The Duke’s Sinful Bride (Vows of Sin #5)

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

“ T his is lovely!” Yvette praised, holding up Maisie’s latest drawing—a rather charming depiction of a horse with a wild mane against a bright blue sky.

Yvette’s soft laughter filled the drawing room, blending with Maisie’s cheerful giggles.

The late morning sun streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the room.

Sheets of paper were scattered across the low table between them, each adorned with colorful sketches born from a six-year-old’s boundless imagination.

Maisie beamed, her small cheeks flushing with pride.

“Do ye really think so, Duchess?” she asked shyly.

“I do! You’ve captured Flash perfectly,” Yvette replied, placing the drawing gently aside. “You even caught his mischievous expression.”

Maisie giggled. “That’s because Flash is mischievous! He always eats the flowers when the stable master isn’t looking.”

Yvette laughed, imagining the stable master’s scolding of the unruly pony. “Well, you’ve done a splendid job. You’re quite the little artist.”

Maisie smiled brightly, dipping her quill into the inkwell to start another drawing. “Will you draw with me, Duchess?”

Yvette’s heart softened at the child’s hopeful tone.

“Of course.” She picked up a quill and began sketching a small cottage framed by hills, drawing on distant memories of her time in the countryside.

As they worked side by side, Maisie asked with sudden curiosity, “Duchess… do ye have a brother?”

Yvette paused for a heartbeat, surprised by the question.

“I do,” she said with a fond smile. “His name is Edward. He’s older than me by seven years.”

“Is he nice?” Maisie asked, tilting her head.

“Very nice,” Yvette assured her. “Although, when we were younger, I was quite the menace to him.”

Maisie’s eyes widened. “You were?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Yvette confessed with mock seriousness. “I played the most outrageous pranks on him.”

Maisie set down her quill, intrigued. “Like what?”

Yvette’s lips twitched as she recalled one particular incident. “There was a time when Edward was preparing for a very important visit from our Papa’s business partner. He was meant to present himself as a perfect gentleman.”

Maisie leaned in, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“I thought it would be hilarious if I hid a frog inside his coat pocket,” Yvette continued, struggling not to laugh at the memory.

“During the meeting, the poor creature jumped out right when Edward was making an important introduction.”

Maisie gasped, covering her mouth. “Did he get in trouble?”

“Oh, he most certainly did,” Yvette admitted. “Our father never suspected me. Edward didn’t tell on me, though he did chase me around the garden for half an hour afterward.”

Maisie burst into a fit of giggles, clutching her sides. “That’s so funny!”

Yvette joined her in laughter, the memory of her carefree childhood warming her heart. “He was furious, but he forgave me… eventually.”

Maisie’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Since I don’t have a brother… maybe I could prank Papa like that.”

Yvette’s brows lifted in amusement. “Your father?”

Maisie nodded eagerly. “He’s always so serious. It would be funny to see him surprised.”

Unable to suppress her laughter, Yvette leaned closer. “I fully support this idea, Maisie.”

Maisie tapped her chin thoughtfully. “What sort of prank would work on Papa?”

Yvette tilted her head, pretending to consider the question with utmost seriousness.

“Hmm… I’m not sure,” Yvette replied, but from the look on the little girl’s face, Yvette could tell she had already figured it out.

Maisie tilted her head, her expression softening. “Do you miss your brother?”

Yvette’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “I do,” she admitted honestly. “But I know he’s happy in London with his family. He writes me.”

“Does he have children?” Maisie asked curiously.

Yvette’s expression softened further. “He does. My nephew, Aaron. He’s about half your age.”

Maisie’s eyes widened. “Maybe one day… could I meet him?”

“I would love that,” Yvette replied sincerely. “Perhaps one day, when we’re all in London.”

Maisie nodded eagerly, then paused, studying Yvette thoughtfully. “Do you think… maybe… I could have a brother or sister one day?”

Yvette blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question. “Would you… would you like that?” she asked gently.

Maisie nodded earnestly. “I think… I’d like that… Someone to play with when Papa is busy. So I do not bother him, ye know?”

Emotion constricted Yvette’s chest at the innocent answer.

“I think… that would be very nice,” she whispered, her voice tender.

Maisie grinned brightly. “Maybe… if I am extra good… the bird will bring one!”

Yvette laughed, her heart full as she gently pulled Maisie into a warm embrace. “You are already the best gift your father could ever have.”

Maisie hugged her tightly, resting her head on Yvette’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, Duchess… I like having you around.”

Yvette closed her eyes, holding the little girl close. In that moment, the walls she had so carefully built around her heart began to crumble—just a little.

For the first time in a long time, she felt truly wanted.

It was after dinner when Killian retired to his study to finish up on some work.

Killian dipped his quill into the inkwell and dragged the tip across the paper. His brow furrowed when the quill snagged, leaving a sticky, uneven streak. He frowned, inspecting the quill, then the inkwell.

“What in the devil…?”

Killian dipped the quill again, testing it on another piece of parchment with the same sticky result. He sniffed the jar cautiously, then recoiled.

“Blackberry syrup?” he growled, and from behind his door, he heard the sound of soft giggles that could only belong to one person in his household..

“Maisie!” he thundered.

Maisie didn’t respond, and the sudden quiet from behind the door made Killian suspect she had run away. He pushed away from his desk, storming toward the door.

“Maisie Elizabeth Oakbourne!” His deep voice thundered through the hall where he found the little girl nestled on the floor, staring up at him.

“Is this yer doing?” he demanded, his arms crossed.

Maisie whimpered, clinging to her skirts. “I… I didn’t mean to be bad…”

“Bad?” Killian scoffed. “You think this is amusing? Ruining important documents with—syrup?”

Upon hearing the sound of Killian’s thunderous voice, Yvette, who had buried her nose in a book, rose to her feet immediately, heading towards the sound.

On her way there, she met with Maisie’s governess, both of them sharing a single confused look.

“What happened?” Yvette asked Killian the moment she reached Killian’s study.

From the look on Maisie’s face, Yvette already had an idea of what had happened, but she waited for Killian to explain how he found syrup in his inkwell while working on important document.

Then he turned toward Maisie’s governess.

“Is this what you’ve been teaching her?”

The governess, eager to escape blame, shook her head.

“No, Your Grace. I have no idea where she must’ve learned to be mischievous like this,” the woman said, but Killian was not having it.

“Then what exactly is yer work, if she goes around exhibiting characteristics you didn’t teach her?” Killian asked, his tone threatening, so much that the governess took a few steps backward as though that could save her from Killian’s wrath.

Killian then turned toward Maisie, his anger flaring.

“Where did you learn to do a thing like that?” He asked, his anger radiating off him to the little girl, who was too scared to say anything so remained quiet.

Her silence, however, only angered Killian more, who ran his fingers through his hair before returning his attention to the little girl.

“I demand you tell me this instant, or I shall take away your horse!”

“Killian!” Yvette felt the need to step in. It was ridiculous how such a small matter was turning into something extreme.

Killian directed his attention to Yvette.

“At what point will you realize it was just a harmless prank?”

Killian’s expression darkened. “Harmless? Encouraging such behavior will make her reckless.”

“She’s six,” Yvette shot back, her voice rising. “Six! She’s a child, not a soldier under your command.”

Killian’s jaw clenched. “Discipline is necessary. Allowing her to run wild will only spoil her.”

Yvette’s eyes flashed with anger. “Discipline without warmth breeds fear, not respect. Is that what you want from your daughter?”

His nostrils flared. “Maisie must learn proper conduct. This is not?—”

“Proper conduct?” Yvette interrupted incredulously. “You’re angry because she dared to laugh, dared to play.”

Killian took a step closer, his voice dangerously low. “She must understand there are consequences to every action.”

“And what consequence should she face for wanting to experience life?” Yvette challenged, her chest heaving. “Do you realize how desperately she craves your approval? She acts out because she knows it is the only way to get your attention!”

Killian faltered, guilt flickering across his face, but before he could respond, the governess hurried back into the hall, her expression panicked.

“Your Grace—I—I can’t find her!”

Both Killian and Yvette froze.

“What do you mean ye can’t find her?” Killian’s voice dropped, edged with urgency.

“I… I thought she went to her chambers, but she’s not there,” the governess stammered, her hands trembling.

Killian turned on his heel, barking orders at the butler and several footmen. “Search the gardens and stables. Now!”