THE DISAGREEABLE DUCHESS

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"Colin," called Olivia, who just finished redressing herself, properly.

Colin stands up from where he was sitting, still flustered himself, of what they've done. "Have you thought about it?" He asked.

"About what? About us having s*x?" Olivia turned bright red with the term, but still continues. "We're both adults, we both know that it was an honest mistake. We were barely conscious, Colin."

"But what if... You're with child?" He slyly asked. "What are we going to do?"

"We've come to terms that we wanted this," holding her stomach. "We both want this, don't we?"

He nods. "But are we ready?"

"Who's ever ready, Colin?" She asked, making a point. "We're here, together. If we do have a child, we both know that we'll be great parents... We're here to support each other, at least I'm here, are you?"

"I'll never ever leave you," he kissed her forehead. "And if we do have a child out of this, I'll be here to support him or her all the way, with you."

Olivia smiled. "Now, why don't we forget that this ever happened and eat breakfast? I'm sure after last night's liquor brawl, you'll be very eager to have some tea or coffee."

"I'll have my coffee strong, without any milk or sugar." Making sure that he's widely awake for whatever else happens.

The next few days remained the same, they never spoke a word about it. They forgot that it all happened, agreed that it was a mistake and made it clear to themselves that they would be friends no matter what, and friends shall they be.

Today, they decided to head to the small village, north from where they were. There were only two more days left before the carriage arrives to take them home. They were both anxious to go home, but they knew they'd be fired with a thousand questions by Magnolia and Cecilia.

"Are you ready?" Asked Colin, who was leaning against the bedroom door frame.

"Yes." Olivia grabbed her coat and started walking towards Colin's direction. "Let's go."

Colin allowed Olivia to step out of the bedroom before following her himself.

The walk was short with their fingers entwined with each other, they enjoyed looking at the sceneries and praise whatever was praiseworthy. Colin and Olivia agreed that they enjoyed the small amount of time they've been here.

"Do you see it?" Asked excited Olivia, who let go of Colin's grasp and ran towards the small village market.

"Olivia, wait!" Yelled Colin, but he had no choice except follow her before he loses her in sight.

She was running freely, like she was alone. She forgot about Colin or that they came here together. Olivia enjoyed visiting small market areas, she found it adventurous and different with each one she'd go to.

The market was completely different from the one she previously visited in London, here in the village, it was rowdy and items were displayed, not kept behind thick glass walls. She first laid her eyes on a toy tea set which she knew Tara would love, it was fun and inexpensive, so she brought out her purse and gave the man a pound. As she was accepting the toy from the man she'd just paid, Colin appeared beside her, out of breath.

"Don't you ran off like that again," he scolded, though Olivia couldn't care less about it.

She started walking again, but this time, she wrapped her arms around grumpy Colin. Looking around for more items to give, Olivia saw the prettiest necklace that she knew would perfectly fit both Magnolia and Cecilia. "Don't you think it's lovely?" Asked Olivia who picked the necklaces up.

He was calmed, knowing Olivia was safe by his side. "It's wonderful, is it for you?"

"No, it's for grandma and Cecilia." She replied. "Do you think they'll like it?"

"They'll love anything that comes from you, Olivia." Reassuring her.

Olivia then hands the necklaces to the lady who's awed by Colin's handsomeness. "We'll take these."

"Are you newlyweds?" Asked the lady.

"We are." He replied, wrapping his arms around Olivia's small waist. "We're here for our wedding night."

Shocked, Olivia looked up to him and saw the beautiful smile that Colin offered the lady. "No," she disagreed. "We've been here for almost two weeks."

"That's wonderful!" Exclaimed the lady. "I hope that you live a good long life together, have fun."

Olivia was a bit disturbed with Colin's actions earlier that day, she knew that he's been showing signs of possession. But shopping went on, she bought everyone presents, including her father, David.

She didn't buy anything for herself though, she spent every penny she had for family. She even bought Colin a silver pocket watch as a wedding present. For the rest of the family, she bought a few more toys, ceramics, jeweleries and a box of tea that's imported from China according to the man.

When they reached the cottage, it was almost dark. They had bought a lot of boxes from the village and was even more eager to go home and share it with everyone.

Among the things they bought, were a few bags that contained groceries. Colin insisted that he cook for them for dinner, even though he swore never to touch another pot a few nights back.

Tonight, he was going to attempt to cook roast beef with grilled vegetables. He even bought wine, nothing too intoxicating, unlike the last time they drank.

Olivia, on the other hand, stayed away from the kitchen to let Colin do his business. She was in the bedroom, preparing and packing their things for their last night in the cottage. Tomorrow night, the carriage will arrive to pick them up and bring them home.

Colin called for her almost two hours later for dinner. She almost fell asleep waiting.

What was waiting for them in the dining table surprised her. Colin prepared a small, candle lit dinner for the two of them.

She was touched.

He then offered her an escort to the dining table which she then accepted. Colin even pulled her chair out for her and served her tonight's dinner.

"Wow," she exclaimed. "You raised my expectations tonight."

Colin felt proud for himself. It was the first time he'd cooked for someone with so much care. "It is beautiful, presentation wise..." Then he stops. "Though I can't say the same for taste."

Olivia giggled and picked up her utensils, cutting the beef with her knife and slowly tastes it.

Colin was anxiously waiting for her reaction. She was chewing it slowly, and wgen she did finish the small portion she said. "It's good."

Colin's smile widened further as he helped himself to his food, taking big bites at a time.

After dinner, Olivia finally saw what Colin had to go through to cook a meal for her and himself. Pots and pans again cluttered the kitchen sink, and Colin's hands were filled with cuts and burns. She smiled even though it was a lot of work, the thought of his efforts and excellency was enough service for her.

"Why don't you go to the bedroom and wait for me? I'll tend to your cuts." She offered.

"No," he disagreed. "I'm the one who's going to serve you tonight."

"Just go and wait for me, I'll be quick." Olivia gave him a glare that he avoided, and with that, he exited the kitchen.

Olivia sighed loudly. "How did he manage to use all of these?" Picking up the dirty pans that scattered on the floor.

She finished an hour later and left the kitchen spotless.

She headed to their bedroom with a bowl of hot water and a towel for Colin's wounds. She smiled, Colin fell asleep sitting at the edge of the bed, waiting for her. Carefully, she walked and sat beside him, gently lifting his wounded hands. She saw how many cuts he got and the burns that covered most of his skin. Gently, she patted the wet towel across his skin, without waking him up.

After almost bandaging the enitirity of his two hands, Colin stirred but didn't wake up. His body slumped onto the bed and even Olivia, which startled her a bit. Colin was in deep sleep as always, and again, his arms were automatically wrapped tight around her waist. She was unable to struggle free, Colin's head was pillowing her chest and even his legs refused to let her go.

Tonight, she was once again defeated by an unconscious man. So she just surrendered and placed herself in their usual sleeping position, with her hands wrapped around him as well.

It was hard to sleep, feeling Colin's warm breath across her chest. His face was completwly burried in between her chest and wondered how it got there. She felt embarrassed, though.

"Annabel, it doesn't have to be this way. There's a place called Gretna Green, we can always go there." Said Colin, he looked worried, frustrated. "You don't have to go."

"I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind." Replied Annabel. "Colin, I love you very much, but you can't let me choose between you and my family. I'm going to America. I'm sorry." And just like that, she turned to face him away.

He knelt down, holding on to the skirt of her gown, tearing. "Please," he begged. "Don't leave me."

But she pushed him away and continued walking. "I'm sorry." She whispered, without looking back.

Colin woke up with his breath raspy and his body covered in sweat, he was having a nightmare. He looked around to see Olivia sleeping under his hold, still asleep. He sat up, setting her free. Judging from the sun shining up in the sky, it was almost noon. They slept throughout the morning. "Olivia," he gently shook her. "Wake up."

She silently groaned, rolling at the edge of the bed.

"Olivia, it's almost noon." He said quietly.

And with his words, Olivia bolted out of the room and went to the kitchen.

Olivia was still able to whip themselves a huge brunch and snacks on their journey. They returned everything in place, even the washed sheets that covered the furniture.

A few hours before sunset, around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the carriage arrived to take them home. All their trunks were quickly loaded by the coachman as Olivia and Colin took their last walk around the cottage they spent two weeks at.

"It was fun while it lasted," commented Olivia.

"It was," Colin agreed. "I never thought it would be, though."

"After a strange courtship and wedding, I think I've seen it all."

The coachman caught their attention and nodded as he said. "We're all set and ready to go."

"We'll be right out."