The Duke's Fight For Love

CHAPTER 1

Her Arrival

Juliet's POV

The flimsy shrivel air rushed freely to my face, as I walked along, dry hay crunching underneath my feet. I pulled out the piece of paper from my pouch where I stuffed it earlier; the piece Aunt Elizabeth had scribbled down the directions to her home. The route was still a bit further, my feet ached in my shoes, the heavy bag in my hands weighed my left shoulder and my throat longed for moisture. I would do well with rest and a warm meal. I dropped the bag from my grip, if it was an animate it would have felt that the heat was like that of a blacksmith furnace. I turned backwards facing the direction of where I had come from but I saw no one, no carriage at any distance, only the bowing stems of the tall hays by the paths. Tiny brown leaves rolled across the road in the direction of the wind, a sign of a lonely and abandoned route.

I continued the walk, in the same side that I had been walking for the last hours something I learnt to do after a dreadful circumstance occurred.

**

About a decade ago, as a lass walking home from church with mother, I would choose no path. My childlike self thought to be partial to nature if I decided on getting a favourite spot on the side of the road. I still like the warm feel of the midday sun on the sands, burying my shoes that I got the itchy bits of sand on my skin. I would watch the wind bring the dust on my footprints. I loved holding my dress so I do not get dust on it. Mother always warned; yelling with no iota of modesty to the point of using cuss words when any carriage came passing by. And then, the carriage came, the one that changed my life. I did not see it behind me_ the brownish, fairly polished wagon with its rider on the black horse. The gallops and neighs or mothers words were all inaudible to my tiny ears. I fell admits being hit, I saw the running hoofs of the horse beside me before I buried my face in the hot sand. Blood and tears gushed out of me by the time mother pulled me up.

**

I stopped walking as I heard a rhythmic trot on the ground, like that of a ten pound horse galloping at full speed. It could be a carriage, or just a lonely fellow on a horse back who happened to be passing by. I wish it was.

"Hey! fellow!" I waved my kerchief towards him as I sighted the rims of his hat. The horse began to slow down and finally came to a halt just in front of me.

"Hello."

"How do you do Mister?" I always love to put an extra bit of warmth when talking to a stranger, mother said it showed how courteous one could be and could make a stranger help without having you seeming desperate.

"How do you do too? What is a lovely lady doing on this path on a sunny day?"

"I'm heading to town. From the direction on this piece, it is still a bit further, so I was wondering if you could be kind enough to take me downtown. The sun is scorching and it is melting away my thinking organ."

"It is indeed a happy sun today. Hop on lady, the carriage is nearly full, you can shove the clothes aside. I deliver fabrics in the market in town." He grinned, his face looked like he just gave a sardonic smile.

"Thank you sire, you are very kind."

We rode along to the town, it was like a high estate of patricians, king-makers, the reason Elizabeth was contented living in a cottage. A cottage was like a mansion back home. Even with the rays from the sun, the women still held their heads up while walking, looking over their shoulders with one hand clutch to a hand fan. Some ladies stood behind them adjusting their dresses to avoid them tripping over it. Mother always called this kind of women, nobles, they were women of high standards in the society either Duchess, Lady's or people from wealthy homes.

"This is Sterling estate, miss." The carriage stopped by a path.

"Thank you for the ride." I waved at the carriage still holding my smile as he rode on. The estate gate sat opposite the cottage that was in-between a lawn. The cottage looked like every other building in England, with its greyish appearance from a long washed out cement bricks, but unlike other buildings in the estate which preceded from metal gates to tall storey buildings, this was just a small fraction, like different parts of each buildings were cut out and put together to make a smaller one. Aunt Elizabeth had won the hearts of these people when she made the most pulchritudinous dress for a Lady. Now, she makes a good living as a seamstress in town. I walked past the fence_ a half wooden fence that surrounded the cottage. Clothing and sheets swung freely hanging from the clothesline.

I walked along, already feeling the wetness underneath my arm. Mother would not like to see me like this, she always warned that I lacked some bit of modesty as I might not get a good suitor like my sisters. I saw a lady walk out from the door with a basket full of fabrics.

"Aunt Elizabeth!" I called out, it was just a way I showed that I had deeply missed someone. She moved her round body in the flowing dress as she walked towards me.

"Juliet!" She dumped the basket walking towards me and wrapped her chubby arms around me in a tight hug.

"Oh Juliet, it is so lovely to see you again. You are now a full grown woman. How did your trip go?" She pulled away from me.

"Long, but worthwhile. You have been sorely missed. The splendor of this landscape was not adequately conveyed in your letter. But I am here now, thanks to the kind trader."

"Oh poor Juliet, you know I still have a bad eye. Come in, come in." The cottage engulfed me in a feeling of familiarity and warmth. The stream of the fine aroma of hot bread greased my nostrils awakening my taste buds from long hours of compulsory rest which caused my hunger. I rubbed the back of my palm in my weary eyes. The cottage had mitten designs on white kerchief hung on every corner of the wall, which made it look like the walls were made of linen if not for the big painting that mounted in the middle.

It was a picture of Mr. Colton, Aunt Elizabeth's husband. I have missed seeing his face, with his curled up moustache that always sprung up whenever he pulled it out. It had broken Aunt Elizabeth when she lost him to an influenza outbreak. She had lost a son too, Charles, her young soldier, as she always called him, who left her too soon. Now, she was just Aunt Elizabeth, the middle class seamstress with a bad eye.

CHAPTER 2

New Home

Juliet's POV

"A lovely home you have here." I walked toward the portrait, staring at it. She walked towards me with her hands on my shoulder.

"I miss them every day. Being a seamstress has been my only distraction and with my eye getting worse every day, I might not be able to distract myself anymore"

" That is why I am here, aunt. To support you all the way through." I hugged her again, she pulled away sniffing.

"Come, I will show you your room and also prepare water for your bath, you rig of old sweat and road dust."

The room was small and smelled nice, like it had just been recently cleaned. She pulled open the louvers of the windows letting in air.

"Here, it is," She handed the key over to me,

"There is water flowing through the tap, in the bathroom, it should be just enough for your bath. I will get a bowl full of warm water to help you wash better."

"Thank you aunt, this is nice, smells nice too."

"Oh, and there is something else." She walked to the big chest resting by the wall. It was a trunk of fabric of different colors and the smell of camphor rushed to me. She pulled out a red dress, full skirt, fuller than the one that I had on. One of the prettiest and classiest I had seen locked in a trunk.

"This was for Lady Agatha's daughter, but she rejected it, the skirt is not thick enough, she had said."

"The Lady's daughter must really not have eyes for nice things." I grabbed the dress, placing it on my chest watching myself in the big mirror.

"This is lovely." I twirled moving the dress with me.

"You can have it."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, you can have any dress in the trunk. Go on, check them out and then wash up. I will go and set the table for lunch now."

•••

I walked to the table, watching the steam escape from the meal. Aunt Elizabeth walked out of the kitchen with a big bowl.

"That dress is lovely."

"Thanks aunty, I made it myself. I would have made the dress fuller if I did not run out of fabric."

"It still looks good on you. I never knew you were this good with fabrics. Did your mother teach you something?"

"Yes, she showed me a few things."

"I always knew she had it in her but she never wanted to admit it and now it is showing so much in you. Let us eat."

I pulled the wooden chair forward settling in.

"I haven't seen my sister in years. She only sends letters and now she has sent you. I wonder if she has as much grey hairs in her head as mine."

"Oh aunty, your sister; my mother is doing just fine, in fact she is planning a wedding."

"A wedding?"

"Yes, my sister will be wedded in a few days and I wish not to attend. Mother's constant nagging and discontent reached its maximum that I had to take the trip here sooner than planned."

"I see, we can always talk about it when you deem it fit. Do you like the meal?"

"I do, and it is tasty, but the milk is a bit sour though."

"Oh, I'll be sure to go get a new one."

"I can help you get it if you point me to the market."

"Oh, no Juliet I'll get it tomorrow, I am a bit occupied today. I have to meet with a few ladies in the estate to take out measurements for new dresses. There would be a ball in the estate soon. The Duke is organizing it, but I don't know the occasion. There are always balls here in Sterling estate."

"Sounds interesting. I can go take measurements with you."

"You came from a far journey, you will need plenty of rest."

"Yes, I would when we are back from taking the measurements and besides, I want to catch a glimpse of what the estate looks like."

"Juliet, most of those women can be a bit pompous sometimes."

"I know ma'am, you have worked for them, and I can do that too."

"Hmm, you are a hardened nut."

"Mother always tells me." She shook her head, heading towards the door.

"Grab my basket and a bonnet, so we go take the measurement before it gets to dusk.

"Okay, ma'am." I walked along.

I was like a child always piqued with curiosity, everyone at home knew this, so they kept me away from secrets they wanted to keep hidden. As we walked in through the gate, the brilliant petals of the gorgeous garden welcomed my eyes, and my senses meticulously kept hedges. I closed my eyes to take in the sweet smell of the concoction mix of various kinds of flowers. Aunt Elizabeth pulled me forward, I opened my eyes to a gorgeous lady, in a full dress. Her face was like the pile of gold in a mine.

"Elizabeth, you are a minute late."

"My apologies Lady Agnes, I had a little delay at home."

"I see, you have a helper now?" She turned towards me.

"She is my niece."

"Hello." I waved at her.

"Mother awaits you, only you." She turned and walked in, ignoring my pleasantries.

"Aunt Elizabeth, who is that?"

"That is the Lord's betrothed, she just arrived in England a few days ago. They would be wedded soon. I need to go in now, I do not want to keep the Ladies waiting. You can wait outside, I will be out soon."

I nodded in response, watching her walk in the same direction Lady Agnes had walked. The garden caught my eyes again, it was compelling to take a look around. After all, I might not get the chance to see such again. I walked into it, it was like a maze with green high lawns as walls and flowers at every angle. I took one off its stalk putting it up to my nose. It looked more like a dandelion but its petals were like that of the lily. I rounded a corner, where I saw a man, in the midst of the rose flowers, admiring everything that was in full bloom. He turned to me with a stern stare, "Oh, I am sorry, I shouldn't have taken it off its stack." He stared sternly and then into a laughter.

CHAPTER 3

Meeting Him

Juliet's POV

"I got you there. You could have seen the look on your face."

"Huh? I am bewildered with confusion, Sire." I moved backwards still trying to understand his mood. He was certainly a joker and his sense of humor already intrigued me.

"This is not a familiar face, where did you come from?" He asked.

"I am Juliet. Aunt Elizabeth's niece."

"Oh, I see the facial resemblance now. You can call me Jackson. You seem not to know who I am, do you?" He narrowed his eyes.

"I know nothing of who you are, but I can take a guess." I loved the challenge to guess a man's age or title was a way I earned good fabrics in the market back home.

"Alright, alright, who would you want me to be?"

"First, you seem to know everyone that stays in the estate and you love flowers. So I would say you are the Chief Gardener and a noble one."

"Mm, lucky guess."

"It gives me great joy, Mr. Jackson. Your exquisite taste is clearly reflected in your gardens. It seems like entering a fantastic tale."

"I will take the compliment. What do you think about being a noble?"

"Being noble is a sign of dignity and aristocracy."

"Hmm, Juliet, come take a stroll with me."

We began the stroll through the grounds, our footsteps on the garden path formed a melody as our laughter blended with the soft rustling of leaves.

"Tell me, Juliet, what brings you to this quiet region of England," His voice whistled with the wind.

"I needed a change of scenery and Aunt Elizabeth has always been a family I loved to spend time with. She is also taking me in as an apprentice." I watch him smile, every smile loosened a tightening nut in me. He spoke more, sharing tales about a certain past and his affinity for literature and art. I love to hear him speak, his brilliant mind and the breath of his comprehension enthralled me.

"Mr. Jackson, you have a wealth of information and a passion that is genuinely alluring. Being involved in such engaging conversation is refreshing."

"And you, Juliet, have a mind as sharp as a diamond, your wisdom and wit are truly a rare treasure. I have to add that I am having a great time with you."

Elizabeth walked in from behind pulling my hands, "Oh! Lord Jackson, We didn't intend to bother you. This is my dear niece Juliet, She was compelled to visit your magnificent gardens."

Jackson turned to face me, meeting my gaze and flashing a genuine smile. I saw his eyes, they were as clear as the cyanic sky. Even as bright as it appeared, there was something not right with them. It was like he longed for something, maybe a path or a direction. It was hard to tell. My instincts were never wrong and the childlike novelty in me had sprung up. That instant, I wanted to know what gloomy cloud had taken a part of him, the desire to know was like a spark that caused my chest to flutter.

I could not help but wonder if this fortuitous encounter held the potential of something more as the sun started to set, sending warmth over the garden. I had no idea of what had just happened or if I will have an encounter of such magnificent nature again. Something about the way he looked at me, and spoke out like he had hoarded a lot of passion waiting to be shared. It felt like a sprouting root, waiting to blossom in the splendor of our shared connection.

Aunt Elizabeth and I left the garden, heading for the gate, I stopped for a while taking a quick turn to stare at the building and garden one last time, just in case I would not get a second sightseeing experience. My eyes rested on a window, up in the building where it seemed like someone stared back at me and in that same instance, there was no one there, just the curtains falling back.

"Did you see that?" I asked.

"See what?" Someone was standing there just staring.

"Who?" She turned towards the direction where I pointed.

"I thought I saw a child. Like a little girl."

"You must clearly be seeing things because there hasn't been a cry of a child ever since I moved here."

"When did you move here?"

"Over six decades ago."

"Oh wow."

"Yes, the last person I saw as a child in this family was Lord Jackson."

"Why haven't there been any child ever since?"

"Oh child, you ask too many questions, let's leave the questions for the morrow, we have so much work to do now."

Jackson's POV

I moved into the carriage, it was the time of the week when I would go out for a stroll to different parts of the town. I dipped the quail into the ink and wrote down my thoughts and wonders about her. Juliet, that was her name. It had been three days since I set my eyes on such wondrous beauty and intelligence. I wanted to see her again, to be able to share from her knowledge in arts beyond just the basics. I looked out through the carriage, to the cottage at the far end of the opposite direction.

"Henry, can you drive the carriage towards the cottage please?"

"Sire?"

"You heard me the first time."

"Alright, sire." He moved closer to the wooden gate.

"That is enough, you should wait over here, and I will be back." I entered through the gate, walking along to the door it swung open. It was her, Juliet.

"Mr. Jackson or would I say Duke Jackson what are you doing here?"

"That is not a way to greet a friend."

"A friend? I do not think we are friends. I presume you have some Duke duties to attend to?"

"Oh, I see your aunt has finally disclosed to you who I am."

"You did not tell me that you were the Duke, why?"

"I did not deem it fit to tell you because I did not want you to see me in such standards. I just want you to be real with me."

"I am real with you and I do not think that it would have mattered if you had disclosed it to me as well. So, how do you like to be addressed, Lord or Duke Jackson?"