"Your Excellency, I don't mean to be imprudent, but I would advise you not to tarnish the honor of the flower of society. That young lady is not like the others; if it is rumored that you are seeing her, they will force you to marry her. You know very well that the Emperor and Empress have had their eye on her since her debut."
"My dear Fermin, it's nothing like you imagine. That intrusive young lady came to ask me to marry her." Fermin gasped in astonishment at my words; he didn't expect such an event either. "Can you believe it? Me, the man with the worst reputation among the ladies. I want you to prepare the best dowry there ever was, as well as my mother's ring, the former Empress. Not even the late Archduchess could wear that ring, and since it was a gift my mother gave me before she died, the Empress didn't have access to it either. It will be perfect for Lady Margaret. Have everything ready before nightfall; I have a dinner to attend and a father-in-law to convince."
"As you wish, Your Excellency, I will prepare the best dowry; I will send the coachman to get the carriages ready. Lady Margaret will be a perfect Archduchess." Fermin jumped out of happiness; I'm sure he'll make a whole caravan.
"I don't know what you're up to, Margaret, but you won't be able to escape me, especially now that I've tasted the sweetness of your lips. You will be my Archduchess, my wife, and anyone who dares touch you will die by my hand."
For her part, Margaret was making arrangements with the staff; she had all her maids in front of her, including the one who was part of her misfortune in her previous life.
"Vivian, Cloy and Adani will continue to be my maids, Lea, unfortunately I no longer require your services as one of my main maids. Here is your pay for your years of service. As you can understand, the mistake you made yesterday was too serious." The woman was clutching her hands in the skirt of her dress, although her face showed sadness. She knew her true colors very well. When I arrived at the duchy, I remembered a fatal mistake she made that day when she "accidentally" stained a dress that belonged to my late mother, rendering it unusable. In the past, I forgave her, but now I will use it as an excuse.
"But, miss, I need the job. My mother is very ill; the truth is, I need it. I will not tire of apologizing for my mistake." The advisable thing would be to keep her close, but I can't risk it; nor can I allow her to be hired by another noble house.
"The duchy is overflowing with staff; we don't need helpers in any area. Even in the laundry there are enough staff. You can retire. Guards, escort Miss Lea to the village." The woman was furious, but there was nothing she could do. If my suspicions are correct, Count Derby will be here first thing tomorrow morning to see me.
Once I dealt with that harpy, I went to see my father. He was in his study, immersed in documents. Although my father was ill years before my debut in society, in the last three years his health has declined considerably. Despite his condition, he has been able to continue fulfilling his duties as Duke perfectly, while I fulfill the duties of Duchess.
"Father, you don't know how much I've missed you," I threw myself into his arms, hugging him tightly. I would do anything to keep him alive.
"My little one, we saw each other last night at dinner. The butler reported to me that you went out to town on personal business. Do you have any ideas for improving our business?" And I told him to be discreet.
"Father, we have a dinner guest. It will be a discreet dinner; only the butler and my personal maids will attend.
"What's all the mystery about? I hope it's not a visit from that Earl I don't like. It's one thing for them to have been childhood playmates and quite another for him to say he's going to marry you without even making me a decent proposal."
"Don't worry about that. I wouldn't marry Earl Derby in a thousand lifetimes; you'll like this guest."
After the pleasant chat, both continued with their respective duties. Margaret gave the day off to almost all the employees of the duchy; only the most loyal remained. She could not allow it to leak out who the guest was.
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