THE COLONIES ~ 6 ~ THE NEW WORLD
Our ship arrived in the harbor in the early morning. After three months of traveling, I was relieved to finally plant my feet in the soil. I had spent weeks on end feigning illness and it had led to actual stomach-churning nausea. It was dreadful and even solid ground only did little to alleviate it.
On the other side of the ship, Alison exited discreetly with the crew members. Caleb appeared beside me without saying a word and led me toward the carriage that awaited us. He helped me into the buggy and then told the driver to head home.
"I expect you are feeling more at ease," he told her, "now that we have returned ashore."
"You can't possibly expect that," I protested. "I've been uprooted from my home and then I traversed raging waters to reach this wretched land. I believe I will be ill for quite some time."
Not another word escaped his lips until we arrived at a stark white colonial mansion. The footman took my hand and helped me step onto the gravel. Then I followed Caleb into the place I was now supposed to call my new home.
"There are my quarters," Caleb gestured toward a cavernous room on the first floor. "You are not to enter those doors. The rest of the house is yours as much as it is mine."
"How gracious," I said icily.
"Lady Hanna," he took my hand. "There is something we still need to discuss."
"I think we are done for today," I said firmly.
"No," he retorted. "I have let you get away with your foolish games and your stowaway confidant but now we are in my home and you will execute your duties as my wife."
"You know about Alison?" I asked.
"She's on a ship back to England as we speak," he told me.
"You can't!" I wailed. "She's the only person I have left."
"Now you only have me," he told her.
"How could you?!" my lip quivered.
"May I remind you," his voice bellowed. "We are in this marriage because your lineage has ended and you need a male heir. Your duty as my wife and as the future duchess of Kent, is to produce that heir. And believe me, it will be as much a struggle for you as it is for me."
"Your behavior is appalling," I spat at him. "You'll have me when Alison returns."
On that final note, I scampered up the steps in search of my own bedchamber. I entered the room where my trunks were stacked at the end of the bed. It was smaller than my bed chambers in England. And colder. But it was not deplorable either.
After a brief moment when I took in the reality of my newfound situation, there was a knock at the door. I stood up and opened the flimsy pine door to find Caleb with a tight grip around Alison's wrist.
"Your wish is granted," he practically hurled her into my bedroom. "I'll expect you in my bed chambers following dinner."
He turned on his heel and left the room leaving Alison and I shuddering in fear. The trouble we had gotten ourselves into back in Rosewood did not even compare with the wrath of Lord Caleb.
"He is vile," Alison said finally composing herself.
"He's also my husband," I sighed.
"Han," she took my hand, "we can figure something out. You don't have to do this."
"I do," I said. "I don't have to like it, but it's my duty to protect the House of Marin."
"You can't be serious," she breathed.
"I must go," I stood up and left the room.
I bolted down the steps and stood at the entrance to Caleb's secret chambers. I knocked loudly and waited for the sound of footsteps.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"Sir," I paused, "you are right. I have...we have a duty to our nation."
He took my hand and led me up the staircase to an empty bedroom. Then he closed the door and pressed me against the wall in a desperate attempt to remove my skirts, nearly tearing them to pieces.
"Careful," I retorted. "This is silk."
"I'll buy you another," he said as he silenced her with a kiss, "and many more if you offer me a son."
His comment produced a smile on my lips. Or maybe it was how his large hands tore my clothing to shreds. Either way I was seeing a side of Caleb that I was desperate to learn more about.
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