Awakening Love: Reborn to Be His Duchess Chapter 306: The Divorce

The first time Lydia heard her husband say he felt unwell and call for a doctor, she'd been scared half to death.

But after a long examination, the physician only said her husband was exhausted and needed rest.

That had finally put her at ease.

And he'd been right. Lydia respected that doctor. His skill was the real thing.

Not long after Lydia gave birth to Nina, her husband died.

It was unfortunate. Nina was only a girl, so Lydia didn't inherit much. Even so, compared with ordinary people, she still lived well enough. The house wasn't large, but it belonged to her, and she could keep a few servants.

Years later, Lydia ran into Alistair for the first time in a long while.

He had inherited the family title. Even his servants were dressed better than Lydia's late husband had ever been, every one of them polished and elegant.

It was obvious Alistair was doing very well.

From that day on, Lydia began making plans. She found ways to get close to him. In time, she and Nina both managed to move into Havenstead Manor.

The original plan had been simple. She would play the helpless widow, become Alistair's mistress, and then quietly poison that hateful Elspeth.

But Elspeth refused to budge, and to Lydia's surprise, Alistair usually did whatever Lydia wanted.

So Lydia switched to smaller schemes, stirring up quarrels between husband and wife again and again.

At last, yesterday, Elspeth had actually asked for a divorce.

Lydia had almost been wild with joy—until Alistair refused.

She had started wondering whether she should go through with the poison after all. Once Elspeth was dead, becoming the new lady of Havenstead Manor would only be a matter of time.

But now Elspeth was staying at Duskmoor Manor under the Duke of Duskmoor's protection. Lydia was afraid it would be too dangerous.

Still, word had come that the court would soon issue a decree granting the divorce, and another naming her a Lady of the First Rank. Lydia knew she couldn't wait any longer. She had to act now and secure her place as Marchioness of Havenstead.

She looked at the bottle in her hand, drew a deep breath, and tipped out a single black pill.

"Everyone lives for themselves. That's how the world works..."

She whispered it like she was convincing herself. Then she steeled herself and swallowed the poison in one gulp.

That evening, with dusk settling outside, Elowen and Cassian had just sat down to dinner when Anson hurried in.

"Your Grace, the Marquess of Havenstead is here."

Elowen glanced sideways. "Wasn't he here this morning? He really wants Aunt Elspeth back."

Anson frowned. "From the marquess's manner, I don't think he's here to ask her to return."

She paused. "What do you mean?"

Before Anson could answer, Alistair was led into the hall.

He bowed deeply to Cassian and Elowen. His head was lowered, his shoulders shaking, his grief plain on his face.

"Your Grace, forgive me. My uncle and aunt were like parents to me. Before they died, they entrusted Lydia, their only daughter, to my care. Now Lydia is on the edge of death. I... I can't fail her."

Elowen stared at him, startled. "Lydia is dying?"

Alistair nodded and took a trembling breath. "Ever since Elspeth brought up divorce, Lydia has blamed herself. She can barely eat or sleep. When I returned home today, I found her unconscious. The doctor says worry and grief have done lasting damage to her body. He says she may not have long."

Elowen was quiet for a beat.

Alistair's voice shook. "I never meant to let Elspeth down. But this is Lydia's dying wish. She's looked after me for years. Now, at the very end, the only thing she wants is to marry me once, properly. I... I don't know what else to do."

Cassian's voice was cold as frost. "Get to the point. What do you want?"

Alistair stepped back half a pace and bowed again. "I've come to see Elspeth. I'm prepared to agree to the separation."

Cassian's brow moved slightly. He gave a small nod. "Bring Aunt Elspeth."

Bran hurried off at once.

Elspeth was sitting beneath the window, pretending to read.

She had never cared much for books. When she was young, she had preferred playing to studying. Even now, most books gave her a headache.

But lately she had seen Elowen utterly absorbed in reading, so focused she wouldn't even answer when spoken to.

That had made Elspeth curious. Are books really that interesting?

She had struggled over a single page for what felt like forever.

"Your Grace." Bran stopped a respectful distance behind her. "The marquess is here."

Elspeth was already irritated from reading, and her face darkened at once.

She assumed Alistair had come yet again to beg her to change her mind. She snapped, "He's back? Can't the gatekeepers just chase him off with a stick? Always making a spectacle of himself, and probably using my money to do it."

Bran hesitated, then said carefully, "Your Grace, this time he says he's here to agree the divorce."

That stopped her cold. Confusion flashed across her face, followed by suspicion. "This isn't some trick?"

"His Grace and Her Grace are both in the front hall. The marquess wouldn't dare try anything with them there. And it sounds like his cousin really is gravely ill. Her last wish is to marry the marquess once, as his lawful wife."

Elspeth let out a sharp laugh. "Disgusting."