Claiming What is Rightfully Mine (Walter Deville)

Chapter 6

"But won't father and Lord DeVille catch onto what the plan that I'm leaving the country, if I were to walk by them with my bags packed," Colette questioned.

"I will have that all taken care of. You worry about getting to the ship," Lucia said.

"You trust the help in the house not to say anything to father or Lord DeVille? They would spill the moment father or Lord DeVille catches wind that they know something is going on," Colette said.

"Which is why I'm sending Lulu along with you. I know I haven't always been there for you when you needed me. And it would be a crime to separate you from the woman who has always been there for you in your time of need. I trust that Lulu will always keep you safe. Do keep in mind my beautiful daughter, that no matter what, I will always love you," Lucia said.

"You speak as though it will be our last time together. Once Lulu and I get to our destination, I can write to you, and you can get a ticket and come to us. You too can be free of father and Lord DeVille, and their wrath when they find out that I'm gone. All you have to do is avoid getting in father and Lord DeVille's way, and all will be fine. Lulu and I will be able to get you a ticket and you can start a new life alongside us,' Colette said.

Lucia gave her daughter a sad smile. "As much as I would love that, I'm afraid I don't see any room for myself with you and Lulu. I have already accepted my fate. It's too late to save me. But it's not too late to save you. Just know that I love you so much and am proud of you. That and I will always be with you no matter where you go. Now keep acting like your normal self. Don't give your father or Lord DeVille any reason to suspect something is going on with you."

"Mother," Colette began before being cut off by her mother opening the door and walking back into the room, making her way out and walking to the study to get some quiet time alone. Lucia needed this time to process everything that was going on in her life at the moment.

Lucia walked into the library, grabbing a book before making her way to a chair where she sat reading for a while getting lost in the book.

She had gone this way uninterrupted for a while, until she heard the door open. Thinking it was her husband, Lucia didn't bother sparing a glance to the door as she called out, "I don't wish to speak about what happened at the dinner table, Lucas."

"Then I guess it's a good thing that I'm not Lucas," Walter said causing Lucia to close her book and place it on the table beside her.

"What are you doing in here Lord DeVille? Did Lucas send you to find me," Lucia asked.

"I actually came looking for you on my own," Walter said stepping into the room, before closing the door behind him.

"Well Lord DeVille, whatever you have to say to me, it will have to wait for when you and I are not alone in the study together," Lucia said while getting up from her chair that she was sitting in.

"I think now is the perfect time for us to talk actually. So, why don't you take a seat. Make yourself comfortable. Because this conversation is strictly between you and I," Walter said.

"Lord DeVille, there is nothing for you and I to talk about. So please be kind and remove yourself from the study. I don't feel comfortable with you being in my study alone with me, let alone find it very appropriate," Lucia said.

Walter took a step closer to Lucia. "Tell me dearest Lucia, do I scare you? Don't try and lie to me either. I'll be able to tell when you lie to me. And you won't like me when I get angry."

"What do you want? Didn't you cause enough chaos with your little announcement about how my daughter would make the perfect wife for you," Lucia asked.

"I thought you would be happy with that honor. It isn't every day that a lord comes to your home and says that your daughter will be perfect to become his wife. You should be over the moon that your daughter will be well off. Don't tell me that you don't want your daughter to live a good life. Do you want to risk your only daughter living with someone who can't give her everything that she could ever want? Do you want your daughter to want things that she could possibly never get her hands on," Walter asked.

"I never said that. But I would also like my daughter to marry a man who doesn't suddenly show up shortly after my husband mentions him. It makes me wonder if you two had all this planned out for when you arrived. My daughter had many suitors who had taken interest in her hand in marriage. But every man who had come forward for my daughter's hand, they were always turned down. My husband always said that they were never good enough for his standards. Somehow you met my husband and the both of you struck up a deal. A deal which involves my daughter's hand in marriage. Tell me Lord DeVille, what is it that you gain from my daughter, if you marry her? Surely you didn't pick my daughter because you genuinely love and care about her. You targeted my daughter, because you want something from her," Lucia said.

Walter smirked. "You're right. There is a reason as to why I have picked your daughter. I picked your daughter, because your daughter is perfect. I see her becoming the perfect wife to hold the title of Lady DeVille. That and there is nothing you can do to stop this wedding from taking place. So, you can be a good mother and be supportive of your daughter becoming a lady. There is no stopping this wedding. Your husband has already agreed to this. There is no way to stop it unless you want your family killed, which I will make you watch and then kill you too.