Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 10

Ella woke up feeling stiff, tired and disoriented. She forgot that she had slept on the sofa last night and fell when she tried changing sides. Instead of looking at the other end of the room, she was looking at the ground and cradling her hand that took the burnt of the fall. Cursing her bad luck, she got up.

This was not a unique occurrence. She would often fall asleep while reading and wake up on the floor. Not placing any significance to it, she moved to the bed. Sleeping was so much better when your bed is soft, comfortable and warm. It felt as if someone had kept it warm for her. Thank Lord! She was so tired.

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Two hours later, a very shocked maid found the two of them spooning. She rushed towards the Lord of the manor before someone else informed her. She liked being the bearer of scandalous news. She can tell everyone else below stairs later.

Lord William did not believe the maid and was dragged to Miss Gabrielle's chamber in his night clothes. When he saw a fully clothed Max lying next to Gabrielle, who was also in her night robe, William scolded the servant. After some blackmailing and threatening, he dismissed her.William knocked loudly on the vanity because Ella and Max had slept through the svolding.

Ella opened her eyes to see Lord William standing by her vanity. Sometimes I think I might be crazy. The Things My Mind Conjures! Ella thought before borrowing further into the warm arms surrounding her. The knocking started again but Ella ignored it.

"Bloody hell William! Stop it. I have a killer headache." A groggy and deep male voice said behind her. She could feel the vibrations in her back. It felt almost as if she was sleeping in the man's a............

Shrieking, Ella jumped out of bed. To anyone else it would have looked as if she had been burned.

"Blasted woman! If you want to shout, leave this room." Max said with a scowl before turning to his other side and covering his ears with a pillow.

Last night and this morning came rushing back to Ella. She cursed herself for being so stupid. She turned to William before he demanded that Max do something honorable, like marry her.

"I can explain. It's not what it looks like." Her cheeks turned red when she understood the implication of her words.

"I would like that very much. Please start at the beginning." William said in a calm manner.

"I woke up in the middle of the night because of cold. He was already in my bed. I promise I moved to sleep on the sofa and woke up this morning feeling stiff and tired. I didn't remember anything from last night or was too sleepy so I went to sleep on the bed. Next thing I know you are standing beside my vanity. Don't ask me how he got here or why because I don't know myself." William stared at Gabrielle for sometime before moving on to his next target. He pulled Max's blanket and both pillows.

"Go away! Don't you have something else to do?" Max bellowed at his friend.

"I will and you will too. This is not your room. Would you like to explain to me why you are in Miss Gabrielle's room?" William kept calm despite the fact that Max was scowling.

"I was tired. Emma told me that Gabrielle was worried and kept on roaming the front hall. I knew that you would go to George so I decided to tell Ella of our safe return. When I got here she was sleeping and I was so tired. I fell asleep here. Now give me the pillow." Max said defiantly.

"You fool! I could have been ruined! A servant could have caught you here and you know how they gossip. I don't want to shackled to you for the rest of my life. My father's heart is not strong enough to stand another idiot for a son in law." Ella knew that she should not have called her brother in law an idiot but her self control was slipping.

She knew how her sister had been trapped in a loveless marriage because of malicious gossip. When gossip reached a servants ear, it would spread like fire. They always had a relative working in someone else's house.

"I am leaving. What can a man do to get some sleep here?" Max said off handedly.

"We might have a problem Max. I think you won't be sleeping for a while." William's grave statement caused the headache Max had to become more pronounced.

"What is it?" Max was positive that someone had died. That could be the only reason for his being in Gabrielle's chamber.

"A servant found you like this and came to me. I did ask her to stay quiet but you know how they can be. I am afraid that we will have to discuss this incident in further detail. I will ask the Duchess to join us for breakfast. The two of you should make yourself presentable and think very hard about what you have to do." William gave the two of them a hard look before leaving the bedroom. Max ran after him, calling his name.

It took a few minutes for William's statement to finally sink in. It was as if she was living her worst nightmare. Will she have to marry Max? Ella was positive that she was happy marrying a friend. She was uncertain of how Max will see such a marriage. He would definitely hate her for trapping him. She would never love a man, never trust a man fully but Max still had his chance. Maybe he'll find a beautiful girl who'll love him for himself. Someone with pale white skin and perfect lineage. They will be a happy family. Their relationship will be based on something stronger than friendship. Max still had a chance of finding that happiness and Ella will be the one to make sure he has that.

Hmm... that's new. Ella wants Max to find love and wants to give him a chance to find it. How do you think she will manage it? Do you think the servant will tell others? How will the Duchess react?