The Duchess of York

Margaret- Morning

I slowly opened my eyes, my head hurt. I was definitely hungover, what happened last night? I looked around the room I was in, to my right was a bedside table with a bottle of water, in the corner of the room I saw my suitcase. Dominick had passed it to me last night when I had started my bath, I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I thought about how he had looked at me. Dominick had basically given me whiplash yesterday, hell my own emotions were all over the place, I wanted more, I just didn't understand why. My head was pounding as I slowly turned my head to the left. Dominick. He was sitting in a chair placed next to the bed, he had circles under his eyes and his arms were crossed. The glare he sent me made me crash back down to reality, good to know we were back to normal. I began to sit up but two strong hands were placed on my shoulders, again I looked at Dominick who was still glaring at me as he laid me back down. What was his problem? I opened my mouth to speak but he covered my mouth with one of his hands, he passed me the water bottle, while still glaring at me. Seriously who the hell did this guy think he was?!? Before I could give him a piece of my mind he pointed at the water he had passed me.

"Drink" His voice was hoarse, he looked exhausted, why? I did as I was told, more out of curiosity than obedience. I tried to pass him the water but he shook his head, we had kissed so what was wrong with sharing a drink? It sounded like he needed it. A knock at the door caught my attention as a man I vaguely recognized walked in, I tried wracking my head for a name but the man just pulled out a stethoscope.

"Ah Mrs. Collins you are awake. Good. I don't know if you remember me from last night but I am Dr. Stone, do you remember last night?" He put the stethoscope to my chest, listening to my heart than to my lungs. Last night. I remembered the wedding, the kiss, the shots, the dance, the shots, the bath. What happened after my bath? I looked at the doctor and then to Dominick, he still looked pissed. Did I do something weird? I eventually shook my head, and made myself look back at the doctor.

"Hmm well first Mrs. Collins I suggest that you don't drink for at least a week, I know you have a honeymoon you are looking forward to but you seemed to have had too much last night. You passed out during your bath. Your husband broke down the door and performed CPR, by the time I got to you were stable, thank goodness, but it could have been worse." The doctor explained to me as he looked me over, I looked at Dominick my eyes had to be as wide as saucers! He had saved me? God he had seen me naked! I felt slightly woozy as my brain processed the news.

"I.. I am sorry" I looked between the two men, the doctor smiled at me kindly and began to walk out.

"Mr. Collins if you need anything else please don't hesitate to call." Dr. Stone said as he shut the door, I looked back at Dominick who looked like he was ready to explode. I glanced over to where the bathroom door was and sure enough it had been destroyed. I cleared my throat and was about to speak when I felt the bed dip next to me, I whipped my head back to Dominick who was kneeling on the bed next to me. That of course was a bad idea, I groaned in pain as I held my head in my hands. I closed my eyes and felt a warm hand on the back of my neck, I opened my eyes when Dominick helped me lift my head, he put the water bottle back to my lips and helped me sip at it. For a few minutes we didn't say anything, he encouraged me to drink the water, and I didn't protest. Dominick broke the silence first.

"Your mother is a piece of work" I choked on the last bit of water that I had just started to swallow, Dominick smirked.

"What I mean is when she learned that we weren't consummating our marriage, and you almost died." He paused and frowned like he didn't like the taste of something, his hands no longer helping

me drink water were now clenched into fists by his side. He looked like he was in pain, I wanted to help so I reached out one of my hands to his, he looked down at where we now held hands and began

to speak again.

"Your mother threw a fit, for a moment she was convinced you were faking it. Your father had to drag her from the room with the help of your friend." He looked pissed again but it didn't feel like it was directed at me, I nodded my head slowly imagining my mother shrieking as Jas yelled at her right back. I flinched, well at least Dominick had seen the full crazy that was my mother, maybe he could understand why my parents had so easily agreed to an arranged marriage.

"Margaret." I looked up at Dominick and I felt warmth sweep over me as our eyes met. His eyes stormed and I almost got lost in them, his jaw was clenched, and I had to restrain myself from putting my hands on his cheeks. I wanted to calm him down. I bit my lip and his eyes darted down to my mouth, I hadn't realized I had been leaning towards him until for the second time that morning he put his hands on my shoulders and laid me down.

"Sleep a little longer." Instantly my eyes started to close and I dreamed of Dominick's soft lips on my forehead. It was too intimate, too sweet to be real so I allowed myself to fall in the dream.

"Thank you Dom"