The Arrogant Duke

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"Edward," Grace interrupted the quiet walk she and Edward were taking after reconciliating.

Edward had fully explained to her how he and Marcela met. He told her of what their relationship had been like for the past four years that they knew each other as a partner in society, and in intimacy.

It was no secret that Edward and Marcela were engaged, the fact that they had not yet been married stirred the ton even more so. Edward knew that the sudden news of their soon to be separation will surely cause a talk that will lead to speculation after speculation, and Edward had to prepare himself mentally for that.

He wasn't worried about it though, he was more concerned of what people will think of Grace.

The name Grace Hamilton is a common topic that ladies talked of. She was a disgrace - to herself, to her family, and to the Duke she abandoned for another. It was the first time that they'd seen such an obedient and modelled young lady rebel. They had made her name an example of humiliation to set for their own daughters.

"What is it?" Edward asked.

"You are aware that until you have dealt with Marcela, we cannot be together." Grace said in a calm manner.

"I do," Edward agreed, quite disheartened. "But we can still see each other, right?"

"No," Grace shook her head. "We cannot be together, nor can we be seen together. It is not right for us to do so."

"Why?" Edward asked once again.

"Because I will not be able to live my life with you knowing that I am disrespecting your relationship with her." Grace explained. "You have to do what you have to do, and I will not meddle with your business and relationship."

"Simple enough," Edward said coldly.

"You cannot and will not hurt her, Edward." Grace demanded. "She is, after all, the woman who took care of you and cradled you when you needed it the most. You should be thankful to her instead. And so should I be."

"I owe her nothing to be thankful for. She is cruel and self centered. She is a temptress that only wants me for my fortune and title." Edward argued.

"How do you know when you haven't even try and communicate with her? All you've ever done was ravage her for your pleasure and distraction." Grace said. "Not all women are fortune hunters, sometimes there's more to a woman that meets the eye. You just have to listen and understand."

Edward sighed. "Alright, but you cannot tell me when or when not to see you. Believe me when I tell you that I am only sane when you are around me. Otherwise, I am a cold-hearted bastard."

"You were, but everything can change." Grace told him. "So believe me when I tell you that I love you because you are kind hearted and loving."

It will all be worth it, Edward thought. "I love you too."

London, a week prior to Marcela's arrival ...

"Marcela, you are sick. Doctor Phillips ordered you to rest." Andrew Church said worriedly as he watched his daughter assist packing her belongings. "You may visit Edward anytime you would like after the doctor allows you to."

Marcela scoffed. "Papa, if I wait then I may die doing nothing at all."

"You understand that travel is not safe for you at the moment?" Andrew asked. "You are dying!"

"Exactly so, Papa!" Marcela yelled at her Father. "I am dying, so I might as well die in the arms of the man I love than in a room with everyone sad and grievous. I at least want to die in blissful joy than die miserable."

"Do you think he can give you what you the happiness you deserve?" Andrew asked defeatedly. "He doesn't even love you."

"I know," Marcela cried. "But I love him, and that is all that matters. I need to be around him because I fear that every second I span here is losing valuable time and strength that I have no luxury of spending anymore."

Andrew sighed and hugged his daughter with great efforts to console her. "Then go and be happy. Mama and I will be there when the time comes."

"I love you very much, Papa." Marcela said.

"I love you too, so much that it's harder for me to bear than it is for you." Andrew whispered with tremendous amounts fear and pain. "I wish that it could be me, instead of you. You are too young, too beautiful."

"What can we do, Papa?" Marcela hugged her Father tightly. "We could spend all the time there is in the world thinking about it, waiting for a miracle to happen ... but we cannot change what is destined to happen."

"Shhh ... do not say such things." Andrew told Marcela. It broke his heart to hear her say such things that he shouldn't even be hearing from his daughter.

"But we have to accept it because we may just run out of time if we don't." Marcela said. "I love you, Papa."

Andrew feared that it would be the last time he hears her daughter's voice. "I love you too, my sweet, sweet girl."