

"Don't be a fool. Go and meet the horseman first." Williams replied harshly, not in the mood of his stupidity.

Thomas nodded and did as he was told. The Duke looked at the staircase again, hoping to vent his anger on his wife, whom he felt insulted by her disobedience. He stalled a little and left the room.