Chapter 20
1026 Words
Cecilia
“Where were you yesterday?” Leon asked me.
I sat in my room reading my latest poetry book and I shrugged in response.
“I was out.”
“Obviously Cecilia.” Leon said with a snarl, “but where?”
I sighed and looked over at him. “I was in the nearby village, visiting the town folk and getting some fresh air. I spend far too much time trapped here.”
“You had no right to go without telling me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Should I write out my itinerary for you next time? Should I leave breadcrumbs for you to follow my trail too?”
Leon stormed into my room and towered over me. “Don’t mock me Cecilia. You are my wife. I have the right to know where you are going.”
I bit my tongue holding back from arguing with him further. I didn’t want to continue to argue with him, not when he was glaring at me and standing over me.
I took a deep breath to settle my anger and then nodded. “Of course. My mistake.”
Leon continued to glare at me but his shoulders relaxed, which was a good sign because that meant he wasn’t on the verge of throwing something at me.
“All I wanted to do was get some fresh air Leon. The town’s people haven’t seen me in a while.”
“I don’t care.”
“I know. But you should. We have an image to maintain.”
And with that I knew I had him. Leon was all about appearances, and we had kept a pristine, happy appearance for a while.
He looked at me carefully, as if trying to see if I was faking my interest in our appearance.
But in truth I was not. I didn’t care for him or to benefit him, I cared that if he felt safe about our appearance then he wouldn’t question my whereabouts. If he were able to back off just a bit, then I would be able to spend more time with Gabriel.
The thought of him sent shivers up my spine. The entire day I hadn’t been able to stop myself from reminiscing our time together. I never knew that he could make me feel like I was on fire. Those hands that had held mine when I cried, the arms that cradled me in my darkest moments and eyes that shone with kindness were now the same things that made me want him like a man.
He still had the ability to make me laugh and feel safe with him which was so odd. All while he kissed and touched me I giggled and felt light in his arms, it was the oddest but most beautiful feeling ever.
It was a feeling I had never thought possible.
Leon cleared his throat and I snapped out of my haze.
“We will be attending the opera tomorrow night,” he declared. “Wear the cream dress.”
I scrunched my nose. I hated the dress, it made me look like a curtain, but I nodded.
“Is that understood?” He asked. “My parents will be joining us so be on your best behavior.”
I gritted my teeth but only nodded again and waited until he left the room to roll my eyes.
Why was he like this?
Why did I marry him? How could I have been so naive to let my mother decide for me?
I hadn’t heard from my mother since our debts had been paid off by Leon and his father. She was probably out enjoying the social season and spending her money all throughout Spain.
I felt alone, I had no mother and no family to stand with me. All I had was myself and I had to face Leon and his parents alone.
Tears pricked my eyes but I blinked them away. There was no way I was going to let my situation break me. I was stronger than this and now I had something in my life to look forward to.
I had Gabriel, I had his kisses and his touch to make me feel alive and wanted. I had never felt wanted but he made me feel like a woman; a strong woman capable of everything. He was my friend and my lover, even if it was in secret. He was a Duke and I knew that when he fell in love and married, our entanglement would be over.
I had to enjoy him while I could, I had to rejoice in the way he made me feel because I knew it wouldn’t last.
“My Lady, the bath is ready,” a maid said at the door.
I had never seen her before and she must have registered my confusion because she smiled. “Sophie is not feeling well my lady. It will be me for tonight.”
“Is she alright?” I asked, Sophie never got sick.
“I believe so. I’m sure she’s just tired.”
I nodded. “If she were to need more time to rest she may take it.”
“Thank you my lady, but my lord had declared she gets tonight only.”
I gritted my teeth. Of course Leon wouldn’t let anyone rest for more than a night. He showed kindness to no one.
I followed the maid to the washroom and let her scrub me clean. The entire time I thought of Gabriel. I was sure he’d be at the opera, and I knew I’d talk to him. I wanted to spend more time alone with him and tried memorizing the layout of the theater so that I could think of a place we could hide.
Leon would be watching me like a hawk but if I behaved, wore the dress he ordered and acted like the fool his parents wanted me to be, then I could go a couple of minutes unnoticed.
I just hoped that fate would be on my side and give me the opportunity to be in Gabriel’s arms again.
- Writer
