Drake's POV
The sun has barely risen over the kingdom of Dellshire as the Archduke of Seaside arrived at the high rise that housed the offices of the Wellington Group. Drake Wellington frowned in annoyance at the security guards scrambling to greet him. The nearest guard was shaking enough to rival a 4-point earthquake as he opened the limousine's door a beat too late. "Inform Wallace to visit my office as soon as possible" Drake barked.
Dripping with sweat the guard squeaked out a yes sir. Drake strode into the building cursing as it seemed the day was destined to test his limited patience. A tall lanky man stunningly average in features sporting mousy brown hair and light brown eyes to match met him at his personal elevator.
"I take the security guards were late to the dawn once again." Barry Holmes shook his head in exasperation and said a small prayer to the Head of Security that would soon face the dragon's wrath.
Drake was not known for his good humor and benevolence. Barry entered the elevator with his testy boss and pressed the button for the 21st floor. Enraged with the way his morning was already going, Drake grunted in reply.
Barry waited for Drake to exit before he started his usual morning speech. "You have a meeting at 9:30 with March Corp, next up is a business lunch with Ronald Atwood. I made a 12 pm reservation at your usual restaurant…" He nearly collided with his temperamental superior when Drake came to a sudden stop three steps into his spacious office. In the next moment an overpowering stench of jasmine invaded his sensitive nose. "Oh, for fucks sake, not another one."
A glare that would have melted diamonds settled into Drake's eyes. Hurriedly punching in his numeric code for his private bathroom, he stomped into his only refuge "Deal with it."
Idly wondering what stupid socialite was bold enough to sneak into the duke's inner sanctum, Barry sauntered the final few feet to his furious boss's desk. Spying the black-haired Lady Rosanna, 'For goodness sakes why are they always naked as a fox in the woods.'
"Drake, I just had to surprise…eek!!" Lady Rosanna screamed and dove as if she was a professional diver. Snatching up her clothes she frantically Rosanna covered herself. The man who entered was not the one she anticipated. "What the hell are you doing here? I will demand Drake fire your ass for entering without permission."
"Lady Rosanna," Barry wearily rubbed the bridge of his nose "I am afraid you are quite mistaken. I the Archduke's personal assistant. As such I frequently enter his office all day every day. Unfortunately for my sanity and blood pressure one of my many duties is to oust the sewage waste that seems to wander in uninvited on a regular basis."
"H-how dare you!" Lady Rosanna sputtered wide eyed. "Call Drake this instant, I know I am invited! We talked just last night at the gala."
"My lady," Barry grated out sternly. "The only person I will be calling is our head of security to escort you out if you will not leave on your own. I do not wish or have the time to discuss your delusions."
Lady Rosanna face blazed with the heat of a thousand stars. "My father…"
"Oi, Barry got another one do we?" Wallace sighed as he came up behind Barry. "My lady please do not make my job harder than it already is. Get dressed and get the fuck out of here, before the duke loses his patience and ends your family."
"Like I was telling this imbecile," Lady Rosanna huffed. "Drake and I are dating as of last night."
Two pairs of eyes looked at her is stupefied shock. A moment later both men were bent double in laughter. "Just how did you get that idea?" Barry managed to wheeze out. "Because he looked your way as he talked with your father?"
"Well," she timidly said. "Daddy asked if he would like to date me with marriage in mind."
"My Lady," Barry blew out a breath. "I can guarantee that his grace did not hear a word your father said. The duke has no plans to date or marry. He finds every lady's attempt to go out with him a severe annoyance and a bother. I can promise you the longer you hold up the duke's busy day with our antics the worse it will be for your father. The duke is not known to be even tempered."
Lady Rosana's face turned white as the finest alabaster. "Um, please turn around I will dress as quickly as possible." Five minutes later the once disdainful girl raced out of Drake's office like she was being eaten alive by carrion beetles.
A few hours later dusk crept through the windows facing the ocean that gave his city its obvious moniker. Despondently, Drake ran his fingers through his chestnut hair, trying to ease the spikes assaulting his temples. Exhaustion seemed to weigh him down more than the usual. In the next room, Barry quietly updated his heavily pregnant wife on when he expected to return. Drake leaned his head back scoffing. 'What utter stupidity. Given half a chance with someone higher up the ladder, with more money and that woman will leave him holding dust.' Drake rigidly pushed back the voice in his head that told him he was so irritated at Barry's conversation because he was envious of the life his PA lead outside of work.
Sunday seemed to match Drake's mood as he was still feeling out of sorts after the chaos of his mid-week. He gazed at the gloomy overcast sky as he dressed for Sunday dinner with his grandmother. As far as Drake was concerned the sun rose and set on Lucy Abbott. Craig Wellington was a cold man given to wield a switch more often than not. Lucy used the excuse of Drake being the last remnant of her precious daughter who died before her time as often as she could. Those few precious days were the only bright spot in Drake's otherwise hellish existence.
With a final look in the camera to make sure no more hopeful debutants were lurking about Drake raced to his car. He quickly sped to the only place in the world that held any fond memories for him. These dinners with the elderly white-haired woman that shared his unique sky-blue eyes were the highlight of his otherwise trying week.
"Do try this cake dear," Lucy nervously said. "My chef worked quite hard on it."
Drake paused with the cake half-way to his mouth. He knew that look on her face. His beloved grandmother has something on her mind. Something she was sure that he would not like. "Grandmother, I can see something is weighing on your head. Just tell me." Drake sighed as he set his fork down.
Lucy grimaced and twisted her fingers together. "Well, I was wondering if you had any plans to wed. I am not getting any younger and I wish to see my great-grandchildren before pass out of this world."
"Grandmother," Drake hung his head and ran his hands through his hair yet again. It seemed he would go bald before the month was out. His heart wrenched in pain, he so hated to break this sweet, kind woman's heart. "I have no wish to marry, ever. I will go to my grave a single man."
Lucy trembled and tears gathered in her eyes. "Drake I am so sorry. You will never understand how sorry I am. When you were eight, your grandfather's life was saved by an acquaintance. Gerald offered a sum of money as recompense but this man would have none of it. He instead demanded your grandfather sign a contact betrothing you to his grand-daughter. I only learned of this last week when his son came to demand we honor the contract. The cost of breaking the contract is my shares in Wellington Group. Together with what he already has it would put him as the majority shareholder. I begged and pleaded to let me buy him out but he refused. The vile man he will have nothing but you as a son-in-law." Lucy hung her head as her lap slowly became soaked.
All blood drained from Drake's body. "You have to be kidding me, Grandmother."
"I so wish I was." she sobbed into her folded hands.
"Who?" Drake gulped as his heart and stomach sank to purgatory. Damn his foolish Grandfather. Why had he signed such a blasted predatory contract! Much less one that affected his future.
"Marquis Kelly," Lucy whispered in absolute shame.