Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122 A Secret Tryst

The Duke of Falconcrest hesitated. “Duchess Elowen, is that truly necessary?”

Cassian meeting another woman wasn’t particularly scandalous. He didn’t understand why Elowen was making such a fuss.

“Is it too much trouble for you, Your Lordship?” Elowen asked.

“It’s not that…”

“Then have it done!” Elowen urged.

Any later, and the servant, having completed his task, would surely slip away to report. Without the servant, finding the mastermind would be nearly impossible.

“I’ll arrange it.”

Piers stepped forward from the side.

The Duke of Falconcrest shot his son an annoyed glance. Too soft–hearted, always meddling in others‘ affairs!

“You, step ba-”

Before he could finish his rebuke, Elowen said, “Thank you, Lord Piers.”

The Duke of Falconcrest choked back his words, his expression souring.

Elowen signaled to Bran. “Go with them.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

After they left, Elowen turned back to the Duke of Falconcrest. “Your Lordship, please continue leading the way.”

He acquiesced with a sigh.

As soon as they entered the west wing courtyard, a telltale rustling sound reached their ears.

It came from deep within the rockery grotto to the east.

A woman’s delicate, breathy moans intertwined with a man’s guttural groans, rising and falling in a rhythm that left little to the imagination.

The gathered guests exchanged glances, their expressions settling into collective pity as they

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looked at Elowen.

Kaelan frowned and stepped forward, intending to cover Elowen’s ears.

She brushed past him and strode forward.

The Duke of Falconcrest hastily called out, “Duchess Elowen, don’t!”

He lowered his voice. “Barging in like this will only anger Duke Cassian!”

Elowen looked puzzled. “Why would such a thing anger him?”

The Duke was momentarily stumped. Why?

Looking at her innocent, youthful face, he sighed inwardly.

Still so young, barely more than a girl. She probably dreams of a fairy–tale marriage with one man’s undivided love.

Just then, a derisive snort came from the crowd behind them.

Elowen turned towards the sound.

Galen wore a leering smirk. “Your Grace, surely your father taught you that it’s perfectly ordinary for a man to have mistresses and concubines? Never mind if His Grace wants someone; down the line, you’ll be the one picking out concubines for him.”

Elowen frowned.

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“Besides,” Galen continued, his tone mocking, “His Grace is currently… occupied. If you burst in now and spoil his fun, his displeasure might mean he won’t speak to you for days!”

Finally, understanding dawned on Elowen.

So that’s why they’re all trying to stop me. They think it’s Cassian in the grotto.

The sounds from the rockery continued, growing even more fervent.

Galen’s voice took on a salacious edge. “It seems His Grace was restrained for too long during his illness. To be so… energetic in broad daylight, and in a rockery of all places…”

Someone in the crowd murmured, “Doesn’t Duchess Elowen satisfy Duke Cassian?”

A wave of knowing, masculine chuckles rippled through the group.

The Duke of Falconcrest scowled, about to rebuke them.

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A Secret Tryst

Speaking so crudely in front of the young Duchess was beyond improper–they were taking advantage of her youth and lack of established authority.

But before he could speak, Elowen stated clearly, “That is not Duke Cassian in the grotto.”

The Duke of Falconcrest faltered. “It… isn’t?”

Elowen shook her head. “No. The sounds are clearly not his.”

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The Duke of Falconcrest paused, listening more intently. The groaning did seem different from Cassian’s voice.

Galen let out a scornful laugh. “If it’s not Duke Cassian, then who could it be? We’re all guests here. Who would be so unable to control themselves as to have a secret tryst in someone else’s garden in broad daylight…”

Another man chimed in with a snicker, “Duchess Elowen is young. She’s just trying to save face.”

Galen nodded with false sympathy. “True. If she says it’s not Duke Cassian, then it’s not. Let’s just hope word doesn’t get out in a few days that he has taken on a beautiful concubine…

The crowd burst into laughter.

Elowen studied Galen for a moment longer.

He was still smirking.

From the grotto, the sounds reached a fever pitch, the man’s cries growing louder.

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