Since it had been over a month since the Duke had sent a letter announcing his imminent return, Olivia had decided to make some alterations to the manor. Despite its beauty, she felt it lacked something, so she had replaced the entrance hall drapes and ordered more colorful furniture.
She was just finishing hanging the new curtains.
"How do they look? Do you think they're fine, or perhaps I should choose another color?"
"I see you've had quite a bit of fun in my absence, my little Duchess."
"What!!!"
Hearing the Duke's voice, Olivia was so startled that she lost her balance and fell from the ladder.
She shut her eyes tight, bracing for the impact, but, oddly, felt nothing. Upon opening her eyes, she realized the Duke had caught her before she hit the ground, now holding her in his arms.
It was the first time Olivia had been so close to him, and feeling his firm arms supporting her, his handsome face so near, blood rushed to her head, her vision blurred, and she ultimately fainted.
Well, it might also have been because of the cold from which she hadn't fully recovered. Yet, insisting on getting out of bed, she was tired of spending all day doing nothing.
After Olivia fainted in Leonard's arms, he carried her to her room, where upon touching her forehead, he realized she had a fever.
He immediately sent for the doctor.
"I'm sorry, my lord," Alfred apologized. "This is my fault; I shouldn't have allowed the Duchess to do something so perilous."
"Don't worry, Alfred, this isn't your fault."
"The Duchess had a cold and has been in bed for several days but she said she was feeling well and didn't want to spend more time doing nothing."
Leonard looked at Olivia and thought.
It seems my little Duchess is naughtier than I thought.
"By the way," Leonard asked, "what are those clothes she's wearing?"
"The Duchess had a designer called right after you left, and apparently she said she despised uncomfortable and bulky dresses and desired something different. So, Madame Margaret showed her designs, and the Duchess fell in love with them. Since she received the clothes, she hasn't worn any dress."
"Ha... It seems my wife likes to be quite the handful."
"Tell the maids to come and change her clothing."
"Yes, my lord."
The butler departed, leaving Leonard alone with Olivia. She looked very pale and sweaty from fever in that large bed, so fragile and small, it was the first time he felt an urge to care for someone.
The maids quickly came, cleaned her body, and dressed her in fresh clothing.
She was unconscious for the entire afternoon, and when the doctor came, he diagnosed a simple cold, recommending only rest.
After the doctor left, Leonard returned to his room to bathe.
When Olivia awoke, she found herself in her bedroom, now in a nightgown.
Attempting to rise for some water, she was so weak that her legs gave way, and she crumbled to the floor, injuring her knees and causing great pain.
After his bath, Leonard went to see how Olivia was faring. Approaching her door, he heard a loud thud from her room.
He hurried inside; Olivia was on the floor, apparently having attempted to stand but her legs had failed her.
Leonard approached to help her up.
Olivia didn't recognize the man who just entered the room until he stood before her.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Seeing the Duke, Olivia became so nervous it was hard to get the words out.
"I... I just..."
Upon seeing the cuts on her knees from the fall, the Duke lifted her into his arms and placed her gently on the bed.
Then he turned around and left the room, leaving her alone.
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Comments
eyzee
so far story development is good
2024-06-24
4
CountessZ
He'll come back to tend to her, right?
2024-02-20
2