He Insists

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.