Designs on the Duke (Suddenly a Duke Book 4) by Alexa Aston

Author:Alexa Aston [Aston, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-06-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Abby discovered that she actually enjoyed picking out styles and fabrics for the new gowns which Madame Aubert would make up for her. She had never had much of an interest in fashion, but she liked the designs that the modiste showed her and even took pencil to paper, sketching out an idea or two that she had. Madame was eager to use the designs Abby had created. She was to return to the shop in a week’s time, along with the Duchess of Bradford, for their first fittings.

In the carriage, the duchess said, “Thank you again, my dear, for allowing me to accompany you to your appointment. It was almost like having a daughter.”

The duchess’ eyes misted and once again, Abby thought how cruel this woman’s husband had been to her, banishing her from her marriage and Polite Society, leaving her to raise her children on her own.

“Are you excited about attending your first Season?” the duchess asked. “Oh, I still think of my own come-out Season so long ago. The wonderful parties and balls. The handsome, attentive gentlemen.” Then her mouth grew hard. “Unfortunately, it ended badly for me.”

“Your marriage may not have been a success, Your Grace, but you did gain two wonderful boys from the union.”

“That is absolutely true, Miss Trent. I am so happy to have Elijah home. I only wish Gil would have accompanied him.” She paused. “Although I do believe Elijah makes for a better duke than my other son would have.”

Her curiosity piqued, Abby asked, “Why do you say that?”

“Ah, Gil was such an easy child to love, perhaps because he resembled me so much. He was always laughing about something and never took life too seriously. I do not believe I have ever met a more carefree spirit than Gil. Elijah, on the other hand, was a quiet child. Always observing silently all that happened about him. Reflecting on what he saw. While both my sons were intelligent, Elijah had a much stronger sense of duty than his brother. I am not speaking of being in the army and loyalty toward king and crown. Gil could be a bit thoughtless and rarely considered others’ feelings, while Elijah always knew what his responsibilities entailed. He tried to make life as easy as he could for me—and that was no simple task.”

That little boy certainly sounded like the duke of today to Abby.

The duchess turned her gaze out the window as she continued to speak. “Bradford abandoned our marriage. I may have possessed the title of Duchess of Bradford upon my marriage, but when he sent me away, it was not to the house upon his estate. I lived in a one-room cottage on the property. That is where I raised my boys, Miss Trent. It was oftentimes hard to make ends meet, and I took in sewing. It was the only skill I had that would support us as a family. Growing up, Elijah and Gil did odd jobs in the village for others.

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