Ordained

Chapter Forty-Five

Cassius found himself up with the sun, pacing a track in the carpet as he waited for the day to begin. It was far too early to go down for breakfast, Emmeline wouldn't be awake yet and he knew it would look odd if he sat there for hours waiting for her.

He tried to look at the work spread across his desk, but his concentration was shot. With a frustrated huff he threw the report he was holding down with unnecessary force.

He was restless, wanting to start his day and yet not wanting to settle to anything. So, he paced. All night he had been replaying his exchange with Emmeline by the lake, how defiant she had looked storming away from him, her determination when describing stealing tie backs, her expression when she thought he was pushing her away. Guilt spread through him like poison, deadening him on the inside till he felt like he could hardly breathe.

Just when he thought he could take it no longer, another memory burst behind his eyes, the feeling of her in his arms as he held her. The smell of her hair as he pulled her in close.

It was maddening, and he knew that sleep would elude him till he had spoken to her again.

He had tried to at dinner, but she had remained silent the entire time, her eyes downcast as his parents prattled on about nonsense.

The compensation had put a deadline in place, and he hated it. He needed more time with her, more time to... well he wasn't sure what, but he wouldn't find out if she left. Their time together would only be as long as it took for Mr Olivers to draw up the papers. Mr Olivers. He dwelled on thoughts of the old man, wishing he could blame him for this business, but knowing there was nothing he could do.

Unless there was.

With a burst of impulsive energy Cassius threw himself out of the door and sprinted for the library. The few maids that were up looked up in alarm as he whipped past them. Mr Olivers liked Emmeline; had gone out of his way to be kind and help her.

As he exploded into the library, ignoring the tutting sounds of the distrusted stewards, he looked all around for the greying tufty hair, spotting it on the mezzanine above bumbling along the shelves.

"Mr Olivers!" He called, hearing the distinctive sounds of a book being dropped and muttered curse words.

"Who- ooo your grace!" He sounded back, his head appearing over the edge of the balcony above with a look of surprise.

Cassius powered up the stairs, the genius of his idea pushing him onwards. "Mr Olivers-" He gasped slightly out of breath. "Are you drawing up the papers for Emmeline's compensation?"

Mr Olivers' face went from confused to disappointed in an instant. With a heavy sigh, he nodded.

"Good. Don't."

The older man seemed to take a moment to try and understand what he was being told before he frowned. "Sorry?"

Cassius swallowed. "I'm asking you not to draw up the papers. Forget, or just take a long time doing it. Or perhaps find a complication. Anything, just, just-"

Mr Olivers gave him a long look. "Just find a way to keep Miss Elva here a little longer?" His tone was cautious, like someone afraid to poke a sleeping bear.

Cassius nodded with relief. "Yes, but Father cannot know."

The two men exchanged a meaningful look where Cassius tried to express how badly he wanted Emmeline to stay, without words.

Slowly Mr Olivers began to muse aloud. "I suppose it would be prudent to check if the law says anything about exchanging money between ordained pairs. Does the giving of gifts equate to a marriage contract?" He began to muse aloud thoughtfully.

"I would only be doing my duty if I took the time to check the old laws around the pairing." He winked a wrinkled eye at Cassius and a flood of appreciation filled him.

Shaking the man's hand he smiled widely. "Mr Olivers I am grateful."

The old man nodded sagely, a boyish look of mischief in his eyes.

"Just doing my due diligence, your grace."

...

It was with a pep in his step that he headed leisurely towards the smallest dining room for breakfast. 

Tapping his fingers lightly against the table, he drummed a cheerful tattoo until the doors opened behind him. Emmeline looked sleepy as she wandered in, half heartedly waving a hello at him as she took her seat. It was adorable. Their plates arrived almost at once, the staff well used to the new breakfast routine that had sprung up between them.

"You look lovely today." He noted lightly. Emmeline glanced up at him a little suspiciously, but said nothing. Taking the coffee he pushed in her direction, she held the warm cup with both hands close to her chest; eyes scanning the paper wordlessly. The front page was splashed with speculation about a call for troops and images of towns ransacked. If her pinched brow was anything to go by, Emmeline found the news just as troubling as he did.

"What are your plans for today?" Cassius asked as he finished his plate, reaching for the replenished cup of coffee that was instantly placed in front of him.

Emmeline stopped reading the rest of the paper, folding it and pushing it away. "I may go and see the artwork in the ballroom. Clementine tells me it is quite a sight. Or I may ride Orion, as Artemis was ridden yesterday. Or I may retire to the library and finish my book." She considered her options aloud somewhat hesitantly, still unsure if she wanted a day of him following her, after their precariously peaceful breakfast. Emmeline may have appreciated his compliment just now, but she wasn't so stupid as to think Cassius Marcellus was capable of being pleasant all day. She had only seen him be kind during short stolen moments and doubted his ability to keep it up for extended periods.

"I know the artwork well. I could give you a tour." Leaning back in his chair, his suit showed off his impressive frame, and although his smile was warm there was an undercurrent of challenge that sparked something in her.

The morning was spent with Emmeline cautiously enjoying the sensation of not being alone, whilst also waiting for Cassius to turn unpleasant. He had been nothing but courteous, even cracking a joke here and there, but she still found herself waiting for the other shoe to drop. The art works in the ballroom were indeed worth seeing, and she was grateful for Cassius' commentary as they walked around the vast room studying them all. It was like having her own personal tour guide.

"Is that you?" She asked, lightly amused as the image of a young dark haired boy nestled between his mother and father. Carmen and Victor both looked younger, their expressions a curious mixture of aloof but content.

Cassius groaned. "Yes. I had this picture moved from the grand foyer to here because I couldn't stand to look at it each morning." With his arms crossed over his chest she couldn't help but think him handsome even when he was pouting.

"I think you look adorable." She cooed, teasing him and pleased when he responded. Unfolding his arms his dark expression lightened a little as she nudged him. "You should have left it up. Now I shall have to come all this way when I want to see it."

Cassius rolled his eyes. "I hardly think it a good idea for the heir of the Marcellus duchy to be seen as 'adorable'." He drawled the last word in a way that had her laughing.

Holding up her hands she mimed surrender. "If you insist, your grace." She laughed over her shoulder, heading for the warmth of the library. 

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Author's Note:

Well people it's nearly Christmas and I'm feeling festive. I think I'll do some quicker updates over the festive period- what do you think?

S x