“We’ll be there,” Michael said, nodding his affirmation.
They all waited through the rest of the day on pins and needles, waiting to enact their plan the following morning. They made polite mealtime conversation, doing their best to be gracious houseguests.
After dinner, Duke Northcott cornered Celine over nightcaps, having a private conversation with her while Theodore and Celeste insisted the Carlyles join them in a card game. The Duke’s constant hovering over Celine distracted Michael but he did his best to remain engaged so as not to cause any suspicion.
“Good evening, Celine,” Duke Northcott said, blocking her from continuing toward the couch.
“Duke Northcott, good evening,” Celine said, giving him a fake smile.
“How fortunate we were that your father was called away early.”
“Fortunate?” Celine questioned.
“Yes, it has allowed me the good fortune to enjoy your company for two more nights than I should have.”
“How kind,” Celine said, trying to take a step toward the center of the room.
Duke Northcott blocked her again, stepping to the side to prevent her from moving.
“I must confess that kindness is not the primary motive.”
“Oh?” Celine asked, playing innocent, knowing full well where this was likely headed.
He rubbed a finger against her cheek. “Oh, Celine, you must realize how beautiful you are.” Celine smiled at him but did not respond. “And you must be able to see how enamored I am with you.”
“I imagine with all your travels you have had the good fortune to meet many beautiful women,” Celine said, dodging the statement.
“None that have set my heart on fire as you have,” he said, his eyes piercing hers with intensity as he closed the distance between them.
Celine wasn’t sure she could take much more without becoming nauseated. This man repulsed her, yet he gave her no reason to react this way. Still, she could not shake the perception, it was rooted deeply inside of her. “Oh, Duke Northcott, you mustn’t speak this way.”
“I am sorry, Celine, I know you may find it improper but I cannot help myself.”
“We’ve only just met,” Celine said, putting him off again.
“It does not matter, I am a decisive man, I know what I want. Perhaps we can steal away for a more private conversation?”
Celine had no desire to be alone with this man beyond what was needed for her plan. She had to think fast. She swayed on her feet, feigning unsteadiness. “Celine? Are you ill?” Duke Northcott asked, catching her as she swooned. The other men jumped to their feet.
“Oh, I am so terribly light-headed,” Celine lied, throwing her hand across her forehead in a dramatic motion.
Celeste rushed across the room with Theodore. “Perhaps you should sit down for a moment,” she said.
Theodore poured a small glass of brandy and brought it to her. “Here, Celine, drink some of this, to steady yourself.”
Celine accepted the glass, taking a small sip. Celeste stroked her hair. “Are you feeling any better, my darling?”
“A little.”
“Perhaps she should go to bed?” Michael suggested.
“Is that necessary? She said she is better,” Duke Northcott commented.
Celine stood. “Yes, I am feeling…” her voice trailed off as she collapsed to the couch, continuing to feign her illness.
“I think you may be correct, Mr. Carlyle. Perhaps the best thing would be rest. Celine? Celine,” Celeste said, rubbing her hand, “are you able to walk to your bedroom?”
“I’ll help her,” Michael said.
“Surely you do not expect her to walk,” Duke Northcott said. “She almost collapsed. Stand aside,” he said, pushing between Damien and Michael. “I shall carry her.” He lifted Celine from the couch, carrying her from the room as Celeste scurried in front of him, opening doors.
“My poor Celine,” he said as he carried her through the foyer and up the steps.
“I fear your forthrightness has overwhelmed me, Duke.”
“Please, call me Marcus. My sincerest apologies, but I am a man who speaks his mind.”
She smiled at him as they reached her bedroom, more so because the experience would soon be over than from his comments. Celeste pushed the door open and Duke Northcott gently laid her on the bed.
“Thank you so much. What a bother I’ve been,” she said to both of them.
“Not at all. Please get some rest, Celine. I hope you are soon recovered.” He kissed her hand.
“Yes, thank you, Duke, I’ll take it from here,” Celeste said, prompting him to leave. He closed the door behind him. “I think he fancies you,” Celeste said, helping settle Celine, removing her dress and getting her nightgown.
“He scarcely knows me,” Celine said, wobbling on her feet, trying to keep up her ruse.
“Oh, that doesn’t matter. He’s a man who knows what he wants.” Celine rolled her eyes. “I know how to read a man. He fancies you, Celine. It would not surprise me if he offers marriage soon.”
“We shall see, Celeste. Now, I am exhausted, I’d like to get some rest.”
“Of course, sister dear. I hope you are feeling better soon,” Celeste kissed her forehead and left her to sleep.
Celine lay in bed, unable to sleep at first. The events of the night rattled through her mind along with the letter’s warning. She hoped the plan worked and the Carlyles soon found that book. She wanted to rid herself of this man as soon as possible and she was not looking forward to their conversation the next morning. Celeste may be correct and if so, she wanted to avoid that situation at all costs. Still, she had agreed to help, and was determined to carry out her end of the plan.
Settling her nerves, she dozed off. When she did, Duke Northcott filled her dreams. He pursued her relentlessly, calling to her as she ran through the house trying to hide. He told her there was nowhere she could run, nowhere she could hide that he wouldn’t find her; that he would pursue her to the ends of the earth and beyond.
Chapter 27
The following morning arrived, although not soon enough for Celine. Michael and Damien met Celine in the hallway. “Are you feeling better?” Damien asked.
“What happened last night?” Michael added.
“I am fine. I must confess,” she whispered, “I was not sick. I just wanted to rid myself of that dreadful Duke and his advances.”
“Oh,” Michael said, glancing at Damien. “Maybe we should forget about today’s plan.”
“No, absolutely not!” Celine said, raising her voice above a whisper. “You must find that book. We continue as we planned.”
They all agreed to the plan one final time before heading to breakfast. As Celine entered the dining room, she found Duke Northcott already at the breakfast table with Theodore. He stood as she entered the room. “How much brighter my morning has become,” he said, holding a chair out for her to sit. “It’s as though a ray of sunshine has entered the room.”
She smiled at him as she sat. “You are too kind, Duke.”
“I trust you are better?” he asked her.
“Yes, I am much better. Thank you.”
“I arrived early at breakfast today in the hopes of being the first to ask for the pleasure of your company on a morning excursion. It appears though that I may already be too late,” he said, glancing at Michael and Damien who had entered the room with Celine.
“Oh,” Celine said, trying her best to flirt. “No, you are not too late. I have no plans as yet.”
“Then you’ll accept my invitation?”
“With pleasure. I enjoy morning walks.”
“Wonderful, I look forward to the conclusion of breakfast with enthusiasm.”
Celine smiled, risking a glance to the two men with whom she shared the secret plan. She then returned to eating her breakfast, trying to maintain a neutral expression.
At the end of her breakfast, Duke Northcott offered her his arm. “Shall we, my de
ar?”
Celine accepted, standing from the table. As she stood, Michael and Damien also stood, excusing themselves. They followed Celine and Duke Northcott to the foyer, watching them as they passed out the door. Celine gave one final glance back to them. Michael winked as she disappeared out of the door.
Celine walked into the bright island sunshine. “What a beautiful morning,” she said, trying to make pleasant conversation.
“The beauty of the morning pales compared to yours, Celine.”
“Oh, Duke Northcott, you flatter me too much.”
“Please, call me Marcus. I speak only the truth. Certainly you are accustomed to the attentions of men.” Celine gave a nervous smile. “I know you find me too forward, yet your beauty compels me to be so.”
They walked through the garden, Celine took the time to admire the flowers. “I fear I may be giving you…” she began, trying to curb the discussion before it went any further.
“Celine, please,” he said, stopping to face her. “I must speak to you frankly even if it overwhelms you. I believe that we are an excellent match. I can provide you with a life of great means and position. As my wife, you would want for nothing.”
“Oh, Duke Northcott…” she began.
“Marcus, please, Celine. I am a far better match than the ill-bred American who has his sights set on you.” When Celine didn’t answer, he continued, “I can offer you something more, something that he cannot. Furthermore, I can provide you with something else that he cannot.” Celine met his eyes. He turned her toward a gazing ball which stood in the middle garden. She saw their reflection. Standing behind her, he put his hands on her arms, his head next to hers. “You are a stunning woman. What if your beauty could last forever?”
“But it cannot,” she stated.
“That is not true. Celine, I can offer you a life of status and position and so much more. I am a powerful man, Celine, in many ways. I can offer you more than just a lifetime, I can offer you an eternity.” Celine knit her brow, not understanding the whole of his comment. “Eternal life, Celine. Eternal youth and beauty.” He traced his finger down her jawline. “I know you know of what I speak, your Aunt Genevieve made you aware of the dark arts. But with my instruction you can become a powerful entity. And together no one could stop us, together the world will beg at our feet.”
Celine watched his face as he spoke through the mirrored gazing ball. The circular ball twisted and distorted it, making it almost gruesome at times. His breath on her neck made her ill and his grasp sent icy shots through her. Her mind raced to the letter, the warning that she had received. “All you must do is say the word, Celine,” he said, fingering a lock of her hair. “Say the word and the world is yours.”
“But at what cost?” she whispered.
“No cost that should concern you, my dear,” he said, kissing her neck. “Now, Celine, will you say yes?”
“No,” she exclaimed, setting her jaw and trying to stand firm.
He smirked, giving a small laugh. “I am not a man accustomed to hearing the word ‘no,’ Celine.”
“I’m sorry, Duke, but that is the only answer I have.”
“Oh, Celine, think carefully. I know you find my affections too forward but I am offering you the opportunity of a lifetime. Marry me, Celine, become my wife.”
She spun around to face him. “I said no!” she said defiantly. He grasped her arms tightly. “You’re hurting me!”
“You are being a fool. I suggest you take some time to give my offer more consideration. Perhaps to consult your sister, Celeste, who certainly has more experience in these matters.”
“I have my own mind, my answer is no.”
“I advise you to reconsider. I am not a man you want as an enemy,” he said through clenched teeth.
She struggled, twisting away from his grasp. She backed away from him before turning to run to the house. “I can offer you the world, Celine,” he called after her. “Don’t be a fool.”
Celine ran to the house, shutting the sunlight out with the large wooden front doors. She was breathless and tears spilled from her eyes. Celeste was making her way down the stairs. She rushed to Celine, taking her in her arms. “Mon chérie, Celine, whatever is the matter? Are you ill again?” Celine clung to her, sobbing. “Oh, my darling, let me take you to your room to rest.” Celeste helped her up the stairs. She was too bleary-eyed to notice Michael and Damien slipping from the Duke’s room and into their own. Celeste was too concerned tending to her distraught sister to have noticed them either.
Celine collapsed onto her bed, catching her breath as Celeste stroked her hair. “Now, my darling, please tell me what has happened to trouble you so.”
“Duke Northcott has proposed marriage.”
“Oh, Celine, that’s wonderful news! These are not tears of joy?”
“They are not.”
“Why ever not? He’s quite the catch, many women have tried and failed to catch his eye.”
“Celeste, there is something amiss about him, something wrong.”
“Wrong? I don’t understand.”
“Yes, wrong. Celeste, he told me he could offer me eternal life, he said he could make me powerful enough to rule the world at his side. These aren’t normal things, Celeste.”
“I’m sure he meant that he is an incredibly powerful man. He is well-bred. He possesses a fortune and good position. He is fifth in line to the British throne! It would be a very good match if you became his wife, Celine. You would want for nothing. You would be the toast of society.”
“No, he told me that but then he told me that through the dark arts he could offer me more.”
“Celine, you’re being childish. It is a good offer, take it.”
Celine was skeptical, eyeing Celeste incredulously. The words from the letter she had received echoed through her mind. Do not trust your sister, Celeste. Celeste continued her lecture, “You grew up with no mother, and I tried to be the best substitute, yet I know I was not a suitable replacement, but even so your behavior is untenable. You must settle at some point, you cannot continue this childish behavior of refusing to even consider suitors. Furthermore, the Duke’s offer is something to be grasped at, not avoided. Few women can claim such prizes.”
“What of love?” Celine asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the Duke’s promises.
“Love is for children’s books and fairy tales. Appropriate marriages are never begun based on love. Love will come later, when you are settled and provided for.”
“He was rather violent with me, Celeste. When I refused him, he grabbed at me, I think he bruised my arm.”
“Is it any wonder? I’m certain he’s not used to being told no, assuredly not when he is making such a generous overture. I’d say he showed incredible restraint.” Celine didn’t answer, she was frustrated and feeling betrayed. Celeste stood up, handing her a handkerchief. “Dry your eyes and make yourself presentable. Spend the afternoon in serious consideration of your life. This evening after dinner, I expect you to accept the Duke’s offer.” With her final comments made, she left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Celine wiped her eyes and used the washbasin to splash cold water onto her face. She fixed her hair and tried her best to cover her red eyes and nose. When she was presentable again, she peeked into the hallway, hearing and seeing no one, she tiptoed down the hall and tapped on Michael’s door. Within a few moments, the door opened, and she darted inside.
“What happened?” Damien asked, rushing to her.
“Did you find the book?”
“No luck,” Michael said, “we searched high and low, not a trace of it. What happened? You were crying when you came back.”
“I’m fine, I was just, ah, shocked.”
“What happened?” Michael pressed.
“He proposed marriage. He wasn’t happy when I turned him down.”
“Did he hurt you?” Damien asked.
“Not much. Although I did not give him an opportuni
ty to do worse.”
“Is your sister asking him to leave? I saw her with you, did you tell her?” Michael questioned.
“Yes.”
“And is she asking him to go?” he pressed.
“No. She has advised me to accept his offer and would like me to do so this evening after dinner.”
“What? That’s crazy!” Damien said. “He’s deranged, why would your sister want you to marry someone who hurt you?”
“She thinks he showed considerable restraint in not doing more. I do not plan to change my mind, no matter what she says. I will skip dinner this evening so as not to cause any scenes.”
“We’ll be here for you, Celine. We’ll make sure you’re okay,” Michael said.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling up at them. “Please excuse me, I would like to lie down. Since I plan to avoid dinner, I will see you tomorrow morning.”
“We will check on you later. Get some rest,” Michael said.
Chapter 28
Michael and Damien made their way down to the sitting room for cocktails before dinner. They found themselves met with only the men, both ladies conspicuously absent. Theodore apologized for the lack of beauty in the room with Duke Northcott commenting that the ladies were likely fussing over their clothes or hair. The gentlemen shared a laugh over their brandy. After several more moments, Theodore excused himself to check on them.
Heading upstairs, Theodore overheard arguing coming from Celine’s room. He announced himself at the door before entering. Inside, he found Celine in a dressing gown and an exasperated Celeste in her eveningwear. Upon seeing the scene, he bellowed, “What is the meaning of this?”
Celeste breathed a frustrated sigh. “She is not coming to dinner, she claims she’s ill.”
“Ill?” He turned to Celine. “Is this true?”
“Yes, I’m not well, rather woozy, in fact, I thought it best to stay in bed and not disrupt the meal in case I should be overcome by another episode like last night.”
“You’ll disrupt the entire household even further if you continue with this childish behavior,” Celeste scolded her.
Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) Page 25
