FULL NOVELXO The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): Chapter 60
Presley Estate, Wesbury
I pull the car to a gentle stop, just a few yards from the breathtaking Chateau. It stands tall and regal, its beauty drawing a breath from my lips. Beside me, Daphne’s eyes shine with the same admiration, her excitement palpable.
‘So this is it,’ I say to Daphne, my voice filled with a mix of awe and familiarity as I gaze at the grand building. ‘The home of Duke and Aisling.’
Daphne’s eyes light up with admiration. ‘This place is super gorgeous,’ she gushes.
I nod, unable to disagree. ‘It is.’
Her excitement is infectious. ‘Let’s go inside. I’m dying to see the whole place. Maybe we can take a tour?’
I pause, hesitating. The idea feels invasive, like peering through someone’s diary. “I don’t think it’s right, Daph. Duke and Aisling aren’t here.”
Daphne scoffs, waving her hand dismissively.
‘Why not?’
‘We just can’t,’
‘Why can’t we?’ She presses, not understanding the boundary I’m trying to uphold.
‘They’re not here,’ I admit, the disappointment clear in my voice.
Daphne’s not one to give up. ‘We could ask the housekeeper to show us around. It’s only a tour. I’m sure Aisling wouldn’t mind, especially since you’re here.’
I picture how I’d feel if someone wandered through my home in my absence. ‘They’re people, Daph. With lives and privacy.” The house, grand as it is, represents more than just bricks and art. It’s their sanctuary. I wouldn’t want strangers poking around my space, even if it wasn’t half as majestic.
She looks at me, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Just a peek? I just really wanted to peek inside the Chateau.’
‘We’ll do it another time,’ I suggest gently, hoping to visit when Aisling is around. “How about we come back another time? Maybe when they’re here?”
“Do you know when Aisling will be back?” Daphne asks, her voice tinged with genuine concern.
I sigh, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I wish I did.”
‘And Duke?’ she inquires.
‘He’s in Rich Oaks,’ I inform her.
Daphne lets out a heartfelt sigh. ‘I really hope they get their baby.’ Her words echo my own silent prayers for Duke and Aisling.
‘Me too,’ I admit, my brow furrowing with concern. ‘I can’t shake off this feeling that he’s with that girl just to have a baby.’
‘You think so too?’ Daphne asks, her voice tinged with surprise.
‘Yeah. It feels like he’s trying to have a baby with her,’ I confess, the unease growing inside me.
‘I’ve had the same hunch,’ she says, mirroring my worries.
I can’t hold back my thoughts any longer. ‘And his mom’s in on it. I wouldn’t be surprised if they set him up with her for that very reason.’
‘You mentioned that before,’ Daphne recalls.
‘It’s true. We can’t let this go any further. They shouldn’t even get to that point,’ I say, with a sense of urgency in my voice.
‘But Aisling knows about her now,’ Daphne points out.
‘How sure are we that he’s not still seeing her?’ I ponder aloud, the suspicion gnawing at me.
‘I need to dig deeper,’ I say, determination setting in.
In a hushed tone, I share my fears. ‘He’s planning to move her out of Knoxville, maybe even buy her a house in another town. It’s like he’s trying to hide her from everyone.’
‘That makes sense, especially now that Aisling knows about her,’ Daphne nods.
‘We need to stay on top of this, and find out what’s really going on,’ I insist.
Daphne’s eyes widen, struck by a sudden thought. ‘What if he’s moving her because she’s pregnant with his child and he doesn’t want anyone finding out?’
My heart sinks at the possibility. ‘Oh, my God. There could be so many reasons.’
‘What should we do?’ Daphne asks, her voice laced with worry.
‘We need to get closer to Simone too. We have to find a way to befriend her,’ I suggest, already plotting our next move in this tangled web. The thought of Duke possibly fathering a child with another woman and the secrets that might be lurking in the shadows sends a chill down my spine. We have to uncover the truth, and stop them, for Aisling’s sake.