Chapter 14

Dominic scowled as he sat on the couch. "Bring my papers," He snapped towards his steward, the child instantly nodded and bringing his masters papers handed him a pen.

The study was quiet, the wind hissing. Straitening his uniform Joseph looked around the room. There was no other smells something to comfort him the room just felt simply cold. His stomach grumbled and glancing at the lord he bent his head down.

His brown hair flicked in the wind, he had noticed the lord loved the wind everywhere there was some sort of wind. The day the carriage window, glass which Joseph had never seen. Each house he had visited he had somewhat had to be near wind, see wind when he looked out the window or he had to take tea outside.

But Joseph was cold. He hadn't seen his love in three whole days since he had got his job. One day for an introduction, one for training and today. Joseph was so tired, his first day with his new master, and he learnt so much and saw so many differences.  His clothes thick but not as thick as the furs now in closing the lord, but still better than everything he wanted.

It had been exhausting for Joseph, Dominic never spoke to him unless he wanted something or was barking an order. But Joseph too afraid to confront him and he certainly was not going to complain. The job offered him food, shelter and clothes courtesy of the lord and not many employers would do that.

When Joseph and many other young boys of the village heard about the new job, there had been a queue as long as roads in hope of being Lord Defleur new steward but now he had got the job. He wasn't happy but his family needed it no matter if he worked for the coldest bastard born.

"I-I" The steward glanced at his master seeing the scowl still on his face kept quiet and offered him the plate of food.

Dominic took it, biting into the warmth of the bread. He sighed and glancing at the sleepy looking teen. Irritated he had caused the overworked look. He turned away from the worrying brown eyes. Turning back, Dominic faced Joseph. He had a string ribbon on his finger. He was engaged!

The warm brown eyes that had almost skipped into his room this morning were now exhausted with bags, clenching the string the boys hand was almost throbbing because he had tightened it so hard. Dominic needed to get his mind off it.

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen master," He whispered. Dominic nodded slowly. He was younger than me, he thought. Dominic had to look up the kind voice and as he yawned again Dominic turned away.

"You can go." Dominic paused to cross out a mistake on his sheet, before speaking again. "Return to work tomorrow I don't need your services tonight,”

"Thank you si-"

Dominic threw a sheet in frustration. His head throbbing, he wished for some port, sleep, his room maybe. Anything to get away from this sheer uselessness that he felt at the moment.

"Well what are you waiting for? Leave!" He roared, the steward silently scuttled out following his masters command.

Dominic flung the paper the papers on the other side of the room; he was not in the mood at all to work. He needed some peace, some tranquillity amongst the chaos of his life. Clicking the door of his study he slouched and for once relaxed he turned for his favourite place in the whole house.

Amongst being the earl, the master of the house, a solider he did not have much time for fun. He had found one room which he devoted to himself only. He would lock himself for an hour and two. And pray. And sleep. And hope.

Hope that one day all this hard work would be worth something rather than a name. He sighed as his title was called again. "I'll be fine,"

Ignoring the pleas of his butler to get some rest Dominic went into the unused part of his house, the west wing was his favourite area of his home. Their home....

He supposed since his marriage to his wife. That woman he wanted to throttle her. Her smirking little face as she sauntered into the breakfast room, wearing the clothes he had brought. Shaking it off, he walked into the room.

She had ruined his freedom, being tied down he was now a married man. A protector and a courtesan he was not just a single man. He would have her to take her to court when he went to train men for King Francis. He would have to get her something to do she wouldn't be pleased sitting indoors all day and see HIS face.

Why would he care about her interests? Her hair framing her heart shaped face, her dress clinging onto her as she at, his ring was still on her finger. What was he doing? Trying to focus on relaxing he took a deep breath and looked around the room.

"What the devil are you doing here?" Dominic shook in fury as he saw Jacqueline sitting in his room. His room!

The room looked practically the same, everything was in its place mostly and the windows that Dominic never opened let in a warm breeze.

"Well I obeyed you husband dearest I stayed at home in here all day," She continued reading the book she has been.

Dominic's face clenched, all tired fleeing him. "This room is private you have no right to be in here,”

"But husband we share everything this house is ours you have what you want and me same you cannot tell me where to go in this home." She chuckled at his face.

He ignored her point and continued with his. "Leave now Jacqueline that is not a request it's an order."

She shrugged" I don't follow orders"

"You will with me Jacqueline I assure you"

"My lord, husband I don't think that's very fair I must follow your orders but I'm not allowed in part of my own home even though it is part of my marriage contract. "Jacqueline looked at him straight in the face, his face stern but she was frustrated.

She wanted to kill him. Make him wipe that infuriating authority and mightiness off his face. Off him completely, he was so pompous.

"Madame I am tired I wish for some privacy and please leave before I do something we both regret." Dominic said tightly.

Again! She could not see past the cold personality. Shaking it off she continued talking, "I'm not leaving we are husband and wife share everything we can share the room you may go over there if you like I'm not leaving," She repeated.

His anger got the better of him then. Striding to the little woman that was flooding his mind, he glared at her. “Get out" He grabbed her wrist and yanked her up.

"Leave, my lady,” Jacqueline struggled as he tightened his grip.

"Get off me." she snapped but Dominic was undeterred. She had invaded his personal area. His spot, in his home, and she just took over it and his mind.

"Leave," He repeated. Jacqueline tried to move out of his grasp but Dominic grip was iron steal he shoved her. She gasped in pain as his nails dug tighter.

"This is our home, my lord not just yours you can't control me,” She spat as his nails dug deeper into her skin.

Then Dominic lost it, all his control disappeared she hadn't apologised for invading the only placed he loved in this god forsaken hole. She hadn't apologized for her disrespect. Using his hand slapped her hard.

The echoes rang in the room but it wasn't enough for him, he had no sleep he wanted to be in the only place that made him happy and she was in it. Her face was lost in his mind and he just couldn't control himself.

He shoved her to the ground, her dress ripped it was too weak for Dominic's fury. And he kicked her right in the stomach. Unnecessary, uncalled for, but he did it.

The echo lasted in the room again, her face was red tears streaming down his face and hers, he sighed and slapped her again. "A wife is to submit and if you want us to get along you better know your place and quick." He seethed.

Jacqueline just mumbled and left closing the door. Dominic finally sank down and fell asleep. The wind blew again.