Chapter 6 The Libertine Duke
Fernando
After a few exhausting minutes talking to that idiot, it was more than enough for me to recognize that this woman would be the perfect complement to my goals. She certainly wouldn't get me into trouble. Either Isabela was too naive to believe me so openly, or she had never heard the rumors about me.
"You want me to pretend to be your fiancé? Are all your claims in that document?" My questions were objective, as was my look at her reactions.
"Yes, Your Grace, for three months, that's my only condition."
"Why such a short time? Your ex-fiancé might bother you after that." I hate to hear the treatments this woman uses, but I must admit that her beauty makes up for it.
"I don't want to bother you anymore, your life must be hectic. I imagine what the life of a duke must be like, not just anyone, but the Duke of Barcelona."
"You have to be persistent. But nowadays, being a duke isn't as important as it was in the past."
For a moment, she looked away. I know I'm a charming man, she certainly fell for me, but her apprehensive attitude gave her away. They are all foolish women who sell themselves to the first man who acts outside the imaginary lines that society considers correct. Just like all the other women I've always deceived, Miss Bourbon will be another prize.
"I agree with you, persistence shapes what we think is right or wrong." As she looked directly at me, as if to reveal my inner self, I tapped the sole of my shoe on the floor. All I wanted to find out was how Isabela knew so much about the king. Even though she tried to stand her ground, I knew that my false chivalry was already probing the depths of that young woman's mind, it was only a matter of time before she gave in to me.
"I heard a rumor that Jaime of Orleans was trying to kill you." Sometimes a lie turns the game in your favor. "So I want a convincing justification for breaking off your engagement with him as soon as possible."
"Does my nobleman have proof of this rumor?" She widened her eyes in surprise at my revelation, and I loved the sense of dread that spread across her beautiful face.
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe me, but I want you to be safe."
"Jaime is a deceiver, but would he have the guts to commit a crime?" His voice intensified.
"Never doubt human capacity, my sweet Miss Bourbon." Isabela was a temptation, and even though I knew she would be used by me in my plans, I didn't rule out the possibility of possessing her in my bed.
"All right. But I sense that you're anxious about something, what would Your Grace like to hear?"
"We can start with a moan, can you moan?"
"What?" she stammered and instinctively looked away. I confess that teasing Isabela was creating an even greater desire in my mind.
"Excuse me, Miss Bourbon, I let my thought slip out of my mouth."
"Please, sir, concentrate on the contract." She looked at me out of the corner of her eye, and her hands clenched the fabric over her legs.
"Of course, miss, so you demand that I don't question your source about the king's information?" How bold and clever.
"I can't do that. The source of my information is already dead, and I want to preserve his last request, which was never to reveal his identity."
"All right, even so, the information you possess is extremely valuable. There are many who would pay any price to obtain it."
"I can imagine..."
"I agree to your terms in the contract, including the last line that says..."
"Your Grace will probably never see me again after this period is over." She interrupted me and read the last sentence.
"Never again?"
"What could you possibly want with a woman who can't get around? I'll be your shame. I will fully understand your subsequent decision to abandon me." Isabela lowered her head, her sadness at being in a wheelchair as clear as sunlight.
"You don't know what might happen in the future, forget what hasn't happened yet." I said with regret in my voice, It's not because I'm going to use her that I want a woman whining about life's problems by my side, I'll try to make her feel good as long as the farce lasts. "In return, as long as this marriage continues, you will play your role as my fiancée and wife whenever I need you to."
"What do you mean?" I finally saw his gaze flicker again.
"Ah, you'll see soon enough." I smiled as I imagined Isabela in my bed, asking me to stop. I hope she understood my debauchery.
"Oh, didn't I put restrictions on affection in the contract?"
"No. And even if the Miss did, that wouldn't stop me from possessing her. So that's it, Miss. Bourbon, we're settled, I'll send a letter to your parents, and in three days, get ready, we're going to live in Montjuic Castle in Barcelona."
She nodded with a certain exaggerated happiness when she heard the name of my castle. What a controversial woman! I'd like to die for having made a contract with her.
~
After Isabela got into the carriage that would take her back to her house, he came into my living room with that annoying smile on his face.
"I never thought that a high-ranking family like the Bourbons would fall into our hands."
"What do you want, Filipe?" I took out the marriage contract and put it in the drawer.
"Where are your manners towards your younger brother?"
"I wouldn't have had to go through all this if it hadn't been for you."
"Don't disturb the sleep of those who are sleeping, because there's a chance you won't have time to regret it."
"I don't want to hear your threats."
Filipe Casanova was twenty-two years old, and he is my wound, in this case, he was my younger brother. Unlike me, he hadn't inherited our parents' beauty; I saw him as unfortunate in every way. Filipe hadn't even slept with a woman on his own merit; the ones he had managed to get into bed with were nothing more than prostitutes.
"Did you get any more information from her?" He asked, his voice slow, like his thoughts.
"No, I have to take it easy, we can't scare her."
"You're too calm, don't forget we don't have much time on our hands."
"Don't worry, I'll soon get what we're looking for." I took a deep breath. If there was an unwelcome presence, it was my brother's, his aura was charged with negative energy.
"I hope so, Fernando. But tell me, who will be in charge of staying with the legless woman on a daily basis from now on?"
I slapped the table hard with my two closed hands, causing Filipe to open his deep-set eyes wide.
"Raul Torres!"
"This man is a barbarian who defected from the Holy Roman Empire, can he be trusted?"
"Between him and you, who do you think I trust more?"
"I love your impudence, Your Grace."
I got up and went over to where my brother was standing. I stood next to him and began to adjust the collar of his blouse, controlling my anger. Likewise, I wanted to give him a nice black eye.
"If you dare mention again that Isabela has no legs, I'll make you regret it bitterly, understand?" I quickly dispelled his smile.
"Is my brother defending our victim?" Filipe felt trapped by my gaze and took a few steps back.
"Victim or not, that doesn't give us the right to laugh at Miss Bourbon, least of all because she's in a wheelchair."
"I see. Your libertine side really comes out when it comes to women, don't be vain, my brother. This is heresy against our customs. The rumors are true."
"Now you can go, I hope not to see you for a long time."
Without question, Filipe greeted me and left my office.
~
A few days passed, and finally the beautiful Bourbon arrived at my castle. From my living room window, I watched intently as my team circulated around the main courtyard, helping my bride-to-be down from the carriage. My maid Maria had brought the weekly newspaper, the news of which had a direct impact on Isabela. She was being accused of extorting the Marquis of Madrid, a married man, into marrying her. After this scandalous news, the Bourbons were in serious financial trouble.
Finally, she appeared before me, accompanied by the big man, Raul.
"My dear duke, why does this terrible man keep hounding me all the time? He doesn't even give me room to breathe."
"My sweet Miss Bourbon has arrived and is already protesting about Raul."
"So, does he have a name? I don't want another shadow, I already have mine, Your Grace."
"Raul will serve you daily, he's a good man. Give him some time, and you'll understand me. You're a candidate for marriage in the House of Casanova, I have a duty to protect you."
"Is that really necessary, my lord?" Isabela asked me, beautiful as ever, with that positive aura that only she had.
I approached her and whispered:
"Act like a real bride, I'm the Duke, your groom, not your lord."
"Forgive me, my beloved." Isabela's voice was simple, with a delicate timbre, just like the features of that young face.
"It is God who forgives, my beloved." I took her by the chin and drew her attention to me. What an intense and determined look that woman had! Her lips remained ajar, and I controlled myself not to kiss her. "How beautiful do you look every time I see you? It's incredible, I feel as if I'm enchanted when I see you."
It would be hard for Isabela to resist me, she shuddered as I approached. Her eyes were wide with excitement, and that gave her away. I felt the hot, panting breath escape from Isabela's mouth on my neck.
"Fernando Casanova, would you like to kiss me?"
Her small, mysterious eyes captivated me.
"Kissing is heresy, but I want much more than a kiss from you, miss."
"I don't care what these people think is heresy, where I come from, the more dangerous, the more attractive, my lord, let's just say I'm a woman far ahead of the rest. I ask you not to reveal this particularity to anyone."
"I understand... but why would I reveal your lovely way of showing your intimacy if I think the same way you do?" That conversation was like music to my ears. "Your words are so bold that hearing them so close to my ear, I confess, makes my heart soar. What is this intense feeling I have for you, Isabela?"
"So the Duke is attracted to me? I understand what Your Grace is saying, I feel the same way about you."
She continued to whisper, her voice seeping into my hearing, destroying what little modesty I had left.
"I'll ask Maria to prepare your bath right now, it's been a long journey, and I think my beloved bride is tired. As soon as you're ready, I'll pay you a visit to claim what's mine. I beg you not to be fooled by my seductive ways, I'll be your private villain and give you pleasure with a little pain."
I turned away from her with my usual smile, leaving her lost in her reveries. Sometimes I know I'm incomprehensible. Furthermore, I finally felt lighter, being around Isabela is like jumping into the crater of a volcano. She doesn't fool me, I know that underneath that angelic smile there's a woman as depraved as I am.
My heart beat like the rhythmic steps of wild horses galloping across vast fields, not out of passion, but out of the desire to possess her.
When Isabela is ready, I'll show her how wanton I am. Soon she will know that all the rumors about the libertine duke are not fairy tales.