The Divorced Duchess

ROBERT
(unedited)

I looked out the window and watched as the city lights slowly faded. In their place, tall trees flashed past us as we drove down the silent road. We were only thirty minutes from the Big Apple, but everything seemed more serene in this part of town. Even at this early hour, the city would be buzzing with noise, but here, everything was quiet—I hated the quiet. I hated everything about this place. It was where I had lost Eleanor. I vowed never to come back here again. Why was I here, then? I should have been home with my wife, telling her how my trip went and how I found a doctor who could help us, yet I found myself miles away from our home. All because of the nagging suspicion that hadn't left since my encounter with Eleanor and that little girl. While she tried to feign a confident face, the look in her eyes told me a different story that day.

I saw the hesitation in Eleanor's eyes as she stared back and forth between that little girl and me. I did not care that she had confidently assured Ethan was that child's father because the girl's baby blue eyes and dark hair told a different story. I could not put the thought to rest until I knew for sure. And there was only one other person who knew the truth.

"We are here, sir," my driver, Dominic, stated. The car had stopped in front of a tall gate. "Shall I press the button?"

I looked at the intercom Dominic was referring to. Of course, they had such things.

"Yes, press it," I replied with some annoyance.

Dominic rolled down the window and reached over to press the button. The loud doorbell rang like church bells at noon. If the mansion's occupants hadn't been awake before, the doorbell surely would do the trick.

"Name, please?" A groggy male voice said through the intercom.

"Robert Davis," I answered from the backseat.

It took a few seconds before we heard a buzz, and large gates opened. Dominic followed the gravel road that arched around a tall fountain. He parked the car in front of the stone stairs.

"Would you like me to accompany you inside, sir?"

I shook my head. "I should not be long."

I stepped out of the car and walked up the stone stairs. The butler opened the door before I could even knock. He looked half-awake, but his uniform was nice and tidy.

"How can we help you, Mr. Davis?" The butler asked with a hint of annoyance. It was clear my early arrival had disturbed his sleep.

"I am here to see Lady Katie," I replied. "Could you please tell her it is urgent?"

"Lady Katie and Master Fredrick are still sleeping. I can't possibly interrupt their slumber at this early hour," the butler responded firmly. "Could you please return at a more appropriate hour?"

The butler was about to close the door, but I reached my hand out and stopped him. The matter could not wait for a more appropriate time.

"Tell her it has to do with Eleanor," I urged.

With only the mention of Eleanor's name, the butler's annoyance had vanished, and a sense of urgency replaced it.

"You should have told me the news involved Duchess Eleanor," the butler said as he allowed me inside. Duchess Eleanor? Had Eleanor married that bastard after all? "I will let Lady Katie know you are here."

The butler scurried up the stairs, leaving me alone in the foyer. It took a few minutes before the woman I wanted to see appeared, dressed in a long, satin gown and matching black robe. Next to her was my best friend, Fred. They both looked half-awake.