Of Love and Deceit

Chapter Two

Edward lurched forward as the carriage struck a stone. Cursing, he righted himself and let his mind drift back to recent events. His father was dead. He was now the new Duke of Heartland. His time at Eton had been less than memorable. Now, he was returning home.

“Home,” he said out loud.

The word tasted like bile in his throat. When his mother had died, his father had lost himself in grief. He had pushed Edward aside, refused to look at him, and showed him none of a father’s love, leaving all parental duties to the nannies and governesses. Edward had tried for years to win his father’s affection, but all he received was cold indifference.

Mrs. Anne Brown, his nanny, had said that people grieved in different ways, and his father’s way was to distance himself, albeit ineffectively. What he needed was time, which Edward dismissed as mere nonsense. By the time he was ready for Eton, he had given up on earning his father’s affection. Now, his father lay dead—dead and cold. The same way he would always remember him. Having completed his studies, Edward was returning home for his father’s burial and to assume the responsibilities of the dukedom.

The carriage was slowing. Sighing, he pulled himself from his sombre thoughts and looked out the window. They were almost at Heartland. He could see it—the grand Georgian estate with its symmetrical facade and large, open gates. The estate’s formal gardens, with neatly trimmed hedges and flowerbeds, stretched out before him. As the carriage rolled to a stop, the driver stepped down to assist him.

“Your Grace,” the middle-aged man said, bowing.

“Thank you, Thompson. You may retire.” Edward stepped out and, taking deep breaths, strode toward the main entrance where his father’s butler awaited.

“Welcome home, Lord Green,” the butler greeted him.

“Hello, Mr. Jones,” Edward replied. Mr. Jones nodded and opened the door. Inside, the Heartland Estate was just as meticulously arranged as its gardens. The grand entrance hall boasted elegant mahogany furniture, ornate fireplaces, and glittering chandeliers. The staff—housemaids, valets, stable hands, groomsmen, and his favourite nanny, now the housekeeper—waited in the foyer.

“Welcome, Your Grace,” they chorused, bowing and curtsying.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Anne, stepped forward with a warm smile.

“Edward, I’m so glad you’re home, my dear,” she said, and Edward found himself enveloped in her embrace.

“It’s wonderful to see you, Mrs. Anne,” he said, leaning forward to kiss both her cheeks.

“Oh, Edward!” She ruffled his hair and smiled up at him.

“I’m sorry about your father,” she added sadly.

“There now, Mrs. Anne, I’m alright,” he tried to reassure the chubby woman, whose sadness was evident.

Turning to the household staff, he thanked them for maintaining the estate and promised to address any needs they might have. They expressed their appreciation and dispersed to their duties, leaving Edward and Mrs. Anne alone in the foyer.

“Is there anything you need, dear?” She asked, her tone maternal. “I could have dinner sent to your room.”

He smiled kindly. “That would be nice, Mrs. Anne. Thank you.”

“Now you should rest, Edward,” she said firmly.

He waved her off with a gesture. “There’s no need to fuss over me, Mrs. Anne. I’ll head to my father’s study now.”

Smiling, she left, and Edward made his way upstairs to his father’s study. Everything was in its place and carefully arranged. The study, with its large mahogany desk and elegant decor, was as Edward remembered. He sat at the desk and let his thoughts wander to his father’s letter of apology.

He was sorry? Edward scoffed. Sorry after twenty-four years. Well, the joke was clearly on him. Rising from the chair, he approached the wine cabinet. Uncorking the brandy, he poured a generous amount into a clean glass and took a long sip. Swirling the liquid, he knew it would be a long night.

Alright, guys, there goes chapter two. Do tell me your thoughts. I await them. Don’t forget to vote and comment 😘. Poor Edward. But don’t worry, it all gets better and better as the story goes on.