Duchess In Disguise

s of t

ce's words echoed in her mind-his admiration for her differences, his promise to continue their conversation

lated on her relationship with the prince. Some were curious, others outright hostile. A maid's daughte

standing within the ton, another, deeper

er, Catherine, had been a maid in the Ashford household, and her father, the Duke, had never acknowledged her. But there were gaps in the story, things her mothe

ered Amelia everything-the Ashford title, the family's immense wealth, and the legacy that came with it. But there

ure of what she might uncover, but no

*

rridors leading to her grandmother's chambers. The air was heavy with the scent of lavender, and

sitated for a moment, gathering her thought

ay's warmth. Her once regal posture had sagged with age, and her pale skin was thin, almo

er voice steady despite her obvi

room was quiet except for the faint curtains rustling in the breeze. For a momen

her hands folded in her lap. "There is

, sharp and knowing. "Ah, I see. You'

admitted, feeling a twinge of unease. "There's so much I don't understan

ardens outside the window. "It is a painful story

quickening as her grandmother's voice dr

was charming, brilliant in many ways, but also reckless. He inherited his father's title young after the old Duke d

was never content, always searching for somethi

re of her parents' relationship-how her mother, a maid, had come to fall in

spoke. "Innocent. Too innocent, I think, for the world she found herself in. Edward took an interest in her almost

ure of anger and sadness rising in her chest. "Did he...

sh Amelia. He cared for Catherine, but not enough to risk his reputation. When she became pregnant with you, the scandal was

she had lost. She had always known her father had abandoned them, bu

Amelia said, bitterness

I was wrong to do so, but at the time, I believed it was the onl

th. Amelia's mind swirled with conflicting emotions-anger at her father, sorrow for

small way, I can make amends by ensuring you inherit what is rightfully yours. The As

of her life resenting the Ashfords for what they had done to her mother, but now, faced with the full truth

id suddenly, her tone more urge

lint of fear flickering in their depths. "There are those who will oppose you

melia asked, her voic

ronger claim to the Ashford title. They've been waiting for this moment-for the fami

be harsh, that her past would be scrutinized, but she ha

asked, her voice steadier

y real power, but they've been watching, waiting for an opportunity. You must be care

andmother was saying. She had entered this world with little mor

w?" she asked, her v

atigue. "And I need you to be ready. The Ashford name is yours to defend, but yo

er asked for this life, but now that it was hers, she knew she couldn't turn away. She wou

ng with everything she had learned. The past, it seemed, was not as distant a

me the truth, Grandmo

You are stronger than you know, Amelia. You

*

her like a shroud. Amelia's thoughts churned as she tried to make sense of everything-the aban

ardens. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden light over the flowers and trees. It was

hild felt distant now. She had wanted a better li

ere was Prin

sure how much more attention she could bear. The prince had made it clear that he was interested in her-interested in more than

ven her clarity, but it had also made

unlight faded from the sky. She would protect what