Chapter 50 Come with me

A while later, a maid came to her room and said," I was ordered by his grace to help you get dressed." "Help me get dressed? I am already dressed," she said confused. "He told me to dress you up in one of your clothes in the closet," she mentioned and Hazel turned to look at the closet.

"I don't have any clothes in there," she said turning to look back at her. "That is not true. I personally placed them in there."

"When?" she asked. "Yesterday night," she replied.

Hazel who was still in doubt got up and walked to the closet before opening it. Her eyes couldn't believe what she saw. There were a number of silk dresses which looked to be expensive and also her size. "These ones?" Hazel asked as she turned to look at the maid who nodded at her and said," Yes. There are also other things on the other side of the closet."

She went to check and her eyes fell on the things that she had never thought of possessing in her life. There were gloves, corsets, crinolines, stockings, garters, trousseau's, chemises, shoes. Her cheeks burned when her eyes fell on the silk undergarments and she turned to ask," Who bought these?"

On seeing what she was referring to, she said," I did." "Are these mine?" she asked again to confirm.

"Well in that case, I... have to first speak to his grace," said Hazel.

"Will you first get dressed please? His grace ordered me to do the task and it will be my fault if he sees that I haven't done my job. Please," she added and Hazel nodded in understanding. "Thank you," she said before asking," Do you have any dress that has caught your eye? Or should I select for you?"

"They are all good but I guess you will choose," said Hazel and she stepped towards the closet. Rummaging through the dresses, she pulled out a blue silk dress and said," I have chosen this one."

She then picked a pair of gloves, corset, garter, chemise and stockings to accompany the dress.

Hazel stood in front of the mirror as she stared at her reflection. For the first time in her life, she was dressed in new clothes, that were not remodelled.

"Is it so tight?" asked the maid who was adjusting her corset and she shook her head then said," It's just enough." "Alright," she replied and on stepping back, she looked at her and said," You look beautiful." "Thank you," she replied as she continued to look at herself.

"Uh, it is time for me to fix your hair," the maid stated and Hazel asked," But why did I have to get dressed? Are we going somewhere?" "I don't know. The Duke ordered me to make sure that you look beautiful," she mentioned and Hazel went to sit in front of the mirror.

She unbraided her hair before combing it and put oils in it, to make it moist.

After, she pulled out the drawers until she landed on a hair clip and placing it on the table, she styled her hair before clipping it.

"What do you think about that?" she asked.

"It's nice," replied Hazel looking at herself.

"I'm glad you like it. I will go and inform his grace that you are done," she said and she nodded.

Hazel who was looking at herself in the mirror was startled when the door was opened and she turned to meet her eyes with the Duke's who had come. At first, he stood in place taking his time to look at her and later, he said," You came out even more beautiful than I had envisioned you."

"Thank you your grace," she replied and he stepped closer, with his hands tucked inside his pockets. "Why am I dressed like this?" she asked.

"Didn't I tell you that you are the lady of the house? You thought I was kidding?" he asked. "But I didn't agree to it," she said. "Well I did. And you better start getting used to it," he deadpanned. "This is forcing someone against her will, do you realize?" she asked. "Call it as you wish but it is already decided," he said and that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" he asked. "It is me," replied Cooper from the other side and said," It is done your grace."

"Alright. We shall be there shortly," replied Raven.

When he left, Raven gave his hand for her to take as he said," Come with me."

"Where are we going?" she asked. "You will see," he said and she hesitantly placed her hand in his, before the two walked outside.

Hazel later realized that they were heading towards the same hall where she was embarrassed and she asked," What are we doing here?"

"You will find out," he said and they continued walking towards the direction.

Reaching the entrance of the hall, Hazel halted the moment she saw that the servants had been gathered inside just like the previous time. She pulled her hand away from his and she stepped back. "What are you doing?" "Just come with me," he said and he noticed the look of hesitation on her face. "Have I ever hurt you? Physically at least," he said and she shook her head. "Then come with me," he said and she took a deep breath before nodding and the two made way inside the hall.

On seeing the Duke with the unfamiliar woman, most of the servants were in wonder while the few who recognized Hazel gasped on seeing her here and in such a state, dressed like a high class lady. Among the few that recognized Hazel were the three servants who worked with her in the kitchen as they had spent most of their time with her.

"Am I seeing things or is that Hazel?" asked Emily to Rosalie. "I too think it's her but why is she here? And dressed that way?"