Two weeks later
What was he desperately trying to hide? Who on earth would choose to get married with a mask, in a dark room, filled with candles lit around, with their brightness deemed in not so transparent glass cups?
Of course, Ariel had also heard rumors about the great duke of Snow Hill. People referred to him as a man born out of the dark.
Their perspective of him were all wrong because lord Derek wasn't born out of darkness, he learnt to admire the dark as he grew. He learnt to conquer fear by dwelling and hiding in the dark, this was the truth that no one knew.
Derek was standing close to sir Conner, his soon to be father in law, in the cozy but elegant room, belonging to one of London's local government town Halls.
They stood there awaiting for the bride and future duchess of Snow Hill to walk in. Within seconds, the entrance doors flew open and Ariel walked in with a lady, probably a maiden assigned by the duke to accompany her.
Miss Ariel stared at her father with a look of uncertainty. She was contemplating on whether she should take another step, the one step which would leave her standing in front of the duke.
She had never seen him before and it was actually proper for a man to see and get to know a woman before getting married to her but in Denbighshire county, a bride was not supposed to see her husband two weeks earlier than the marriage day. Their believe had it that doing otherwise would lead to destruction in their marriage.
Today she had expected to see the face of the man who without even getting to see her, chose to ruin her life but she got totally disappointed.
She darted her eyes from her father and finally took the next two steps which made her standing directly at the duke's front.
With her face free of any reactions whatsoever, she took her eyes off his face and stopped to check him out.
Even though he was a man of less designs and simple fashion, he was not the type to be caught lowly dressed.
He was wearing a royal blue suit, made of smooth fabric but because of the darkness of the room, she clearly could not tell the color.
His shirt was so white, that its spark glowed in the dark. Her fingers twitched out of nervousness. From what she just saw, his physique was indeed very satisfying and tempting at the same time, even her lord Edward's body shape couldn't compare with that of Lord duke Derek.
She shut her eyes tight as different questions began to compete for answers in her head.
Was she really getting married to this man who was rumored to have lots of bad sides? Was she going to be able to survive laying on the same bed with a man who looked so physically hot, even with his clothes on? Was she really ready to bear children?
While in her thoughts, Derek stared at her, resulting to a state of complete quietness. It was very clear that he had noticed that she was checking him out because he turned his head to flash her a look.
It was time to take their vows, in the process of doing so, Ariel seemed to be getting a cold feet, her throat became completely dry, that she continuously tried to swallow.
Her father seemed to notice her hesitation, so he slightly moved to her back and gave her two powerful but light taps, as an assurance that she was not making any mistakes whatsoever.
In no time their wedding was completed and they began to leave the hall. It had been so quick but efficient and in those few minutes Ariel had changed her surname from Dewhurst to Bourne and was now wearing a wedding ring on her finger. Her title had changed from miss to lady. She was no longer the ordinary daughter of a vicar but a duchess.
As they both continued to walk side to side, Derek unconsciously twirled the wedding band on his finger. It all seemed like a dream to him. Even though his face was solely hidden behind the mask, the fact that he was admiring his wife's beauty on and on could not be unnoticed.
With this beauty beside him, be was sure to have more enemies to himself. He got hated for his achievements. He wondered what and how his brother would react after meeting him. Was he going to try and intimidate him in front of his newly wedded wife? Or was he going to act as though the both of them are insignificant to him?
Lord Derek was never going to let things go wrong for his new bride. He already had a plan crafted out and drafted in his mind.
She was his duty and so had no reason to expose her to cruelty of his brother.
They rode out in different carriages, back to their various homes. Ariel could not follow the duke back to his palace yet because she needed to gather her belongings from get father's house.
"Once you are done, Lucas will ride you back home. As for Luciana here, I have decided that she will be your personal maid, you can do with her whatever you want," he stated to her.
Ariel's POV
I forced out a smile after hearing his words. How could someone be this lose and unbothered with his tongue?
This maid was as human as any of us, the least he could do was regard her humanity and speak of her in a very proper manner but no, he chose to stick with his arrogant behavior.
When I was sure that his carriage had gone really far away, I walked into my house with my father, while the driver, Lucas stood outside guarding the royale carriage and horse.
Luciana had urged me to let her come in and help me pack but I continuously declined. I had other plans, letting her pack my things could jeopardize it all. Her plea began to sound so deafening and annoying, especially when my father began to side with her. They were both unbearable at that moment, I had no other choice than to order Luciana to leave the house and wait for me outside the corridor. I would have definitely done the same to my father but he was my father and not a servant, so there was no way I could order him.
I shut my ro door and began to gather the things that I felt were necessary for me. As I packed, my mind only thought of Lord Edward and how happy I would have been if it were to be him I got married to. Whole thinking of him and packing my stuffs, my hand got hold of a bottle.
I held it up to my face and panicked within myself. There was no need to think twice about the decision I had already concluded for myself.
He chose to ruin in my life and my happiness, it was right to pay him back in the best way I could. The sooner that I got to eliminate him, the quicker my chances of reuniting with the love of my life.
**
She was finally through with packing, she bid her father good bye. She was going to miss him greatly but that didn't matter because she believed that he wasn't going to miss her, since he was the mastermind behind this union.
She walked out to the corridor and found her appoinued maid waiting for her. Luciana hurried to get her Lady's belongings. Ariel didn't deprive her of fulfilling her duty this time around, she handed the luggage to her but she didn't let her get hold of her little purse. There was indeed something Precious in that bag of hers.
Was it the bottle???
***
As she walked into the great palace of Snow Hill, the pleasant view greated her warmly and nicely. There was this strange feeling of acceptance, the oozing breeze seemed to put her scattered hair in check.
Everything was designed and constructed with gold. Indeed Lord Derek was extremely wealthy and well to do.
"My lady please come with me," Luciana said to her with a bow.
"To where?" The new duchess asked.
"Your room, dinner will soon be ready. You have to take a proper bathe, so that you will very comfortable."
She let out a blank smile, different thoughts were running through her mind.
Was she going to lord Derek's bed? Would they begin to share the same bed? Was he going to try and lay her this very night?
This and many more questions ran through her mind. Even though her and Lord Edward had been together, they had not done any of those things men and women in relationships do. Ariel was a modest tyoe, so she was always ready to stop Edward from going through any unacceptable act.
Not even an ordinary kiss had she gotten and this must have probably been the reason why lord Edward had ghosted her and refused to read her later.
No man on earth would be ready to entertain a woman who couldn't offer or bring anything to the table.
Ariel breathed in and out, it was time to face her reality, she was going to drop her fear and walk into whichever room was prepared for her and get so called husband.
It was time....