Through My Eyes

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I am dressed in a giant, overwhelming black dress. On my head sits a hat, with a translucent veil that is thick enough to hide my identity, but thin enough to allow me to see through it. Damon is wearing eye-glasses, a top hat and a manly suit that I think used to be my father's. He is also carrying a cane.

It suits him greatly - and the cane makes for great comedy. Peter and I have been teasing 'the old man' mercilessly for hours now, attempting to ignore the shouts of men working around us, bustling boxes and clothes to their destination somewhere outside the house.

Mother has told us that the 'disguises' we are wearing will help us to remain anonymous to any treacherous souls who might see us and decide to inform Emmanuel and his parents. These outrageous costumes will help us travel without identification. Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, I readily accept anything Mother does to help Damon and I, aching to get out of here and begin my new life with the man I love.

Damon swings an arm around my shoulder for the millionth time today. I look up at him and then can't fight a little chuckle. "Damon, you look so funny in a top hat."

Damon huffs. "I know. I can hardly forget; you have been telling me that all day."

I grin up at him, my happiness running wild with the wind.

Damon uses his free hand to chuck me under the chin. "I am glad your mother decided that her actions were wrong."

I snuggle into his side, leaning my head against his shoulder. "Me too. Without her, we would probably still be apart from each other."

Damon sighs. "I know. Let's not be negative today, Eloise. Today is the beginning of our lives. Soon, I will marry you. We will be together forever."

I nod and then look towards the door as Mother strides in, her cheeks flushed, her hair in disarray. She looks at the two of us and smiles. "Right, you two. The coach is ready for you. Eloise, put your veil over your eyes."

I comply with her wishes, standing up straight and dropping my veil over my face. Damon picks up his cane and straightens his suit, obviously unaccustomed to dressing like this. We follow her out of the house, stopping to embrace Peter in a goodbye that says more than words ever could.

The coach is attached to another coach. The one at the back is probably filled with all the baggage the men were hauling around. Mother strides confidently over to the first coach, stopping and taking me in her arms.

I avert my eyes from the horses; it is too painful to look at them. Their shapely bodies remind me too much of my Chastity.

"I want you to be careful. There are people out there who would hurt you simply for the thrill. Do not take the veil off outside the coach whatsoever, no matter what happens. You will stop a few times in order to freshen yourselves up and have something to eat." Mother informs me, looking intently in my eyes. "Do not talk to anybody, okay? Damon will do everything; you need to remain silent. People do not forget the voice of a Duchess' daughter easily. Be careful, my darling. I love you."

"I love you too, Mother." I say as Mother gathers me in her arms, holding me close to her.

This is the most affectionate she has ever been with me. I revel in the moment, smiling into her shoulder, wrapping my arms around her. Just as I begin to get comfortable, Mother steps back, the corners of her eyes shining.

"Go, now. Go, live your life and be happy. Just remember your old biddy of a mother once in a while, okay?"

"I will, Mother. Thank you." I say.

Damon also hugs Mother and then turns to me, lifting me by the waist so I can sit in the coach.

He bustles in after me. As the coach begins to move, I stick my hand out of the window and wave to the shrinking figures of Mother and Peter. When we near the small slope that will extinguish my home from my view, Damon plants his hands on my waist and pulls me to him, kissing the top of my head.