Chapter 5: The Duke of Camden

It was the day before her departure, and the drums and trumpets of the king’s men could be heard off in the distance. Everyone rushed to the windows, craning over themselves to catch a glimpse of the fanfare.

From her chambers, Lucy could see the king’s flags outside the manor's gates waving in the wind. She had been checking her luggage when the sounds were heard, turning her head to the window.

“My lady, we must ready you to meet the Duke,” Meghan said, pulling Lucy from her stare.

The women dashed to strip Lucy of the plain frock she was wearing and into something more fitting to meet a high-ranking member of the aristocracy.

There was no time to argue over options. Meghan appeared in a silver dress with pearls sewn into the bodice, slipping it over Lucy’s head before cinching it tight. The sleeves were loose before tightening around the wrist.

They pinned some of Lucy’s hair up with barrettes that had pearls along them.

While Meghan sank to the floor to put shoes on Lucy’s feet, Lucy clasped a string of pearls around her neck and put pearls in her ears.

Running through the halls, she only slowed when she heard voices. Regaining her composure, she put on a mask of indifference as she strolled into the foyer.

“We must make a good impression, make sure the servants are on their best behavior,” Rosalind told the steward. An older gentleman who had served the manor since his youth. His face was devoid of emotion, but when she was a child, he would always produce little treats for her with a smile.

Portia arrived a few moments later in a red dress that hugged her body. Her hair was down in thick curls, and, like her mother, there was a heavy application of rouge on her lips and cheeks, with painted eyelashes. The sight confused her till she realized Portia was hunting. Marriage hunting and a duke would make a grand prize.

She rolled her eyes as Rosalind adjusted Portia’s dress, ensuring her cleavage was on display. The steward took his leave, speaking only with the baroness when necessary.

The baron stood outside watching as the fanfare arrived through the gates. The women of the house soon made their way out to join him.

The baroness stood next to her husband, her daughter next to her, and then Lucy at the very end. It had been her place since the day she waited on the exact steps for Rosalind and Portia’s arrival.

Her stepmother had given her a disapproving look before entering the manor. Portia scrunched her nose and followed her mother as always.

The duke rode atop his chestnut horse at the head of the procession. Before he reached the spot where they stood, she heard the baroness whisper to her daughter. “I hear his wife is in ill health and that she will not last the winter.”

“Leaving him without an heir,” Portia said back with a smile as the two laughed with one another in glee.

Lucy looked at everything but them to make sure they did not see the look of disapproval that lived in her eyes.

The manor was an ancient house with its stone walls and ivy cascading down the side of the stones. Hedges, trees, and flowers were all planted outside the front drive. A wide set of stairs led up to the grand doors where they stood waiting for their guest.

It was the middle of the afternoon as the sun beat down on them. Sweat threatened to form at Lucy’s brow from the heat.

The horses made their way along the gravel that made a circle in front of the manor.

The chestnut horse whined as it came to a stop. “Baron Quinn, it is good to see you,” the rider called as he dismounted.

“Your grace, Duke of Camden, thank you for making the journey to our abode.” The baron said as a groom quickly took the reins from the Duke to lead his horse to the stables to be cared for.

The Duke of Camden approached the baron, taking off his riding gloves. His hair was peppered with grey hairs, and Lucy surmised he was slightly younger than her father, making her more repulsed by her stepsister. His body was adorned in a brown silk shirt, a fur overcoat, and a jeweled belt full of precious stones. The way he walked showed no sign of fatigue, as if he stayed in good shape. He was a man of means and power.

His long sword hung at his waist as he waved off Cedric. “Northshire is always beautiful this time of year, and it is always a privilege to carry out the will of the king.”

“We are blessed to host you. Please come meet my family,” the baron said, turning to the women. “My wife Rosalind and stepdaughter Portia,” they held out their hands for the duke to kiss, which he did so easily. “And my daughter Lucinda”

“Lady Lucinda,” he dipped his head with a smile as she nervously held out her hand.

“Your grace,” Lucy curtsied with a smile.

“A beautiful smile you have, my lady,” he told her warmly.

“You will be escorting Lucinda tomorrow,” Rosalind interjected, irked by the extra attention Lucy had received while her daughter had barely gotten a glance.

The Duke barely paused as his brow threatened to quirk in confusion, but he quickly regained his composure. “It will be my honor.” He said, releasing her hand.

“Please come inside,” the baron directed them into the manor.

The knights who accompanied the Duke dismounted and followed them into the manor, passing their dreads to the grooms. Lucy could not help but look over her shoulder as their armor clanked and the chain mail rattled as they walked up the steps leading into the manor.

“We’ve prepared rooms for your party,” Rosalind said as they stepped inside the ornate wooden doors that led into the manor. The tapestries hung from the wall after being carefully cleaned and restored. A speck of dirt would be hard to find after Rosalind worked tirelessly with the servants.

The steward stepped forward, ready to guide the guests to their rooms.

“Thank you, we’ve traveled for several days. It will be nice to rest in a decent bed.” The duke said with a sigh of relief.

“Let us rest and rejoin for dinner,” Cedric said in a hollow upbeat voice.

“Very well, I could use a bath.” The duke agreed. The steward showed him to his chambers while the other servants tended to the knights.

With the duke gone, the family disbanded to their chambers. Rosalind and Portia left together to plot their next move, while Lucy and her father did not spare one another a glance.