Chapter fifty nine
The Duke found himself in a mix of feelings. Admiration. Wonder. Gratitude. Love.
And slowly, he let go of his own sword and widened his arms invitingly, "Then get in here before I change my mind."
Damnation to her spine and ego. Monica let tears run down her cheeks as she half ran to the lad.
Jason was smiling in admiration.
Anna and Rebecca felt a new warmth in their hearts.
The Princes were nodding approvingly.
Earl Robinson burst out laughing in mirth as he let the scene rage his mind.
Speaking of happy endings, Earl suddenly had a frown on before, later on, he started across the snow.
" Where are you going?" Asked Raymond worriedly.
The Marquess faced his friends one last time to say, "Anywhere apart from here. While getting too engrossed in such a beautiful scene. I forgot the vessel for bad luck I left at home who'll soon become Marchioness of my empire."
"Good thing I'm married," Jason smiled, "who knows she may have chosen me for such a suicide mission."
Earl Robinson stopped walking and glanced his way, harbouring a look dark enough to reign terror, "Okay you lads are horrible when it concerns to showing a bit of comfort."
" Oh please," he heard a voice snarl from behind him.
After he had turned around to find Philip, he tilted his head with narrow eyes, waiting patiently for the Duke to blabber an insult.
Which he did, "Are such words coming from a man who was throwing jokes around at my dad's funeral?"
Earl refused to reply. Rather, he tightened his lips, looked them through in frustration and continued sinking his shoes in the snow. Nothing worse than being played at your own game.
***
"It is going to be the grandest event in the whole of England," Elizabeth declared dramatically while her eyes pointed up to the heavens, her hands spread in the most demonstrative way possible. "A double betrothal," she continued, "you and I Monica."
Monica frowned as she looked at the other woman, twitching her lips as though slightly irritated, "I can't believe the Marquess actually agreed to marry you. I mean what did you say to him?"
The blonde was offended by the remark. By now, she quit the show and glared, one dark enough to scare anyone who was not her cousin, "Am I that distasteful?"
The Scottish just shrugged innocently without a word, letting her figure the answer out with the look she gave her.
A moment followed without a single word from both lasses. To Monica's there was nothing to say.
But Elizabeth had something in mind, "I was thinking of coming clean." She shrugged, "I mean now that everything is settled, it's best I let the Duke know who had a hand in all the murders. "
Monica cast a look of pure, disapproving shock. But if the decision displeased her, she didn't show it. With a smile of admiration, she tried to meet her cousin's gaze which was bowed coyly with her head." The outcome will be ugly, " she replied and crossed her arms," but know I'll be there for you no matter what happens. Earl as well. "
When Elizabeth nodded with genuine understanding, Monica continued, "He's having coffee on the lawn. Go talk to him, I'll join you later if he happens to go off the edge."
"What are the odds he'll kill me," the blonde muffled sadly, fearfully.
Monica laughed to her surprise, but the words that came later on sounded utterly genuine,"You should see what he did to me while we fought, just because he refused to lose to a lass. Who knows, he might just forgive the one who killed his father."
The tone of sarcasm was clear enough, but Elizabeth chose to do it anyways, a task harder than what she'd ever know.
***
A month later,
To start with, Elizabeth was still very much alive even with Philip's knowledge of her deeds.
But something inside her died ever since she confessed. It hadn't gone smoothly, that she expected. Philip had glared at her for a while without a word. But when he did try to make words, he found tears instead.
Now, the blonde closed her eyes as she remembered everything that had happened a month ago. Had she made a wrong choice in making that confession? The negatively life-changing decision that had made her conscience kill her right after the outburst Philip had made.
Right now, she heard his words in her head, of him narrating the entire story of how he'd trusted her blindly and almost married her. But now…
"Elizabeth. Elizabeth…"
Oh dear, now she even heard his voice calling out her name. But as she chose to ignore it, it rang again and again in her ears.
The blonde frowned when she realized the voice in her head sounded louder…or in better words, real!
It was real!
She turned around to face the caller who somehow share a voice with the Duke of Anfield. Because surely it wasn't going to be him after all she'd done to…
Oh it was him.
He stood by the doorway with his eyes avoiding that of the lady seated by the hearth. Now she faced him, his voice suddenly died.
Seems he still found it difficult to glance at his father's murderer without the urge to kill her running through his veins; something he'd spent an entire month trying to fight.
Instead of surprise, Elizabeth felt fear at this point in time. Her lips quivered while waiting for his next words.
"We need to talk," Philip stuttered finally with a tone of finality bathing his voice.
***
"I have been receiving a bit of some counseling," the Duke had switched positions and now sat upon Earl's desk with his eyes on the blonde. Philip took his gaze alternately from Monica to Earl who were in the office with them for obvious reasons.
"And I have come to consider two main points," he continued.
Now his dark frown softened pleasantly, although his eyes still had a disturbing vibe, "First of all, I appreciate your honest confession. Despite the trouble you knew would come with it, you came clean. And I believe with it came your repentance…. Secondly," Philip stopped to manage a weak and emotional smile at the Scottish damsel he deeply admired, "If he hadn't passed, I'd not be Duke by now. And if I hadn't become Duke, there'd be people I'd have never met," he felt warmth in his chest as the Scottish smiled. Sighing, he refocused on Elizabeth, "There would be that flamy trip to London I'd have never encountered and knowledge I'd have never acquired. So find it genuine when I say…thank you. "
Elizabeth was about to release a nostalgic snicker when the Duke added," But I will not ignore the significant effect my father's death had on me and my family. So along with my appreciation, I'll give a punishment. "
A pin drop could be heard in the silence that followed; a tense, hopeful, anxious silence. One Elizabeth knew she needed for the words that may follow.
" As I'll promise not to tell my family the basis of the punishment, " the Duke sighed, looked up and stated," For a whole year, you will pledge allegiance to serve my people, my clan, especially where my father's rites are involved. Under the crude scrutiny of Monica. Although I'm sure it's going to be a nutshell for you…"he grinned widely," you'll learn! "
Earl raised a brow in confusion and what looked like displeasure," She is going to be my wife Your Grace. A whole year! "
" Oh visiting time is allowed during the day and she gets back to you at night time," the Duke explained," I did not give you this because I enjoy seeing you suffer Elizabeth. Rather I feel I should get used to you despite knowing your misdeeds. A year under my roof should help. "
Philip Forland stood now and straightened his thick, black coat," You start work two days after your wedding with my friend here. And just to make sure you don't die of boredom, your cousin will be more than happy to keep you company. "
The Marquess frowned helplessly before turning to look at the blonde. He didn't like it, but he respected it," I'm sure you can handle it, right darling."
Elizabeth smiled, studied him, then turned to His Grace with a submissive curtsy," If it takes an eternity of my service to gain your forgiveness, then I would be more than happy to…"
" She doesn't mean that," Earl rushed to say as he came to stand in front of her protectively," a year will be fine. "
The Duke laughed before turning to the woman he loved, "In that case," he glanced back at Earl and teased, "Let's get married then."
***