What do I say?
That I fell in love with a man who could never choose me for who I am?
Cecilia turned to him, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m all right, brother,” she lied again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Yet, her thoughts remained suffocating. She tried to convince herself that it was for the best, that perhaps her feelings for him would fade quickly over time, but each denial stung like a fresh wound.
Nathaniel leaned forward, his frame tense with worry. “You don’t look all right. You looked… sad.” His honesty pierced through her façade, and she bit her lip to hold back tears. He sighed, “Cece, about the duke-”
Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt, causing everyone to bump up from their seats and turn sharply, confusion flooding their senses.
“What just happened?” Cecilia asked, her heart racing noting they were no longer moving. The abrupt stop sent a ripple of tension through the carriage, and her brothers exchanged worried glances.
The carriage man’s voice carried through the window, muffled but urgent. “There is… someone… is… stopped us!”
Cecilia’s pulse quickened. Panic bubbled inside her, and she fought against it, trying to maintain composure.
Robbers, perhaps?
“Tristan, what’s happening out there?” Her voice trembled as she clutched the edge of her seat, her heart racing faster with each passing moment as the carriage suddenly felt like a cage.
“Stay calm, Cecilia,” he replied, his strong frame rising from his seat. He moved swiftly to the door, his brow furrowed in concentration. “I’ll see if I can pick up on what’s going on.”
“Do not open it yet, brother!” Nathaniel warned, eyes wide with worry. He remained close to their grandmother, who clutched him tightly, her frail hands shaking. The old woman’s silver hair glimmered in the dim light, her eyes wide with panic as she whispered prayers under her breath.
“Shh, it’s alright, Grandmother,” he murmured, trying to soothe her. “We shall be fine.”
Suddenly, the muffled sounds from outside grew louder, voices rising in urgency and Cecilia’s heart sank as dread filled her thoughts. Her breath came in short, frantic bursts. Her mind raced with horrifying scenarios—visions of being dragged away, of never seeing her family again. She pressed her palms against her chest, willing her heartbeat to slow.
Then, amidst the chaos, she heard it—a voice that sent a jolt through her.
“I must see her… Cecilia!”
It was unmistakable. Alistair’s voice, deep and urgent, cut through the noise like a beacon.
“It’s Alistair!” She turned wide eyed to her brothers, her voice rising with hope, “He’s out there!”
“Why would the duke be- Sister, wait!” Tristan shouted, but before he could act, she had sprung to her feet, her heart soaring as slipped past him with speed, her long hair flowing behind her like a comet’s tail.
“It’s the duke!” she yelled back, her eyes wide with determination.
“Cecilia, no!” Nathaniel called out, his voice laced with panic, but she was already out the door.
The air was cold and despite the sun struggling to let it’s streaks reach the ground, and there he was. Alistair stood a few paces away, his tall frame silhouetted against the pale backdrop of the winter landscape.
His dark hair, tousled by the wind, framed his angular face, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to shine brighter in the cold light. As he sighted her, a smile broke across his lips, illuminatinghis features and making her feel as if she were the only one in existence.
Am I dreaming?
“What are you doing out here, Your Grace?” Cecilia called out, her voice cutting through the crisp air as she climbed off the carriage completely. She lifted the hem of her dress, yet giving hardly a care in this moment about the snowy ground dampening it.
Each step felt heavy, the snow crunching beneath her boots as she made her way toward him, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and confusion. However, that moment halted as Alistair’s expression shifted, frustration stretching across his face.
“And there it is. You really have no sense of decorum, do you?” he began, his tone sharp and unyielding as he walked up to catch up with her. “A lady should know better than to trod carelessly in the snow like a wild thing.”
Cecilia’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “What do you mean? I came out here because you?—”
“The very first moment we met,” he interrupted, his voice rising slightly, “I knew you would be nothing but trouble.”
