Chapter thirty six
That went genuinely peacefully unlike every other part of the lunch. He used the next moment to pour himself a glass of Scotch.
"Coming straight to business," Stephen moved the cup away from his mouth so the words could be made, "I would like to take my brothers home with me thank you."
Just before the Duke could reply to the hidden order, Raymond decided to be of help and bring his brother back to reality, "You can tell father we are not done with the Duke."
Smartly, every other person kept shut to allow the brotherly chatter to continue. The potential King had lowered his cup from his lips and was staring at it as though there was something inside. "Well baby brother," he raised his eyes to look at Raymond, "I brought our cousins along so you'd fathom I don't take trips like this unless I mean business. You're coming home, whether or not it suits your plans."
Okay that was it...
Philip decided to spoil the family meeting, "Well, Your Highness. Before you come to my home to threaten my friends, let me inform you of my latest belonging. It's a mastermind killing machine, straight from Scotland. Your cousins will not be a problem for her even when she's drunk."
"And I suppose this is the red haired devil Lord Edward mentioned," the Prince smiled the question.
"Well speak of the devil," a feminine voice declared from the doorway. Although it came from behind him, Stephen knew too well who to expect.
***
Monica Maitland strode into the lunch room with her usual ritual and of stamping boots, an innocent grin plastered on her face.
Stopping right by the table, she pulled back a seat right beside the Marquess of Bellingham. Without giving attention to the eyes coming her way, she slumped into it, rested her back on the support and raised both legs upon the dining table, one crossed above the other. Damnation to who she offended. Now she was here...she would love to know what they were talking about that brought her name into it.
It did excite her really!
Unlike his friends, Stephen seemed pleased to see her. His smile never weathered, and now he realized they even had matching eyes...
"Monica Maitland," he rasped while he drank in her beauty.
The Scottish smiled at his words and poured rum into a chalice. Fully satisfied with what she was seeing, she nodded, "Oh your Highness. I have heard many things about you. I must say I find you very attractive."
That stole a laugh from the man, "It's exceedingly mutual my darling."
Her friends were gawking at her in surprise. It was fine to be the most flirtatious lady they knew, but then flirting with the supposed enemy was off the list.
And there was no one more annoyed that Philip. "Monica. This man plans to force his brothers home with him,"he said. That talk should bring her back to her senses.
But then this lady was not done striking his nerves one by one. In contrast to the reaction he expected from her, she smiled, "Ahhh my prince. That's some formidable guts you have. But I must say, with me here, that would be sadly impossible. I do have another option though."
Okay now she was back in line.
Abraham Barewell put down his goblet in plain annoyance and leaned forward so he could pin his gaze on her, "Lady watch your tongue. What gives you the right to give orders to the future King of England?"
Monica sighed and kept silent, taking one small sip of wine. It surprised her friends that she chose to ignore...
"Why not tell your blabbermouth of a friend to shut his fangs or I'll put a dagger through his skull," she posed the statement to Stephen.
Now that was the Monica they knew...
Abraham opened his mouth in utter shock, before he closed it shortly afterwards. But then he opened it again and this time, to speak.
The eldest Prince raised a hand to stop him before blatant words came out of him. Now his attention returned to the lady who he had been studying since, "Give us your second option Monica."
Having finished her drink, she placed the cup down and lowered her legs from the table, "As a matter of fact, the King's palace is our destination as well. The only problem is we may not join you at the moment. Why not stay with us and two days from now, we'll all travel together. And by God, what a flamy trip that would be. Your purpose is accomplished. So as ours."
Time passed.
The entire Anfield clan had their nervous gazes on the Prince of England, waiting, hoping and praying his response would be delightful.
The man still had his eyes on the lady with his mind straying in thought, "And what do I do here while waiting for that day to come?"
Monica was sure she had gotten a favourable answer already. In that way, she went back to her flirtatious drawl of words, "Ahhhh...in the meantime, we can get to be very good friends." She winked at the man.
Jason scoffed inwardly and rolled his eyes away. Shameless woman.
"I agree," the Prince gave a warm, approvingly smile.
***
Fergus Ellivey buttoned his robe, ignoring the sulks from the lady in his bed, "Don't worry darling. I promise not to kill you brother if he does as told. I just need the seal.
Anna still lay quiet and shocked, her mind striving to think of many things all at once, none which made sense compared to the situation she was in. She lazily eyed the bed covers for the umpteenth time, soaked red by her own blood.
She couldn't believe he just...
While the Earl dressed to leave,she watched him, a defeated look on her face. Her gaze travelled from the man to her naked body. That was when a drop of tears dropped down her cheek, although there was still no sound from her lips.
Suddenly, she heard the clicking sound of closing doors. He had left her for her brother and his allies after managing to ravish the truth out of her as he swore he would.
Their mother had warned Philip, she thought. But he didn't listen to his head. Emotions led him, and now everything had suddenly gone wrong.
The worst part was... her brother was totally convinced he was in the right.
***
Earl strode to and fro on his terrace, sipping from his coffee just to clear his mind off things. Automatically, his eyes dropped to the lawn below and he saw something that made him gawk in astonishment.
When did Monica make peace with her cousin.
Days ago, they almost jabbed each other with eye daggers and tossing accusations about who did and did not kill Micheal Aflong. And now...
Now while the Scottish was loading her horse, Elizabeth came by with a plate of cake...handing it to her?
The Marquess would have been surprised if Elizabeth was anyone normal. Because no normal woman would tolerate her betrothed going horse riding with her overly beautiful cousin, let alone bake them a cake to enjoy along the way.
He studied them chat on for a while, a worried frown on his face.
Anyone seeing the aura between the two would swear in God's name that they'd never argued once.
Elizabeth seemed to be advising and assuring the restless looking Monica on a matter he so wanted to know about.
The shock in the Marquess's eyes had not left, not until Monica gave him a thorough explanation of what was going on. But then a negative feeling befell him; what if Monica wasn't who she appeared to be?
After the chat was over, the lass mounted her white horse, giving it a jog trot to where the Duke had been waiting.
And the shameless Elizabeth watched them leave through the gates with a smile on her face!
Now it seemed his impatience couldn't wait for the Scottish to return.
Now as matters were, happened to be he and Lady Aflong were going to have a little bit of some chit chat.