The Fateful Ride - Chapter 2 (standard:romance, 814 words) [2/4] show all parts
Author: Tiffany Fontana	Added: Apr 06 2008	Views/Reads: 2505/0	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
All seems well for the Duc and his Lady but will they be allowed to live in bliss or will historical events overtake them?

The Fateful Ride -Chapter 2 

Lady Baker and the Duc du Beethell sat hand in hand in her secret
garden.  Since she had opened her garden to others, her flowers had 
bloomed regularly and she was satisfied that she had made the right 
decision.  It was not a woman's work, she felt and Nobby, her head 
gardener had done wonders with his deep digging, plunging his spade 
into the fertile ground over and over until it yielded beautiful 
blooms. 

Overhead, the birds fluttered and sang and a drowsy bee bumbled onto the
heather. 

‘Look, said the Duc, ‘the first bee of the year!  I must paint it and
send the picture to the Daily Sentinel.' 

Without thinking, for the afternoon sun had made her sleepy, Lady Baker
relied, ‘No dear, we have been seeing bees in the garden for weeks now. 
 It's just happened that you've never been here at the time.' 

Enraged, the Duc stood suddenly and strode across the garden, his
handsome face dark and glowering.  Lady Baker sighed.  He was a hard 
man and hated to be contradicted.  Resignedly, she got to her feet and 
followed her lover to the garden gate.  She laid a hand on his arm and 
said in an effort to placate him, ‘You're right, of course.  How silly 
of me.  They weren't bees at all, they were flies.  I see the 
difference now; bees have those yellow stripes, don't they?' 

The Duc brightened instantly, turning swiftly and placing a kiss on her
upturned face.  ‘You funny little thing' he said happily, ‘of course 
they were flies.  How like a woman not to be able to tell the 
difference.  You are sweet and foolish.  I have an idea, let's go 
shopping in Merkintown, I will buy you some pretty ribbons for your 
hair.' 

‘How wonderful!' cried Lady Baker.  ‘You call up the phaeton and I'll
get my trolley.' 

The Duc smiled indulgently.  That wheeled basket contraption of hers was
dear to her heart and had become dear to his also.  When he saw it in a 
shop or at the market, he knew she must be nearby and the mere sight of 
it now was enough to cause a stirring in his loins. 

Within minutes, the pair was bowling happily along the road to
Merkintown, Lady Baker's trolley wobbling precariously in the back of 
the carriage.  As they neared the town, the Duc sensed something was 
wrong.  The streets were normally bustling with activity for Merkintown 
was a gay place, full of enticing shops and cheerful taverns.  
Normally, it would be hard to wend one's way through the happy, 
laughing crowds in their bright, colourful clothes.  Merkintown was 
famed for its welcome but today no pretty maidens called a greeting to 
the couple on the cart, no ruddy-faced farmer tipped his cap 
respectfully to the haughty lady at his side.  The streets were 
deserted and many of the windows shuttered and doors barred. 

The Duc stopped the carriage and got down slowly.  He raised his hand to
help Lady Baker and as he did so, a distant scream reached his ears. 

‘Wait here', he ordered tersely, thrusting Lady Baker roughly against
the wall.  He vanished down the street and Lady Baker stood stock 
still, her bosom heaving with fear.  What was going on? 

When he reappeared a few moments later, the Duc's face was tense and
set. 

‘You need to leave.  Now.' He commanded brusquely.  ‘There's no time to
lose.  The carriage will be too slow, catch the train and when you get 
home, I want you to send a telegram.' 

‘To whom?' cried Lady Baker, fear gripping her heart. 

The Duc would not look at her.  He stared down the empty street and then
said grimly, ‘De Lounge.' 

‘De Lounge!'  Lady Baker was appalled.  That fiend, he had stolen her
virtue and now she was to send for him! 

The Duc grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly. 

‘Listen to me woman!' he cried, impassioned.  ‘This thing is bigger than
both of us.  We are facing an enemy the likes of which Merkintown has 
never seen.   I hate De Lounge for what he did to you, but curse him, 
he is the best sword in the country and I need his mighty weapon now, 
more than ever.  I know how fiercely he can wield it.  We stood side by 
side at Agincourt, it was he and I together who first crossed the 
Maginot line, his bravery at Balaclava is legend.  I need him, curse 
his soul.  And Merkintown needs him.' 

‘Who is this enemy?' cried Lady Baker.  ‘Who threatens our peaceful
existence in this way?' 

The Duc was silent.  Faintly, for the breeze was now blowing in their
direction, they could hear the screaming of ravaged women and the 
yelping of violated dogs. 

When he spoke, there was dread in his voice. 

‘French pirates.' 


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