Firebrand

Firebrand
FatalFury

Chapter 13, Part I - Homecoming

They recovered from their shock quickly, with Inuyasha barking out orders to his driver as he quickly righted his appearance. Upon seeing his wife's struggle to dress herself, he shoved her hands aside as he made quick-work of playing lady's maid to Kagome.

Fortunately, he was very efficient in dressing her as he was in taking off her clothes. As an afterthought, he shrugged out of his coat and handed it to her.

"You'd better wear this. I'm not so sure I managed to get all of your ties done,"

Kagome was glowering at him as her cheeks reddened in embarassment.

She wouldn't be in this predicament if it wasn't for him!

But she reluctantly took his coat and put it around her shoulders. And then he was opening the door and helping her out of the carriage. She was still tightening her hold on the coat and struggling to contain her blush at the same time when Inuyasha set her on her feet.

It was a castle, all right. Complete with its' turrets. Kagome was instantly charmed. She could hardly see anything now, as it's night time when they arrived. But she was sure the view would be magnificent by daylight.

"Well, what do you think?"

She didn't answer her husband's question, not wanting to add to his already inflated ego if she admits she liked his home. Inuyasha frowned at her silence.

"I can't give you the grand tour at this hour; it'll have to wait until tomorrow. I'll give you free rein in redecorating if that's what you want,"

Kagome could only blink in surprise at what he said.

'Why is he being nice? He must be up to something,'

Kagome thought suspiciously to herself. Inuyasha seemed oblivious to her thoughts as he took hold of her elbow and guided her towards the steps that lead to the castle doors.

"Why is your staff gathered like that?"

Kagome asked Inuyasha curiously as she noticed his servants lined up neatly at both sides of the stairs. Without missing a beat, Inuyasha proceeded to usher her up the steps as every servant they passed bowed their head in respect.

When they were at the top, he motioned Kagome to turn with him so they faced everyone. Without letting go of her, he spoke to his staff in a deep, commanding voice.

"I present you with my wife, the new Duchess of Windshire,"

A collective gasp went through the crowd as shock at his announcement ensued. But it wasn't long before the gasps gave way to cheers.

The staff you see, didn't even know that the duke was coming, much less that he was already married! When the butler, Myouga, hastily announced that the duke's carriage has been spotted they frantically finished whatever it was they were doing so that they could lie in wait at the steps before the duke arrived. It has always been that way --a tradition, if you may-- whenever the master comes home.

They didn't expect that he was going to have company with him, or that he was bringing home a wife! It was a pleasant surprise, and every one of them thought it was about time. The butler disengaged himself from the cheering crowd and greeted his new mistress with a welcoming smile on his weathered face.

"I am Myouga at your service, Your Grace. Welcome to Windshire Castle,"

A plump woman who was also advanced in years extended her greeting. She had tears in her eyes as she curtsied to Kagome.

"I be Kaede the housekeeper, Your Grace. You're a welcome sight indeed. It's about time His Grace got married,"

Kagome thought the housekeeper overstepped her bounds with that comment, but Inuyasha only waved it aside. He must be used to Kaede talking to him like that.

"Now you can't hound me anymore with your nagging, Kaede-ba. I already got me a wife,"

Inuyasha informed the housekeeper smugly. Kagome was intrigued by what he called Kaede, but was preoccupied when she saw a determined glint appear in the housekeeper's eyes.

"Aye, you did get a wife but my nagging days aren't over yet! Not until you have a son,"

It was now Kaede's turn to tell the duke smugly. Her comment produced different reactions: the crowd suddenly stopped clapping to surpress the chuckles and giggles that erupted when they heard what Kaede said to their master. The new duchess blushed to the tips of her hair as she tried to get away from her husband's hold on her, but the duke wouldn't allow it. Inuyasha was frowning something fierce at Kaede as he tugged his wife closer to him and threw his arms around her shoulders so she couldn't get away. Looking at the duke, you'd probably be bowing and scraping your apology, but not Kaede. She wasn't even fazed-- or impressed by Inuyasha's frown.

Myouga it seemed, was the peacemaker.

"Now, now His Grace has only gotten home, Kaede. You shouldn't be teasing him like that. Look how embarassed Her Grace is,"