Charlotte's lips hung open at the information and she asked," Did you just say Noble crest theatre?"
When Hazel nodded she said," His grace really dotes on you." "I'm not so sure about that," she replied, folding her legs to place her chin on her knees.
"I think it's quite obvious that he does," added Charlotte before saying," I will prepare your bath," and she disappeared behind the curtains of the bathroom.
After having breakfast, Hazel was wondering what she was going to do next when a knock came on the door.
Charlotte went to open and saw that it was Mr Cooper. Bowing her head, he asked," Is Ms Winston in?" "Yes Mr Cooper," she replied.
"Alright. This letter belongs to her," he said.
Charlotte took the letter and he walked away from there.
Closing the door, she walked inside checking for the sender," Lucas Easton."
"Lucas!" Hazel exclaimed the moment she heard the name and she got up from the bed walking to where Charlotte was. "Is he the same friend of yours?" she asked when she took the letter. "Yes. The one I was supposed to go with to Treadstone," she replied as she opened it.
After opening it, she took a seat on the bed and she started reading.
Hazel Winston,
How is everything going over there? Let me hope that you are doing alright. I wrote this letter to inform you that I reached well in Treadstone although you stood me up at the last minute.
I took over my uncle's bakery and although things are not so good, they are not bad either and I am hoping to solve them soon. I would also like to inform you that I don't hold any grudge against you despite of what happened. I wish you all the best and take care of yourself. Until we meet again.
Yours,
Lucas Easton.
Sighing, she folded the letter and placed it on the bed. She was glad that he had written to her because she had gotten his address. She had always wanted to write to him explaining the reason why she didn't go with him that day. "I will be back shortly," informed Charlotte and she nodded.
Hazel then got up and she walked towards the drawers before getting a pen and paper.
Sitting back on the bed, she placed the paper on the table and she began writing.
'I am glad that you reached safely Lucas. I have been wanting to write to you and explain why I couldn't come with you but I didn't have your address. I'm so glad that you have written to me. The honest truth is that, I had planned to come with you but I was set up the very morning we were supposed to leave.'
After writing everything that happened that morning, she read through the letter again before folding it. "What are you doing?" she was startled by the voice and she immediately turned to see the Duke standing behind her.
"What is that?" he asked as he came to sit next to her on the bed. "I-I am writing," she replied.
He reached for her letter and read through it. When he got done, he got the other which was Lucas's and he read through it too.
"So, he has never given up on you," he said placing back the letter.
"He just wanted to tell me that he reached safely," she said. "That is not true but I will choose to ignore that. I have decided to spend the day with you," he said.
"Why's that? I am sure that you have a lot of work to do," she said. "You are among that," he said before asking," Did you have your breakfast?" When she nodded, he got up and said, "Come with me. I need to show you something."
She took both the letters and placed them in the drawer before following him outside.
They walked towards the side of the manor where she had never stepped to, and they entered towards a dark room that looked to be abandoned.
Looking around the dark room, she was yet to ask what they were doing there when he drew the curtains, letting light penetrate into the room. It was when her eyes caught sight of the paintings on the wall.
She immediately walked towards them and she looked at one, where an island was painted. It looked so beautiful. Looking at another one, it was of an ocean where the sunset had been captured.
"These are beautiful. Who painted them?" she asked as she turned to glance at him.
She then walked to the next painting and seeing the woman in it, it was none other than the late Duchess, his mother.
"Your mother," she said and she turned to look at him again. "Who painted her?" she asked him again. "What do you think?" he asked her back. "It can't be you, can it?"
When he didn't reply, she exclaimed," So it's you?!" She perceived his silence to be a yes and she said,"You draw so well," she then continued to look at the paintings.
"Do you know that you can make a lot of money out of this?" she asked.
"I just enjoy doing it," he replied. "It's weird that I don't remember you being so good at painting," she mumbled subconsciously.
"What did you say?" he asked and she looked at him. "What?" she asked. "You said you don't remember me being so good at painting," he said. "Did I? I meant that I don't remember hearing it," she said and went back to look at the paintings where she saw his parents in one painting.
"Not many people know that I paint," he said.
"So am among the few who know. How glad," she stated. "Do you want me to paint you?" he asked. "You would?" she asked immediately, excitement evident in her voice.
"If you convince me," he said. "How?" she asked. "Find a way," he said walking further inside the room and she followed him.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To see my pet," he replied. "You have a pet?" she asked. "Yes. You want to meet him?" "Him? Uh yes," she replied.