Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Warren was grudgingly impressed at the way the girl was standing up to him. Deciding to change tactics, he deliberately opted for a brusque tone as he said, “You do know you have a lot to do with the trouble my family is facing?”
Warren’s question had the girl paling. He thought he had finally scared her off for good until she lifted her chin and said, “I know.”
Warren was stunned at the strength underlying the words.
“I know...I’m t-the last girl in the world that the duke should love.” Mary’s voice shook as she spoke the unbearable truth of her relationship with Rathe. “I know, t-that because of me, h-he m-may be made the butt of j-jokes forever. That people w-will always think he took a-advantage of me.”
She looked up at Rathe’s father, willing him to see her determination to see this to the end. “But milord, I p-promise you, w-when I’m b-by your son’s side, he will never feel alone. He will never feel unloved.”
As the girl spoke, the emotions weighing down each word was like a visceral sound that stabbed his heart, killing all of Warren’s doubts until all that was left inside of him was shame.
Despair battered her body when Rathe’s father still didn’t speak, but she continued doggedly, “I know I don’t deserve your son, sir.” Every word she spoke felt like she was cutting her heart open for Rathe’s father to see, piece by piece. Forcing her to meet his gaze, she whispered, “But please let me love him anyway. G-give me a chance, and I will love him so much that nothing the world says would have an impact on him. That’s how strong,” she choked out, “my love for him is.”
Behind Warren, his wife said quietly, “Do you understand now, my love?”
****
Nearly an hour had passed before Mary felt sufficiently in control of her emotions to make herself meet Alyssa’s gaze. They were alone in the mansion’s small library, with Rathe’s father having excused himself earlier.
“You are feeling better now?” Alyssa, seated across her, queried in concern.
Nodding, Mary said tremulously, “I’m sorry—-”
Rathe’s mother shook her head. “No apologies. If there must be one, then it is I who should have said sorry for not going to you first.” Sadness darkened her blue eyes. “I should have known you would be suffering so much—-”
It was Mary’s turn to shake her head. “No, mila—-Alyssa,” she corrected herself when she saw Alyssa’s smile fade a little at Mary’s use of her title. “This...everything...is how it should be. Finding the courage to come here, it was something I needed to do.” Flushing at what she was about to say, Mary explained, “I n-needed to do something to m-make myself b-believe that I’m strong enough to fight for Rathe.”
“And are you now?” Alyssa gently.
Slowly, Mary nodded. “I am.” A ghost of a smile touched her lips. “I used to think that because of my age, I wouldn’t ever find the guts to do certain things. But when I thought about...” Unreleased sobs had her inhaling and struggling to get more oxygen into her lungs. “When I thought about life without Rathe, I just realized I would never be able to live with myself if I didn’t fight for him with everything I’ve got.”
When she raised her head to meet Alyssa’s gaze, she was stunned to find Rathe’s mother quietly crying. “Alyssa, I’m sorry—-”
“No.” Alyssa shook her head fiercely even as more tears fell. “You misunderstand. These are tears of joy. You don’t know how long I’ve prayed to have someone like you love my son. And now that you’re here...” Impulsively, she reached forward to grasp the girl’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Whatever you need, my child, I will help you.”
The words were exactly what she needed to hear. “Then, Alyssa,” Mary said haltingly, “could you tell me if you really meant what you said before?” She almost lost her courage then and there, but she told herself there was no turning back.
“What I said?” Alyssa echoed with a frown.
“Yes.” Even as she felt her lips drying with fear, she made herself ask the question. “Did you really mean it when you told me you believe Rathe loves me?”
The words, combined by the terror glittering in Mary’s eyes, almost made Alyssa ache to comfort the young girl, and there was only one way to do that.
“I’m going to tell you a story, Mary.” The shameful secret she was about to share made Alyssa want to hide, but for her son, she was willing to do everything.
“There was a time when I was really poor. I had no parents, no family. All I had was myself. And my determination to survive. The first time I met Warren, the chemistry between us was instant, explosive. It was a whirlwind romance, and we were married right away. But I didn’t love him then.”