Chapter fifty five
Monica knew she was running out of time; her restlessness had just increased now that her movement was restricted to within the borders of the estate.
And then the new marriage date was approaching.
For the first time since her imprisonment, she looked at the doors with obvious intentions. After taking deep, necessary breaths, she strode to them and shoved them open.
Her strides doubled, then tripled...until she began running upon the marbles. Dark hallways, galleries, stairs, foyers and even more stairs before the Duchess's drawing room faced her.
That was the point she realized she was insane. Well she was that a long time ago, wasn't she. Monica had smiled at the thought and finally gone through the doors.
Seems mother and daughter were deep in a serious conversation...
Rebecca rushed to her feet in what looked like fright.
Anna however, frowned disapprovingly at the lady before them.
But the frown turned to something lighter and slightly confused when Monica fell to her knees in the humblest of poses she'd ever been in.
"I assume you're very similar to my mother," The Scottish began with an obvious tone of sadness, "And you were right about hating me from the very start."
Rebecca was calm now, although surprised she was listening to this very possible shenanigan. "What is your point?" She muttered coldly.
"My point is...I realise I cannot gain your son's trust if I do not gain yours," she replied, "and as outrageous as it sounds, I need your forgiveness."
At that point, Jason came in through the doorway to meet the scene. He was glad he didn't need to stain his ego because right now, he was certain she was sincere.
***
"The plan is simple. You will help me flee," The Scottish declared in a matter-of-factly tone. With a small smile on, she paced up and down the drawing room, not minding the glares coming from the three before her.
The Earl of Vetcom was seated in an arm chair, in one of those poses that showed he led at all times...or assumed to.
With a hand rubbing his stubbled jaw, he arched a brow, "It seems I forgot how insanely your pretty mind works."
"And why are you so sure we trust you," Rebecca added with genuine shock.
Before Monica replied, the lad helped out, "No, I actually do. But then I do not see where her plan is taking us."
"I follow it quite fine," Anna stated with a hand gesture. "But then," she frowned, "why are you so concerned about Philip believing you?"
Good question, Monica nodded in agreement. Why was she so concerned? Oh love was such a damned thing. Telling the ladies about the entire charade with Elizabeth's murders and her spike with Philip would surely take more time than she had to spare, "I will tell you all that when I return. What is important now is how to sleep through the walls and the guards of the empire and out this house arrest."
"That won't be a problem," Jason looked up at her, his lips drawing into a thin smirk, "I have just the perfect trick. First of all, we have to be sure you could survive a jump down this mansion"
Monica returned the smile. However insane the plan was going to be, at least they believed her.
***
"So I happen to be the unfortunate lad you plan to trap as a husband," Earl shot her a look capable of sucking the life out of anyone.
While Elizabeth gasped for air and tried to maintain eye contact with those blue, cloudy eyes of his, she found herself stuttering, "You are well aware neither your friend nor I will be happy in that empire as a couple as far as..."
"So you'll be happy with me," he now smirked teasingly, pulling his charming flirt face on, "I am flattered."
The blonde almost smiled back, "I can't take that as a yes, can I?"
He did not respond for a while, his gaze still searching hers.
Finally, he leaned closer with his hands joined upon the desk, "Look...as much as I'd love to rid my friend of his current dilemma, I do not trust you." He steadily rose from his seat now, "And the poor lad knows no other woman on this goddamn planet. It hurts like hell to say this but you are his only option."
He surely did not expect her to be smiling at him the way she was now. When he raised a questioning brow, all she said was, "Monica has that under control."
And his mouth dropped open as slowly, the plan came out to his full understanding. But now, he wasn't given time to react like he should have.
The grey haired butler stepped in again and bowed slightly, "The Duke sends word Milord. You're needed in the estate."
The Marquess glanced at him, back to Elizabeth, then to him again before he began rounding his desk.
Upon reaching the doors, he remembered the lady.
With one impatient move, he turned back to look at her, "Are you coming or not?"
She smiled in her seat and raised herself to stand. Rather than anything expected, she swayed around his desk and slumped into his head seat, much to the Marquess's shock.
After she let her fingers savor the table for a moment, she rasped and smirked till it reached her eyes, "I'll stay here. Best learn about my new home before we get married."
What in the heavens...
Earl just gawked.
These women were surprising him lately. But by God, he did not have time for this. After shooting her his last dose of eye daggers, he walked away alongside his butler.
"Just like her cousin," he muttered, "Darn woman."
***
Ever so slowly, Monica pushed the double doors open. When they creaked, she cursed under her breath ad paused. Afterwards, she stalked forward, her eyes glaring around for any possible threat in her path.
It was coldly empty and quiet, proving Jason had done as he promised.
With the Duke's consent, a game festival was ongoing just on the fields of the estate, involving the entire Forland clan, their staff and a few more. She hoped no one would maybe leave his arrows home and return for it.
Well things could turn out ugly.
With tapping sounds, her boots strode along the dark corridors in careful, cautious steps. And while her attention settled everywhere, she was almost certain no life was in sight. But then...
"Hey you!" She heard someone bark from an adjacent doorway. A gasp escaped her parted lips, oblivious of what to do.
For a long agonising moment, she gawked at the guard several feet away and watched him approach. By God, she knew she had no idea on how to flee unnoticed now.
Her legs stalked backwards now. However...
A hand came upon the guard's head in a hard blow. Before she could look up to find who it was, she knew it was Jason. Now the uniformed man fell unconscious and crumpled to the Earl's feet.
"It does not wipe away the memory," Monica whispered angrily, "nor does it help shield my escape!"
Jason saw the obvious sense in what she said while he watched the guard's body limp on the floor like that. Still, he wasn't going to let her get that satisfaction now,was he, "Well it's very probable he'll get up and presume he's been dreaming. And...you're welcome."
With a roll of her eyes, they parted ways and she headed towards the Duke's office.
Monica wasn't aware of the beads of sweat on her forehead as she looked at Philip's door, or her increased breathing when she realized he was not alone.
Earl's voice ringed and echoed again and again. Raymond was muttering to himself, Peter was blaring curses underneath his breath; and Timothy? Although he wasn't saying anything, she didn't need a maggi to tell her he was there to complete the gang. Only heavens knew what the discussion was about.
Her grip went over the sidearm on her hip while her legs stepped over the threshold and into the office.