The Duke's Special Holiday

THE DUKE’S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS

I

It had been four years since Lord David Egerton lost his wife to a terrible illness, but while everyone spent what they considered good-amount-of-time mourning her, he chose rather to remain trapped in the misery.

The window blind of his once beautiful castle was consistently drawn to avoid sunlight from penetrating through, and he kept himself in the solace of his home, and the darkness which no one was able to lift.

It was Lord Egerton’s only brother Laurel, who came up with the idea that time was up for the self-inflicted pains. Duties awaited the Duke’s recovery and wallowing in his pain was never going to help him get out of it. Everyone therefore, began putting in their greatest efforts to make sure that the coming Christmas would bring special happiness to the Duke.

Laurel, David’s brother, had planned together a few of with Lord Egerton’s friends. Lord Egerton couldn’t possibly get wind of the matter yet, because the planners swore not to divulge the details of their plans to him. Matters that involved emotions however were delicate, it was necessary to heat up the situation before time. The process of heating up the situation soon became so intense, that it nearly became obvious that it would eventually have a fruitless result. At that point of its seeming failure, the plan had only been half way executed.

Gloria Reddington was to be the bait. And she was bound to be the failure in Laurel’s brilliant plot. Even though she had planned for and was fully ready to play along, she could not cope with the heat of her requirements.

Being the bait meant that she would eventually become the Duchess if all went well. There was no right thinking lady who could belittle the opportunity of being a Duchess, not even one who would have an equal access to the abundance Lord Egerton had. It had taken only a small discussion for Gloria to return a positive response to Laurel after he told her about the plan.

The main reason why Laurel chose Gloria was not because she was the daughter of a Baron and Baroness but because many years ago, before Lord Egerton settled for Rebecca, his first wife, he had confessed to Laurel that he found Gloria quite attractive.

Merely looking at Gloria revealed the reason why the Duke eventually fell for Rebecca’s charm. The two ladies were blonde with green eyes and they both shared a curvy shape. Gloria would fit.

“If all goes well, David should propose to you before Christmas.” Laurel had assured Gloria.

Time was a major constraint on Laurel part too; his attention was needed in the South, where he was to overseer his large farming business. And so he knew he had little time to plan this out. He consistently visited David and soon made himself available and amenable whenever the duke made a request from him.

“Brother.” Laurel suggested in November. “Do you not see that you have left these curtains down long enough?” His voice was so calm one would never imagine that he had it planned.

“Oh gracious!” David exclaimed. “Willis was here yesterday and he said the same thing about the curtains.”

Laurel feigned surprise; Willis was fully in on the plan. “Is Willis not that wise looking that bearded friend of yours?”

“Of course he is.” David replied.

Laurel nodded with approval. “He has always been smart, and he has the intelligence of an upright man. If he had talked about it, perhaps it is time to lift them and let the brightness of the town brighten your life.”

Laurel did not push the matter any further. There was no reason to create pressure even though he wanted his brother to lift the blinds right away. The patience paid off, the tricked worked perfectly. When Laurel visited the castle two days after, majority of the blinds had been lifted.

That was simply the same trick Laurel employed, in convincing David that the Dempsey’s lavish holiday ball was the only place to be that December.

David had reacted as expected, claiming that he was never again going to have anything to do with balls, especially not one that would have a lot of people who had traveled from far and near for the holiday in attendance.

Laurel had chuckled. “But you know allowing the brightness into your house should best be followed by some physical actions too.”

“I have lifted my curtains only because the idea is good.” David returned defiantly.

“And that is the more reason why you should attend this ball too.”

The expression seemed to quite upsetting to the listener, but there was no better way to say that part. David whirled toward his brother and snapped from his calmness. “These curtains do not lift away the burdens of losing Rebecca. What use do I have of balls? I have had all the fun necessary, it hurts me to merely think that I have to go through the process again perhaps with another woman. I shall not be married again.” He declared.

Laurel felt disappointed, but he didn’t make his feeling obvious. “And no one is saying you should marry again.”

“It is good that you are not.”

“I am most certain that Rebecca herself would want you to have light in your home, and perhaps some glimmer in your life too, by attending the ball.” Laurel said.

“The curtains, maybe.” David replied, “The ball? Not even close.”

“I understand, brother that the woman who you were married too would feel envious of your emotions falling for another woman, but think of her through the eyes of the woman who has now watched you live in misery for four years!”

“Do not go down that lane.” David said, but the look on his face showed that he was seeing himself through the new Rebecca’s lens too.

“Going to the ball is not necessarily to meet a lady. It is just a simple act like lifting your curtains. I just want you to allow some light in this long darkness of your heart.” Laurel said conclusively.

“I shall not think about the matter when you are gone.” David declared. “I am decided.”

The fact that the Duke uttered that last statement gave Laurel some hope. He knew that when David’s friend came up with the same issue, the Duke would budge.

David however, would not need his friends for further conviction, although that was still useful in sealing his consent too. The friend simply said; “People are worried, you should attend a ball for their sake.” and David, whose mind was already inclined by loneliness, promised to attend the ball.

Upon hearing this, Laurel and the others knew that the first stage had been successfully accomplished. The next therefore, was how to bring David to the conviction that his attendance of the ball would be perfect if it came along with the intention for a new bride.

II

Clouds that dispensed light snowflakes drifted over the Dempseys’ hall where several guests were delightfully staring at the exquisiteness of the ball. Decorative flowers crawled along the wall and hinted of the yuletide season. Those who had attended the ball in the past already knew it was the best around the time.

Gloria Reddington’s pulse quickened as she sauntered to the exact position where Laurel had told her to stay. She stared at every other couple around the hall with trepidation. For the first time since she was offered the role, she began to feel guilt rile around her nerves.

Every guest that entered the hall stared at her strangely as if they could see in her face that she had attended this ball to deceive the man who would steal the attention of everyone that evening.

Of course only a few people were certain that the Duke of Darrow would attend the ball, and if he did, as Gloria knew, then he would have a lot of trouble with the marriageable ladies who all now seemed, to Gloria, to be in want of his attention.

The excitement of the plan gradually dissipated, not even the drinks she was swallowing in large gulps relieved her. Every time she looked at a lady like herself standing idly, Gloria saw them as potential threat. In response, she took more drinks.

And why is he late? Gloria asked herself. Every moment of his delay came with greater anticipation, and her fingers kept jiggling together.

Finally, the Duke walked into the venue, with his beloved brother swaggering right behind him. All eyes traveled in their direction and people immediately chirped into each other’s ears.

The discussions could not be far from the obvious. People were just as curious as they looked forward to getting the Duke’s attention.

Lord Egerton and his brother stood at a corner and they stared back at the people. He was indeed a man worthy of all the attraction in the country. He stood four inches taller than his brother who was little above six feet.

The Duke was dressed in a neat tailcoat and black boots with white shirt that glowered spotlessly. The strands of his curled hair were neatly arranged and it cascaded on his forehead with a brilliant trim to shelve them from reaching his eyes.

Gloria imagined what it must have been like to live in the darkness, attending to only the necessary duties. She could almost feel the pain that he must have gone through, and it made her guilt rise sporadically.

Suddenly, she did not want to play her part again, it felt profane. And the man who she was staring at seemed too underserving of the treatment.

“If you have your eyes glued to a man in that manner, he would assume you are cheap and easy.” Mrs. Neville chirped in Gloria’s ears.

“Oh…ma’am.” Gloria was startled. It took a second or two before the words registered.

All the faces of beautiful young ladies in the ballroom were directed at the Duke, Gloria cursed under her breath as regards why the old woman would choose to chastise her for the offense.

“I was not actually looking at him.” She protested. Along his path were other men, even his brother, and she could have been staring at any of them.

“Of course you were, my dear.”

“Well, I was perhaps just thinking about what it must have been for him. Losing a wife and not letting go.”

Mrs. Neville smiled coyly; “Now that is the challenge with most lady. Naturally one is inclined to think ‘Oh, how much he is capable of love…’ But my dear, going through all of that still does not make him an angel.”

Gloria was startled. This was something she had not expected but definitely wanted to hear. “Ma’am?”

“Behind every man no matter how caring, is his beastly nature. The men whose evils are already known are less danger to their women, but a man like Lord Egerton, who everyone considers a sweet angel for his endurance, I would be more careful about earning his love.”

Gloria smiled, “I think I understand you ma’am.”

After a brief pause, the old woman uttered her last expression and she ambled off; “This is not to discourage you from winning his love. It’d be a blessing to see you two walk down the aisle.”

Gloria was going to raise a deep concern. How was Mrs. Neville to know that she was here to win his love? Did she go about telling everyone who found the Duke attractive the same thing?

The wits through which Mrs. Neville expressed herself surely needed exploration. In her small message, Gloria could see a lot of lessons, and it was only wise of her to ask more questions especially now that she didn’t give much care to the ploy of being the Duchess again.

Mrs. Neville had gone and she was nowhere within Gloria’s sight. Within seconds of trying to search for the woman, a strong fist grabbed Gloria’s right palm and she turned to meet the starry eyes of Laurel Egerton.

“Yes sir?” her heart began to beat even faster.

“You are doing greatly.” he observed quietly but politely.

“I am not certain I want to go further with this…” Gloria was saying, but communicating with her drew the Duke’s attention to them.

“That face,” Lord Edgerton said as he drew close, his face was in Gloria’s. She could not keep herself together under his gaze. “Strikingly familiar but I cannot place it.”

“Oh, brother.” Laurel quickly said with a greasy smile. “This is Miss. Gloria Reddington.”

“Now the name rings a bell… Is she the daughter of the prominent Baron?”

“Yes. His second daughter.” Laurel’s smile intensified. He knew his brother was only pretending not to remember the face of the lady who he had once outright told him he liked. His chances of forgetting Gloria was almost impossible.

However, it was clear at this point to Gloria, that the plot to win David’s attention had been successful. She could feel the burrowing eyes of the other ladies in the hall. She had triumphed above them.

David requested her attention and they stood at a corner watching in silence as the first dance commenced. He seemed just satisfied at having her by his side. She could not tell if he would want to partake of the second dance or not. If he wanted that, then she would be his partner, but she struggled within herself, to settle over her decision.

Gloria would not remember how long she was looking startled, but the baritone voice of the man collected her attention.

“May I have the honor of having the next dance with you?”

Good gracious! Her heart thumped heavily. She no longer wanted this. Now she was certain.

III

“Frankly, I had not thought I would dance at this ball.” David chirped. “But I must confess that you are making it a very intriguing experience for me.”

Gloria pulsed her lips before she smiled. Her powerlessness to firmly decide whether or not to cut the drama infuriated her, but it would be unreasonable to thwart the plan at this point when they were at the climax of it.

“I am delighted to hear this Your Grace, everyone has been bothered about your act of staying away from public gatherings.” She said; convinced this was the kind of conversation his brother would want her to say.

He narrowed his brows and nodded cautiously, “And this opinion of the people. What do you make of it?”

Gloria was startled by the question. She took the advantage of their brief separation, according to the dance steps to think of a perfect response.

“If you are trying to ask if I thought about you at any point, Your Grace. I did not. Not more than the deep sadness I felt at your wife’s demise.” Gloria said.

“But if you had the chance to think about it. Would you regard my attitude as being sincerely grieved or just outright folly?”

“I do not criticize people for their personal decisions,” Gloria said firmly. “Frankly even, I think it would be very insensitive to judge a man’s reaction in such circumstances.”

The duke nodded and continued the dance. Whether or not he agreed with her or just wanted the dance to be over soon was immediately uncertain.

“Would you have reacted in that same manner, if you were in my shoes?” The Duke asked out of the blues.

It was an unexpected question, yes, but even when she thought about it now that it had been asked, Gloria had no response to it. She only struggled to think about what his brother would want her to say.

She had no imagination of her future spouse ever departing and now she needed to think.

The response she was later gathering was drawled in deliberate delayed until the music came to an end and she let out an exhausted sigh.

“It was an honor dancing with Your Grace.” She said as she withdrew from him. Her immediate intention was to hurry away from the hall. As soon as she sights Laurel, she was willing to let him know that she could no longer continue with the plan. It should not be difficult fining a willing lady from the ball.

“You are leaving me so soon?” The Duke said as she retreated, but she did not stop. She continued walking to the exit and soon enough she was out of the hall.

Laurel was at the threshold with an Earl from Thorndale. Gloria did not give credence to what they were speaking and sniggering about outside, she interrupted.

“Mr. Egerton.”

“Gloria.” Laurel looked up from the conversation he was having and was about to smile before he noticed the acrid look on Gloria’s face. He looked back at the earl. “Lord Maxwell, I shall be with you shortly.”

He walked with Gloria to a restless distance. “Tell me we have some good news.”

“I’m afraid not, Sir.” Gloria replied.

“What happened?” Laurel asked.

“I just cannot do this. I am afraid, Sir. Only now, I am convinced that being a Duchess is not the life I want ahead of me.”

Laurel smiled. “Dear Gloria, did you think this was your making? All of this?” he admired the startled look in Gloria’s eyes. “No. You are incapable of deciding the direction of my brother’s emotions. And your role is simply to be in front of him. It was his choice to create friendship and whatever eventual results from that.”

“I do not understand.” Gloria stuttered.

“All I am saying is that you should not feel objectified because I told you about a big plan to make my husband fall in love again. I am not his controller, and I have simply played my role of creating the opportunity for him. Neither you nor I are in the position to decide who he will be with.” Laurel spoke with utmost confidence.

“So, if I am at liberty to cease from acting to your brother?”

“Of course you are at complete liberty.” He assured. “If at this point, David chooses to return to the darkness of his home, then naught can be done to right that well.”

“Thank you Sir.” Gloria said from the depth of her heart.

“It is I who should thank you. Heavens know that we have played our part in making my brother find love again.” Laurel reminded.

As she turned back in the direction of the hall, she didn’t quite feel the freedom she had hoped she will feel. At least, she told herself, I am free from the hook. But no one had said she was in any hook in the first place. She had made herself a victim of the plot which was completely harmless.

The third dance was ongoing when Gloria returned to it, and from that entrance, she caught a sight that twisted a knot in her belly.

The Lord Egerton had indifferently found himself another dance partner with whom he was happily chattering with. As much as she hated to admit it, they danced perfectly together and she could see the clear amusement in the Duke’s face.

For a man who had isolated himself for so long under the pretense of mourning his wife, Gloria felt betrayed. Mrs. Neville had been potently right. He was a crook. Only heavens knew what he had been doing behind those rumored closed curtains!

IV

“There you are.” The earl of Thorndale smiled. His breath was already perching on Gloria’s shoulder when he spoke. She turned side-way to meet his heavily browed eyes. He was a fine man, with good manners, and if Gloria had no other matters wrecking her heart, she would have offered the due attention.

“Good evening sir.” Gloria replied, hoping this would not be a new source of long distraction.

“I observed you had all your attention toward Mr. Egerton the other time, I actually wanted to speak with you.” He said.

“I am honored sir, by your attention.” Gloria replied.

The earl scoffed at himself. He probably didn’t consider the exaggerated humility from her. Soon though, his intentions were truncated. Clearly, he had approached with the intention of speaking to her for longer, but he could see that despite the season of love, she had her mind in a different direction. Gloria would not know how distracted she was until the earl spoke about it. “Clearly, your mind is not in this conversation.”

“Oh, I’m sorry sir.” Gloria was saying, but it was too late, the humble earl was already walking off her sight. His manner was not so comely, but she didn’t take much care to that. It was the Duke and his dancing partner that had her attention.

All through the moments, she stood there staring at them and sipping form a glass. The Duke did not spare a second to search the hall for her. Gloria had obviously made no impact in their dance. A sudden feeling of disappointment and incompetence welled up in her.

Gloria was supposed to feel free, getting off the hook of the Egerton, but she felt bitter about the indifference. She looked around again in search of the earl. She had no intention to snag-a-suitor, but if he came up to her, she would give him a fat chance to be by her through the night; through the night alone, and nothing more.

The ball went on until its final end. Gloria could hardly wait. She did not want to leave the ball as a frustrated lady and so she had a final dance with Mr. Greenfield, a dear man with nary idea on how to move one’s feet lightly.

After the dance, she walked hurriedly toward a score of carriages where hers was parked too.

As she stepped into the door of the carriage, the baritone voice of Lord Egerton once again sounded beside her.

“Hello, Gloria.”

Gloria was startled. She convinced herself that she imagined it and still hopped into the carriage. The Duke had to run to her and he held her door.

“Your Grace!” She exclaimed when he bowed.

“You are leaving in such a hurry.”

“Hurry?” coming from a man who had ignored her the entire time, she was surprised. “Other people have started returning home too.”

“Yes but we have not ended our discussion ma’am.”

“Haven’t we?”

“You have not answered my question. Do you mind a moment?”

His question! She could not remember it, but if the question had bothered him that much, she knew he had all the time in the world to return and asked her on the ball floor.

She got off the carriage gently, and they began a restless stroll, amidst other young men and ladies returning to their carriages.

“What was the question Your Grace?” she inquired calmly, unsure what to make of this new meeting.

“I asked to know if you would have acted the same way I did if you lost a spouse early in your marriage.” He inquired.

Is he trying to mock himself through me now? She found herself wondering. “If I hadn’t seen you in that cozy moment with Ms. Bennet, I’d have assumed you were truly interested in knowing the answer to your question from me.”

“What?” It was his time to be startled too. “No dear. Ms. Bennet was complete fun to be with, and she knows how to keep conversation going with consistent pun. However, dancing with her was not my choice entirely. Her father had me cornered.”

“Really?”

“I do not wish to go into the details of his comic persuasion for me to have a dance with his daughter, but we all knew there could be naught between us. Ms. Bennet is not my kind of woman.”

A part of Gloria smiled; another part frowned with embarrassment. “I am sorry Your Grace, -”

“You should not be.” David said, “I should have come to you when I can in the hall. And you have a beautiful smile.”

His speech cracked her face into another shy smile. “I am most honored, Your Grace.”

“Will you answer my question now, Ms. Reddington?”

***

What struck David’s heart about the lady who he had his first dance with, after a long absence from balls and parties, was the striking resemblance she had to his late wife.

It was the fourth year after Rebecca’s passing, and he had grown weary of staying in the darkness he had created in his house. Laurel had just been coincidentally present at this time of his life and he had played a substantial role in making sure that David got the deliverance he needed.

The very moment he let air and light in, David could sense that this Christmas season was indeed the beginning of a new thing in his home. He consented to attending the ball, after pleads from his brother and some friends. All those were mere additions to the decision he had made.

As they stood in the mild cold outside, after he had convinced her of walking around with him, he held Gloria’s hands. He had his gloves on while she didn’t have any, and that made him feel like he was not being honest enough. He peeled off his gloves and held her hands. They were colder than when he was still with his gloves.

“So if you were in my shoes, you would have done just the same.” He repeated the answer she had provided to his question. Like minds thought alike and even though he knew that many other people would agree to act the same, he was satisfied by her response.

“I’d absolutely act likewise.” She said again.

“You are a very interesting lady Gloria, and I wish we would spend more time together.” He chirped.

Gloria smiled, “That would be some other time Your grace. My parents are easily worried if I stay later than they expect.”

“You’re not with a chaperone?” he asked.

“She will be waiting in the carriage for me as we speak.”

“Good then.” He said as he began to walk her back. They saw her chaperone seated impatiently in the carriage.

As he watched them drive off, David reminded himself that it was too early for him to decide whether he was going to propose to Ms. Reddington. She already seemed perfect but he needed his mind and soul and spirit to be in one accord over that. And the only way to reach this accord; was through patience and thorough examination.

V

It was a day to Christmas, and Laurel’s plan seemed to have manifested almost entirely. What was left was the official proposal of the Duke. After three visitations to the Reddingtons’ home, and countless outings with Gloria; with intense expressions of love, it was apparent that Gloria had caught the Duke’s emotional interest.

Gloria woke very early that day feeling restless. It was clear that Laurel had released her from his plan; if there had been any in the first place. And she knew there had been no controversy over the matter of trickery any longer. But she still felt guilty somehow, that it had been due to Laurel’s hints that she was able to get David’s attention.

Gloria’s entire family have been actively celebrating her newly found love, and so Gloria knew that the decision she arrived at, in order to restitute the crooked path of mischief into the Duke’s life, would be with serious consequences.

She pondered all morning over the decision and before sunlight broke through the cold sky, she had concluded on going ahead with it.

Ignorant of what awaited him in her parent’s apartment, David visited the family once again. Only a few hours after she had woken from bed. He seemed too impatient over how events were playing out for him.

“I wish things would move faster.” He explicitly said.

“I have something very important to say…” She said solemnly.

They were seated in the shed outside her parent’s house. From her room, she could see the shed and would often imagine them together there.

“Is it something that would end our happiness together? I do not want that.” He said.

“But I must say it…” She sighed, “It is a very important confession.”

“I do not want to hear of any confession.” He said insistently. “Whatever it is that you have done, I forgive you.”

“I tricked you.” She quickly said, before his words made her change her mind. “Right from the very start, I was part of a plan to get you out of your misery.”

“Hmmm.”

Tears crawled into her eyes, “Your brother and I decided that it was best to make you find happiness again, and he was of the opinion that if I was right in front of you at the ball, you would find me attractive and…” she sobbed again, “I was only then drunken by the glory of being a Duchess.”

He allowed two tear slip out of her eyes before he said anything about what she had said. “Firstly, my brother chose you because I had once told him how much I liked you.” A light delight swept through her face, leaving her looking surprised. “As a matter of fact, you were only nineteen years old when I told my brother I liked you, but I decided then that I need a person who was older, and so my brother knew what he was doing.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Gloria confessed.

“Secondly, Laurel already told me everything about the plot. And he included details of how you told him that you could no longer go ahead.

I sincerely love you Gloria. I trust you and I’d love you until I am incapable of breathing.”

She looked into his eyes and tears flowed like river. Happily for her however, these were tears of joy. “I love you David. I’d love you forever.”

David knew it was time to seal the best Christmas of his life; he stood to his feet and retrieved a ring box from his pocket.

Through her tears, Gloria saw the shiny band that was presented to her. And then the greatest question of a lady’s life followed; “Will you marry me?”

She screamed a positive response and watched with great joy as he placed the ring around her finger.

The Christmas was indeed a special and glorious one for both the Duke and his fiancée.