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1202 Words
"Good morning," Dominic stated as Jacqueline sauntered into the room, head bent down she coldly ignored him and began sipping the broth in front of her.
It was slightly soothing to her sore throat. She had caught a slight chill and had been ordered by Dominic on pain of a beating to only drink hot things. She was an invalid to him.
The room ticked silently, the large windows were open and the breeze more a storm but Dominic too irritated to close the damned windows. The room smelt of oak, Dominic's scent especially since he had just finished riding and had bathed.
He had been riding since morning, every day for the past two years he had ordered from the horse master whom he had never met to have a horse saddled, every morning.
The servant had complied with a simple note to the master it would be prepared every morning with a flask of lemonade and a gun in case of emergency.
He would ride through his lands and return to have breakfast prepared in his dining room. He wouldn't change because of her. The butler bowed towards the countess, and doing her husband's job pulled the chair out for her. Smiling lightly she sat down in the plush seats.
Dominic's home had been adorned with some royal colours; the morning dining room had been decorated in light colours, greens and blues. White large curtains had been drawn by the servants this morning and the serving staff had made sure the room fitted with the plates.
They wouldn't want to set off the earl’s ire.
Jacqueline took the food offered and ate slowly. “How are you?" She looked at him his knuckles white clenched tightly as he read his paper his blond hair sticking up slightly above it since his face was still visible. His eyebrows anyway, but she could see they were not relaxed.
Jacqueline ignored his question feeling there was some hidden demeanour behind it and stated her message loud and clear. "I am going out today my lord and there’s nothing you can do to stop me I am bored of being an invalid."
Jacqueline was quiet, touching the flow of her lilac dress, her favourite shade she had not thanked the maids that brought them instead wore the dress and was now glaring at her husband. "You will not go out" He said tightly. "You’re not well and even if you were I don't think you deserve that right."
She laughed inwardly. Of course not husband dearest. Your wish husband dearest. Dominic's glared held that want of obedience but she wouldn't falter. "Dominic I am going out and a horse has been saddled for me I will be back by dinner."
Dominic glared at her "You will not go out as your husband I forbid it"
She smirked; of course he would insert his husband authority here.
"Wipe that insolent smirk off your face."
She smirked more to annoy him, he then threw the newspaper onto the ground. Holding his head in his hands he started breathing deeply.
"I will not listen to you, my lord, you may drag me back but I'll just leave again," She got up and curtsied low "Have a good day sir."
She paused enjoying her husband’s silence, the cold glare he sent her way. "I certainly will," she continued.
She walked towards the long doors, the wind giving her a freeing feeling. Her body felt anew with the new feeling. She hadn't felt like this since she had been at home. Turning to walk off and he grabbed her by the wrist.
"Let go of me, my lord"
"No, until you promise not to go outside" He hissed.
She paused, their bodies close to one another. Nothing flared. No sensual ideas, no pain just her newest dictator holding onto her making her hurt. His hold was tight and she knew she would bruise however now she looked at her reddened wrists.
"Fin, I promise." she shrugged unaffected by her husband.
He scowled and looked at her shoving her off she curtsied and left the room. Jacqueline could see he clearly did not believe her and she was intent on messing with him a little...
The door knocked and with Dominic's command it quickly opened and shut gently. "My lord," He spun around his steward bowed low at his master's angry face "Your agenda for today, my lord,”
Dominic nodded and took the sheet leaving his breakfast uneaten. "Call the butler and get this cleaned up" The plate of food was untouched, the wind blowing softly into the room.
"Yes, my lord," The steward answered.
"I'll be in my study we'll leave for town at noon," Dominic concluded. Dismissing his steward with the flick of his hand the uniformed boy bowed.
"Yes, my lord,"
He remembered "Oh, and prepare my clothing I will ride when we visit my tenants,"
The young adult looked at the earl and unable to find fault in his appearance but too scared to ask said what he wanted to hear. "Yes, my lord,”
Dominic still clothed in his riding habit, earthy country colours: soothing greens, russets reds and browns. His boots maroon and polished to a high shine. The steward’s eyes flickered onto the belt which held a riding crop and sword. He gulped at the two weapons and returned to his master's face.
"Steward,” He paused trying to remember the boy's name. Clearly younger most likely in his early teens the earl he had an aura of loyalty but he couldn't be bothered to remember his name.
"Yes, my lord,"
"Where is my wife?" Dominic wondered out loud. He stroked his trimmed beard.
"I-I am unsure, your lordship," The steward who was actually called Joseph twisted a piece of string on his marriage finger, wanting to flee from this cold, strict looking lord however his master continued talking and he snapped to attention.
"Make sure someone is with her at all times today,"
The steward faltered this was clearly not his job "I-I have no hold of the staff, my lord, but I may I ask Mr-"
Dominic had enough. All hours, lack of sleep, lack of anything but the riches he had been brought up with. He was to do what he had done best.
The steward squirmed in discomfort as his master grabbed onto his collar. "I said you find someone to look after my wife I don't think anyone will disagree with your wish if it’s from the master of the household."
The steward nodded fervently his neck pulsing red, Dominic released him. "Now be gone,"
"Yes, my lord," He scurried out.
Dominic turned back to his mind; see Mrs Anthony, Mr Greenwich and the school he had built needed some repairs.
Striding into his study he sat down with a groan, this was boring! He was eighteen.
He was young, athletic and intelligent!
He was supposed to be at court flirting, dancing, having s*x with any woman that caught his eye, instead he slumped into analysing the data sheets.
Coughing he flicked the book open.
- Writer
