Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 18

Max made sure that the inn owner paid handsomely for his mistake. He threw a tantrum over every little mishap, making everyone around him nervous. By the time we left the next morning, every employee at the inn was at their wits end. We reached London the same day.

Max's London townhouse was frequently used, properly staffed and large in size. It was decided that Max and Ella would entertain the rest while Brandon and William will share lodgings at an inn.

Within a week everyone was in London helping Ella plan her first ball. The men had left that morning to find out about Lady Malcolm's kidnappers. Lord Bradford went to the gentlemen's club last night and was still missing. Ella knew that her sister was bothered by this and remained quiet on the matter. Ella hoped that her prayers were answered soon, before the baby was born. She wanted her niece or nephew to have a loving father.

The women were all gathered in the Pink Room. They were taking tea while the guest list was under discussion.

"I want Lady Martha to come. That gossiping harpy always said that my nephew would never marry like his aunt. I will show her. My nephew married a perfect girl and her daughters are still without husbands." Aunt Amelia glared at the guest list as if it was Lady Martha.

Ella realized that Lady Amelia's daughter must have been born out of wedlock. She now understood why Max mentioned no husband, only daughter. If the previous Duke of was like the rest of the aristocracy, then he must have made life hard for his niece. No wonder everyone hated him.

Ella was unsure of how she felt towards her new Aunt now. Lady Amelia was a remarkable woman. If having a child out of wedlock never changed anyone's opinion of a man then same should be applied to woman. She decided that she would always give Aunt Amelia the same respect as before she found out. It was not as if the woman was trying to hide the fact.

"I want Bradford's mother to come as well. She thought that my sister will have to get pregnant to trap a man. Apparently, she was more darker than I was. In her books, her blood was more polluted than mine." Bella said with distaste.

"If we are inviting people that we hate then I want my cousin to come. I want him to see Will court me. According to him, someone like me could never marry well." George said with a laugh.

Ella was stunned. George was a pure white beauty of perfect birth and had a title. Every man must be after her.

"But George, why would he say such a mean thing? You are perfect." Ella could not stop herself from saying it.

"My dear, this society is full of hypocrites who want you to fail. They will stand on the sidelines and wait for you to make a small mistake. My mistake was being free spirited. No man wants a wife with a brain and will." George laughed as if it didn't matter. Seeing the confusion on Ella's face Aunt Amelia gently explained.

"Everyone here is a vulture. They wait and watch. As soon as they see something that they can make you feel inferior for, they descend. They try to make you so miserable that life becomes hard. I know that you have been targeted for your skin. We have been targeted for something that seems innocent to your eyes but they know how to twist everything. I am not going to lie to you dear. My nephew is no innocent but these so called people of ton will try to make him sound like a scoundrel. Your true test will be when you hear bad things about your husband. I know that there will always be people who will try to damage your relationship with my nephew. Just remember that they are no one of importance and he's your husband. At the end of the day, it's only the two of you and your life. Will you let those wagging tongues affect your relationship?" Aunt Amelia took Ella's hand into her own before pulling her to sit nearer.

"I know that the two of you do not love each other but you will fall in love. Rumors of his past mistresses might not bother you now but one day they will. When that day comes, remember, he choose you. You gave him a way out and he never took it. He wanted you, he choose you over all those woman and he did this when he thought of you as a friend. I raised him my dear. I know that once he falls in love, once he stops resisting, he will make you the happiest woman alive." Ella felt the wetness on her cheeks and saw Aunt Amelia's tears. Somehow, she had figured it all out. Ella knew that she could fall for Max and she knew that she would become possessive. Aunt Amelia gave her the advice that might save her relationship with Max.

"Thank you. I needed to hear that. I'm so sorry for all that happened to you. I think you deserve everything that was taken from you and your daughter." Ella saw Aunt Amelia's face turn stone cold. She replayed everything that happened in the last two minutes to know why Aunt's mood changed so suddenly.

"I am glad she's dead. At least in death she will find peace and acceptance. I loved my child to pieces but I don't regret her dying. She was already a shell of the girl that she was. My baby would have spend the rest of her days with constant nightmares. I would know, I still have them." Aunt Amelia stood and left the room before Ella could say anything. She heard another door hit a wall. She saw Max's retreating back as she looked at the second entrance of the Pink Room. Brandon stood by the door, looking at Ella with pity.

What? What is this? Another secret? What could it be?