Rory:

I sat in my London hotel nursing a glass of whisky in my hands as the snow cascaded from the sky. I had come to London a few days ago to sort out some of the financial affairs and speak to my lawyer about the estate, I had also hoped the trip would help me take my mind off her.

Cecilia and I had not yet broken the silence that had fallen between us ever since that day but my thoughts still continued to revolve around her. I had thought that the distance might be beneficial but I had been wrong.

I remembered something my mother had used to say when Jonathan and I would ask her if father's trips away made her lonely.

She would always evade the exact question and would reply with the same phrase each time, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." And how right she had been.

I spent my time picturing every detail of her face, remembering every moment we'd shared together, every smile and laugh she had given me. Even the knowledge that she disliked me and our marriage couldn't stop the soar in my heart every time I thought of her.

Today however my mind was intent on recalling every detail about the night of her attack. I felt my stomach churn as the image of her bruised and bloodied body forced itself to the front of my mind. What if something like that happened again and I wasn't there?

I should have brought her with me. No matter that we had been avoiding each other these past weeks, what if something had indeed happened to her whilst I was away?

Endless scenarios somersaulted through my head, she could've fallen down the stairs, eaten something poisonous, been attacked by ruffians in the forest. I felt a wave of nausea pass over me at the thought that by the time I arrived home she could be lying on her deathbed.

My mind was instantly made up. I hurried downstairs to the reception of the hotel and scribbled down a note to my lawyer asking him to write me the last details of the estate as I had been called home urgently.

"Could you have this delivered to 22 Cardinal Street as soon as possible please?" I asked the round faced assistant.

"Right away sir." The man nodded his head and disappeared from sight as I hastily returned to my room to pack my things, I would leave for Clampton today.

**********

The journey home was long and painfully slow but we made good progress overall and were set to arrive at Clampton the next day. I prayed that all would be well as I pulled on a pair of brown slacks and buttoned up my shirt.

I headed down to the dining room of the small inn to break my fast before setting off again. I sat down at my table and was soon greeted by a young looking girl.

"How can I help yer sir?" The small girl fiddled with her fingers looking nervously down at her hands. I guessed it was her first post as a serving girl.

"Could you inform me of what you do for breakfast please?" I asked the girl who looked up at me briefly before quickly reverting her eyes back to her hands.

"Well," the girl fumbled, "We've got eggs, bacon, toast, black pudding, sausage, porridge, fruit," the girl rambled off the list of various foods the small inn offered.

"An egg, toast and two rashers of bacon please," I interrupted the girl offering her a smile. She blushed crimson before nodding her head rapidly and scurrying off to the side of the room and behind a small curtain.

After eating my hearty breakfast I felt ready to resume my journey home. The food had somewhat calmed my nerves to begin with, however, as we drew nearer to Clampton, I felt an ill sense of foreboding rising up in my chest.

I urged Arrow on faster as the tips of Obern forest became visible from the road I was travelling along. The thick layer of snow that covered the track hampered our progress but Arrow ploughed determinedly through, his hooves kicking up a gentle dusting of snow.

I did not allow myself time to appreciate the beauty of the white crisp flakes falling around us as I encouraged Arrow to go faster. I needed to be home and make sure Cecilia was safe.

Why had I ever left for London without her? I scolded myself before trying to reassure my nervous mind that I was simply overthinking things.

I reached the small town of Obern on the outskirts of the forest before long but my journey was yet again hindered as a man came running out of a small shop.

"Your grace!" The man shouted. I turned my attention towards the rotund man waddling towards me and slowed Arrow. My eyes pivoted between the man and the path through the forest. All I wanted was to be home but I had a duty to these people.

"May I help you?" I asked the smiling man who seemed slightly out of breath from his short run.

"Might I say on the behalf of Obern how pleased we are to see you safely home for christmas." Was this really all the man had stopped me to tell me? I masked my face and matched the man's smile.

"That is very kind. I wish you all a merry christmas." My eyes returned to the forest before settling once more on the man as he spoke again.

"Her grace has generously visited my own shop and ordered quite the feast, would you be able to inform her grace that I shall personally bring her order to the manor tomorrow morn."

I raised my eyebrow at the man, it had been a long time since christmas had been celebrated at Clampton.

"Oh?" I questioned, "I was not aware. I will let her grace know of the arrangement though thank you. I hope she found all she needed?"

"Yes I believe so your grace, and might I say how charming her grace is. Quite the perfect duchess, you are a very lucky man," the man's smile broadened, "And her a lucky woman too." He hastily added glancing nervously in my direction.

"I am glad she has everything she needs, indeed I am a lucky man." I smiled sadly, if only I'd realised sooner just how lucky, maybe things would have been different... "If you'll excuse me, I must be returning home before it gets dark, but thank you for your services...?"

"Phillip your grace, Phillip Tines."

"Thank you Phillip," I said sincerely, "And merry christmas to you and your family."

"Thank you your grace, merry christmas." The jovial man smiled at me again before turning around to walk back to his house as I kicked my heels into Arrow's sides before shooting off towards Clampton.

By the time we had arrived at the stables there was a sheen of sweat coating Arrow's fine coat from the tiring ride. I handed my reins over to a stable hand before moving around the side of the stable to the front door of the house.

"Welcome home your grace," Ellis bowed and smiled as I entered the manor.

"Ah, Ellis," I smiled a genuine smile at the old butler, I had missed Clampton. "I trust all is well?" I asked him eager to hear good news.

"Of course your grace. You are returned earlier than we expected though, I hope your visit was a success?" The butler questioned. I felt myself breathe a sigh of relief, indeed I had been fretting for no reason.

"Thank you my trip was indeed a success, I hope Clampton should be back to its usual self within the month."

"That is good news to be sure your grace." Ellis' smile broadened. Now that I was home I was more sure of what I had to do. I needed to start again with Cecilia. I wasn't sure how much longer I could bear to be snubbed by her and I needed to sort this mess out.

"Do you know where I might find Cecilia?" I asked expectantly.

"Her grace left the house not too long ago, I believe she walked in the direction of the walled garden your grace." Ellis bowed once more and I turned on the spot to leave the manor again. A change of clothes could wait, Cecilia could not.

It was as I was approaching the small garden that I heard voices drifting towards me. One of them was Cecilia's but the other was distinctly male. What in god's name was Cecilia doing alone with a man in a walled garden?

The initial anger that rose up from my stomach was replaced with a stabbing pain at the realisation. I moved closer quietly so that I could hear what was being said more clearly.

Fortunately the door to the garden was open so pressed up against the side of the wall I could quite clearly hear the conversation and was able to see something of what was going on.

From my position I could make out Cecilia standing opposite a tall man. I couldn't quite distinguish who the gentleman was but he was dressed well enough to be a gentleman. Cecilia's arms were folded across her chest and she looked uncomfortable.

Surely she should look excited and be in the arms of the man if he were her lover? I froze as I heard the man speak for the first time.

"You must run away with me Cecilia, I love you!" I watched Cecilia rub her arms, she was not dressed appropriately to be out in the thick of winter. I waited, frozen in place, to hear Cecilia's response.

"I have already told you Edward, I do not love you and I will not leave Clampton." So the man was Edward, I should've guessed. But wait, had she not said she would not elope with him, that she did not love him in return?

I felt a sudden surge of hope rush through my chest as I heard her voice more quietly continue, "And I will not leave Rory."

"What has he ever done for you, what has he ever given you that I haven't?" Edward's voice was dangerously low as he continued. "Did you not used to come crying to me about him, he hurt you a lot Ce, I have never and would never hurt you like that, come away with me, you must. I know you love me too."

I felt self-loathing roll over me, I had caused her to run crying to him when she was a child. I was a monster. My disgust was interrupted by Cecilia's response.

"You know nothing of how I feel," her voice cut through the cold air, "And you are wrong if you think that I love you, for I do not." Her voice was cold and harsh and I felt my chest swell again, she did not love him.

"I am sorry Cecilia," I saw a confused look cross Cecilia's face before the colour from her face drained and fear swept over her features.

"W-what are you d-doing?" She asked her body beginning to tremble slightly. What was going on? I needed to see clearer, why had Cecilia's whole countenance suddenly changed so quickly? What was Edward doing? The answer to my question was soon revealed.

"Well my beautiful Cecilia," Edward spoke slowly, "If I cannot have you, than nobody shall." I felt my body numb at his words before I heard the unmistakable sound of a pistol clicking, then I saw the tip of it, peeking out from behind Edward's jacket. Oh god, oh god no.

Without a second thought I rushed from my position against the wall towards Cecilia who seemed frozen to the ground, her eyes trained on the barrel of the gun pointed at her.

"Cecilia!" I shouted in desperation. Her eyes turned to meet mine, terror, confusion and despair written deep within them. Time seemed to stop as I threw myself in front of her, my eyes trying to convey the depth of my love for her as I threw myself between her and Edward's pistol.

I felt the impact of the bullet immediately. The last thing I saw was Cecilia's face as she dropped to the ground beside me before my world was swallowed by a heavy blackness.

Hey everyone,

Drama llama! Hope you enjoy the chapter! Have a great day guys and please keep voting and commenting (over 11K wowww thats amazing thank you!)

Much love

xxx