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Chapter 4 - The visit

Joana

I had a wonderful night. I never imagined that mattresses from the late 16th century could be so cozy and soft, but it took a few adjustments to get them close to ideal. But what matters at the moment is not the mattress, but the refined, full-bodied features of the Duke of Barcelona's face, which remained in my mind for several hours before I fell asleep.

How could someone create such a fascination in my mind as to take away my sleep? Just like me, who had always thought that being attracted to someone was a mere momentary daydream? The fact is that Fernando Casanova managed to break through that barrier. But I'm not in love, it's just an enchantment.

While I was lost in memories of that elegant man from the night before, someone knocked on the door.

"Miss Isabela?"

"Come in." I let her in and stretched.

The maid opened the door, came in, took a few steps, and stopped next to me. Her voice was delicate, as were her youthful facial features.

"There's a nobleman here to see you, ma'am."

"Really?" Hearing the word nobleman made me dizzy, it wasn't possible that this man hadn't yet understood that our marriage was over. "I'd really like to get some more sleep..."

Before I could finish my sentence, she interrupted me:

"He is not the marquis." I widened my eyes, and the only reason I didn't jump off the mattress was because of my limitations, but damn.

"Who has come to visit me?"

"It's Your Grace, the Duke..."

"What did you say?" The Duke in my house? Is it the same Duke I'm thinking of?

"It's Your Grace, Duke Fernando Casanova."

What does he still want with me? Hadn't he already helped me deal with my tormentor from the Orleans family? These were deep questions that left me lost in my mind. I never imagined that I would see him again. But wait a minute! Was he trying to sort something out with my father? Of course, he wouldn't waste time visiting me.

"The Duke of Barcelona..."

"Yes, ma'am, what should I do?"

"Okay." I finally put my feather-light mind back in place and replied. "Ask him to wait for me in the living room, also ask someone to help me dress properly. See you soon."

The woman nodded and left my room. Soon, another maid appeared through the same door and began to help me. Little by little, my maid prepared me to receive him, nothing too much, as it was just a visit.

She guided me in my wheelchair to the living room, and needless to say, my mind was far away.

"I just need to thank you for helping me break off my engagement with the marquis." I thought with my eyes closed, knowing that I would soon be face-to-face with him.

"My God, has Miss Bourbon lost her sight too?" I heard the deep voice that still lingered in my ears.

"What?"

"I can't see your beautiful eyes, my dear lady."

I can't believe I came into the room with my eyes closed. Shame on me, where can I put my face? I felt my heart racing, maybe it would be better to keep my eyes closed and not face him.

"Welcome, Duke!" I greeted him with just my voice, but without moving my eyelids, I couldn't force them open. My desire to remain without seeing him spoke louder. "What brings Your Grace to my residence?"

"Miss Bourbon... I'm glad to see you got home safely last night." I felt the subtle touch of that man, much older than me, on my right hand.

"Yes, thanks to you, Mr. Casanova."

"Please, no formalities, I'm very different from the other nobles. Now, answer me, aren't you feeling well? You look pale. It must be the blindness."

What an abusive man! Doesn't he realize that I'm not blind? I'm just ashamed that I didn't open my eyes before. I confess that his charm charmed me, but I also feel provoked just knowing that he's looking at me and mocking me.

"I haven't lost my sight, Mr. Fernando Casanova." I retorted and opened my eyes, a little surprised at the way he was dressed, where was all that elegance from the day before? "It's a very bright day today, so much glare bothers me a bit."

"I can imagine that I want to apologize for my arrogance." He gently took my right hand and kissed it.

I nodded and forced an embarrassed smile when he pulled away from me, then asked my maid to leave us alone.

"I never thought I'd see you again so soon."

"I'm honored to see you again, Isabela." He smiled as he looked me straight in the eye and then suddenly turned his focus away from me and continued to clean his blue silk jacket. Fernando took a few steps away and then approached me, holding a bouquet of red roses. "I really wanted to see you as soon as possible."

If he had known that in a few centuries' time everything would be more practical, perhaps, that archaic mind would have been scared by technology. Where everything came down to a simple online text message.

He held out his hands and handed me the bouquet.

"Oh, Duke, you didn't have to give me roses." It was a lovely gift, if it was for Valentine's Day. "I'm sure you made a mistake with that present, why did you give me these roses?"

"Please accept them. This reflects my wish to ask your forgiveness for my unusual visit. I know that many women would love to receive my visit, so please feel honored."

What is this man thinking? He comes to my house like a true gentleman, brings me flowers, and then tells me that other women would love to see him. And I'm supposed to feel honored by his visit? I'm serious. He's lucky I managed to control myself, but I wanted to rub that bouquet in his face.

"My parents aren't at home, a carriage took them to a baron's house before dawn."

"I see, it must be an important appointment for them." Without blinking, the duke grimaced at me as he looked at my legs. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for him, my dress wasn't that short, and my legs were safe from that perverted gaze. I cleared my throat. "But I'm here to finish yesterday's business. Just the two of us."

"So... why did Your Grace the Duke come all this way and come here?"

"I'm here for a few days, but maybe in three days I'll return to Barcelona."

"I see... but what brings you here?"

"You're a very curious woman."

"Of course I am!"

"I'll be straightforward, because I have an appointment for later." He put his hand in his pocket, took out a watch, and, after checking the time, looked at me. "I can't talk about this in too much detail, and I realized that we have certain things in common."

"Meeting?"

My stupid question caused a slight blush on my cheeks and a daring smile on his face, but what the hell.

"I have to clarify that I have no feelings for her, again."

I arched my right eyebrow slightly, making my curiosity evident. Of course, someone like him would already have an anchor attached to him.

"Wow, well done. Good luck with her."

Without looking directly at him, I don't know what motivated me not to want to see him anymore. I tried to turn the wheelchair around and leave him, but the Duke was quicker and stopped in front of me.

"I mean, a business partner, of course..."

"Okay, then..., I'll keep wishing you good luck. Now, could you get out of the way? You're in my way." I took a deep breath, waiting for Fernando to clear the way. Does he think I'm too young to be tricked like this? A business partner?

"To begin with... I think you're jealous of me." His affronted smile left me without a reaction. Should I praise him or ask him to shove my jealousy up his ass?

"Jealous is too heavy a word, I'm indisposed. I woke up like this, dear duke."

"Here's what we'll do to end your indisposition: I'll stop teasing you with my smile, and, in return, you'll visit me at my house, which isn't far from here, to discuss the contract. Can you write a contract, Isabela?"

What on earth was that cocky man saying?

"If you stop smiling, that's enough. But a contract for what?"

"Our wedding."

"What?"

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