Lynch pin (3)

After dinner, Amina got up to clear the dishes. Much to her surprise, the Duke followed her into the kitchen.

“ Thank you for the feast. ” He said, plainly, standing closer than the compliment required.

“ You’re very welcome. So glad you enjoyed it. “ She replied.

“ I’m not good at this.” the Duke said without preamble. “ So if I say something out of line, promise to let me know. “

“ What is it? “

“ Have you ever considered having anything serious again after your husband died? “

“ I suppose that depends on what you mean by serious. “ She answered as she tried to regulate her heartbeat.

“ I haven’t had a real companion in years. “ The Duke said. “ What if I wanted it to be you? Would you be agreeable to something like that? “

This was it.

Ameena thought about the things Aloisio told her:

🏴‍☠️ do not appear overeager

🏴‍☠️ never close the door entirely

🏴‍☠️ always have an exit strategy

🏴‍☠️ give him just enough to keep him interested

“ I suppose that depends on the parameters. “ she said.

“ Like? “

“ Like - are you looking for a companion? Or a wife? “

“ I would very much like a wife to live out my days with. But if you’re not ready for that, I suppose I could be happy with you as a companion. “

Ameena could see the sadness behind his eyes. This man has lost his wife, his love, and the one woman he wanted to replace them refused.

She will have to be gentle with him.

“ Can I sleep on it? “

“ If you wish. “

Lynch pin (2)

Ameena noticed the Duke’s fork hovering over his plate.

“ Not hungry?” she asked. “ I could pack it up for you to take with you.”

“ It looks delicious.” he replied. “ Haven’t had a beautiful woman cook for me in a long time. “

✏️ Ironic – the last beautiful woman who cooked for him has a daughter who lives right across the hall.

He finally scooped up a forkfull and paused.

“Well?” Ameena asked, waiting for the verdict.

“ Incredible. The spice blend is different – where did you get them? “

“ The spice merchant has a pop up stall - it was packed. I think we all bought her out. “

The Duke bragged and told her he has a direct line; he’d be happy to get her refills anytime she likes - an amazing cook like her should never go without.

“ Your husband was a very lucky man. “

Ameena blushed and thanked him.

“ Thank you again for putting me up in this lovely place. “ she said. “ The first time I saw it. It looked like some place I would’ve decorated myself. “

“ That was the point. “ The Duke answered. “ I wanted you to feel at home. I hired a team to look at your social media for inspiration so you’d be no rush to leave. “ 

“ All of this for me? But why? “

“ If you don’t know, I suppose I’ll have to work harder. “

Lynch pin (1)

Ameena greeted the Duke warmly and let the warmth of the room and the smell of the oxtails speak for her.

“ I hope you’re hungry. “ She said sweetly. 

The Duke watched her walk over to the table and couldn’t believe his luck. What a refreshing difference; a beautiful woman with a bright smile who actually looked happy to be in the same room as him. Not desperate, like some the old widows who bought their eyelashes when they see him around the village. Confident. Well put together.

He felt something shift in him .

Across the way, Alim and Juniper sat together quietly, present in the possibility that their lives were finally about to change.

Amina smiled and served him, then sat down. She was poised, just like the years of working in hospitality taught her to be. The Duke watched her in wonder.

He didn’t eat right away; possibly because he was afraid that if the food was half as good as her presentation, he might propose on the spot.

Duty (2)

Juniper took a slow sip and thought about her long game. All about the years she moved from world to world to avoid the Duke. Her schemes. Her misdirection.

She looked at the only man she loved, the only man she’d ever given all of herself to and asked:

“ What if your trap doesn’t work? “

“ Then I will draw my sword, hold it up to that old man and demand to fight for your honor. I will declare my love for you to all of Dambale - if we must leave, we must leave. But you will be my wife. “

Alim did not break eye contact with her. She knew he spoke to truth.

Then, a small smile broke across his face.

“ What if I told you he was joining her for dinner tonight? “

“ What?? “ Juniper shrieked in disbelief. It’s not that she hadn’t believed him before, she just didn’t realize things had moved along this far.

She is here?

They’re having dinner? Tonight??

They’re probably getting started as they speak.

Juniper looked at him with wonder. Looked at the man who waited for her; sustained himself on small visits and stolen moments. It was no small task for her either, but surely a warrior like him had needs far beyond what she could provide under the circumstances. 

He felt the heat from her stare.

“ what is it? “

“ Nothing. “ She replied, nervously; snapping her head forward.

“Juniper. “ he said, sternly. “ I wasn’t aware we had secrets between us. “

“ I have no place to ask about the parts of your love life that don’t include me, but – “

“ No others after the first time we made love. “ He said, plainly and absolute.

“ I wouldn’t have blamed you. “ She said softly, quietly embarrassed. “ I’m sure you had needs. “

“ You are my need. “

Duty (1)

Juniper and Alim haven’t spent much time together since the engagement announcement, but they do manage steal a quiet dinner when they can.

Even though she’s happy for the Grand Duchess and the Marquess, Juniper can’t help feeling a little resentful that they have to still stay in the dark.

Alim remind her they need to be patient; the trap is set for the Duke - he’ll succumb and they’ll be free.

But how long? Juniper thought to herself. It’s not that the Duke wants her anymore; he’s just greedy. And stubborn. He knows she doesn’t want him, but he just won’t let her go.

Juniper didn’t have to say any of that aloud; Alim knew how she felt. And it pained him to see the sadness on her face.

“ I’m marrying you, my love. “ He said softly. “ And our joy will be celebrated. “

“ Will we still be young enough to still have children? “ she asked, trying to fight back the glossiness in her eyes. 

“ Of course we will. I will draw my sword for your honor before I let that happen; I don’t care how old he is. “

For one brief moment, he felt fear. “ Don’t give up on us. “

“ Never. “ Juniper said.

And she meant it. Maybe the hurt is knowing how close they are to getting what they want. Maybe the waiting aches because she hates that it depends on a selfish old man. 

But she believes the man she loves. And she decided she could hold on a little longer. 

After Party (6)

The mothers walked out laughing, arm in arm.

The night started fading with a suggestion of the impending dawn.

Joy and Thandiwe stared at each other with a knowledge that the night was truly over, no matter how long they tried to drag it out.

“ I’m probably gonna sound dumb for saying this. “ Joy started, staring unapologetically.

“ Say it. “ Thadiwe said, not breaking eye contact.

“ I like you. “ Joy continued. “ I’ve spent the last hour terrified I’ll never see you again. Or worse, that you don’t feel the same way. “

Thandiwe’s eyes crinkled in a way that stopped Joy’s heart. 

“ You think I stayed here all night for nothing? “ She asked.

Chisholm exhaled with smug satisfaction. Chisholm also wondered when her own baddie is going to arrive in her life.

They’re not jumping into anything – they live in different worlds, have businesses to run, and still have a lot to learn about each other. But it’s the start of something.

After Party (5)

“ I owe you an apology. “ Nkuriko said. “ I was mad at you at first, when in truth, you were just defending your daughter. And mine. “

“ No apology needed. “ Estrella responded. “ You did something extraordinary – opened your mind and listened. I know what that took. “

Nkuriko nodded knowingly.

“ Ever since they were young, I wanted them to marry big strong successful men and give me lots of grandbabies. It’s hard adjusting. “

“ You’re just doing the thing your mother did and her mother before her “ Estrella said.

“ They were raised to dictate what their children would do and who they would be. But we know better now, so we do better. “

“ We do better. “ Nkuriko agreed.

“ And what of you?” Nkuriko asked, almost concerned. “ How come you never got married? “

Estrella told her about the bandleader and how she spent most of her time, raising Marisol and trying to hold her career together.

“ Now that your daughter is settled, you can start dating again. You’re too beautiful to sit yourself on the shelf. “

“ Don’t worry. “ Estella said with a sly grin. “ I never want for company; when I want it, I get it. “

“ Sounds like we’ll need another outing so I can get all the details. “ Nikuriko said. “ Maybe even a double date? “