My Lady Chef

Ely's POV:

"Milady, a letter arrived for the duke," Milford announced to me while I was taking tea in the main drawing-room.

He usually takes all missives or letters to my husband but he is giving this to me?

But then I saw the elegant scrolling script and a strong smell of roses emanating from it. The name made my grip my teacup hard.

This is a letter from Lady Margaret Lorax...to my husband.

I am tempted...God, I want to rip the letter to shreds and just storm into that bitch's house and slap her.

But....that would mean being selfish.

Just when my husband and I promised to try and be a good wife.

"Thank you for bringing me this Milford." I finished my drink and stood up. "I appreciate your trust in me."

The butler could have gone straight to my husband about this but as the mistress of the house; he and I have grown close that he has started to trust me.

"My pleasure, Your Grace." he smiled as I left to go to my husband's study where he was working.

My heart suddenly ached as I walked closer to his study. I remembered how I first met Lady Lorax and did not find her pleasant at all. But...she is my husband's lover.

It has slipped my mind whether they are still an item or if I was not supposed to find out.

I stopped halfway and wondered.

"Will...he be bothered by this?" I wondered out loud and pivoted back to find the head butler. "Maybe Milford should give this to- Oofff!"

My face smooshed against a hard wall...that felt warm. I looked up and blushed when I felt two strong arms steady me just as I was regaining my balance. "Milord...Oh, I am so sorry, I was not watching where I was going." I rubbed my nose when he noticed the crumpled letter run my hands. "Ah. This is for you, Your Grace." "Mine?" he frowned as I handed him the letter and his eyes sharpened when he saw the name. His gaze went to me intensely and I wondered if I did something wrong. "I should get going now." I gracefully bowed and left him so that he may read that damn letter in peace.

"Wife. You are aware of who wrote this, right?"

I stood still and sighed at the sudden tenseness between us.

"Yes, Milord."

"I see. Do you trust me then?"

"I believe you will do the right thing," I answered as I continued to walk.

Somehow, I heard his door close but the soft click of the lock sounded abnormally loud in my ears.

"Talk about bad timing..." I muttered to myself when I saw Mrs. Yates with two maids.

She was instructing them on how to clean the windows, her voice was sharp and strict but then she saw me.

Her pinched face still stayed the same. She bowed in deference to me and ordered the new maids to follow her.

Well, at least...she knows her place. As long as she does her job. I have no complaints.

I made my way to the culinary house and had Linda help me prepare a few ingredients to replenish our stocks of broth cubes, iced teas, and a few homemade sauces like mayonnaise, ketchup, and some herb dressings to keep my mind off of things.

But no matter how hard I try. I can't seem to shake this dull throbbing inside me.

"Linda?"

My personal maid looked at me and smiled.

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"Please be honest with me. Is Lady Lorax still bent on pursuing my husband? Do not even bother lying to spare my feelings because I have an idea of what it is." I went straight to the point. "Just tell me what you know."

I saw conflict in my maid's expression. We have been through so much together that she and I have come to care for one another... Which makes my question all the more brutal for her since she hates making me feel sad.

"..... Yes. The Lady Lorax has been known to be the Belle of the ton. She is the current reigning beauty who leads the Illiosan social circles and is well known for her fiery beauty, impeccable manners, and etiquette plus she was recently widowed after her husband died last year. She then began telling any female who listens to her that she will become Duke Ezran's wife." My maid glanced at me before continuing. "Imagine her position now that another lady married the duke she has been coveting. I am sure this is why she is getting desperate."

"So...were she and my husband lovers?"

"Yes. She was the last assignation His Grace had before he went off to quell the Barbaros forces. The relationship only lasted for a month before he got married to you." Linda said rather sadly. "Milady, I...I am sure the duke of not thinking of..."

"Of what?"

"N-nothing..."

Somehow hearing the reason behind Lady Lorax's possessiveness towards my husband made a bit of my hope die.

We quietly finished all prep work after that and I proceeded to go to my study to check the new expenditure papers that arrived this afternoon.

Better to drown myself in paperwork and think happy thoughts.

Linda was currently downstairs, preparing a crystal pitcher of cold fruit tea for me so I sat down and began looking through the expenses for the estate. Swallowing softly, I imagined the pretty redhead laughing as her well-manicured finger stroke my husband's naked arm as they shared a bed together. It made me want to throw up.

But I lost myself in my work, barely registering Linda's entrance and that she placed a tray beside me.

She seems to have retreated and I looked back and said thank you as the door closed.

The sun was already setting by the time I finished approving the permission slips for a few things. I took a sip of the iced tea and let the fruity sweetness calm my nerves. But then I remembered my husband's words as I laid back.

"Wife. You are aware of who wrote this, right?"

"Yes, Milord."

"I see. Do you trust me then?"

"You asked me before that we would try to make this work. Does that include trusting you even though I don't know anything about you, husband?"

I felt a bit betrayed right now as I refilled my glass and drank more tea.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐