Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 25

"That's just not fair. How can a man be so stupid?"George whined loudly as she poured tea.

"Not so loudly. The servants might overhear and you know they talk amongst themselves. The whole ton will know my marital problems by next week." Ella was sure that at least 3 of her servants had their ears pressed to the door at the moment.

"But man are. You all saw how idiotically William behaved and he's the smartest man I know." Emma countered with a wicked smile on her face.

"Don't ever repeat those words in company. People would think you are a suffragist. You still have to marry. What I don't understand is, why is my marital life under discussion? Can't we discuss the weather like normal ladies." Ella picked up her tea and the book she was reading. She tried to dismiss the matter.

"Because we can see that the two of you are avoiding each other. I thought you were starting to fall in love. Max deserves some happiness and you are just the woman for him. him. I just want the two of you to be happy." George gave Ella a pleading look. Ella huffed in irritation, it looked as if nobody was listening to her.

"I tried George, it made things worst. I don't want to make matters worst by trying something else." Ella whispered.

She was already hurt by Max's rejection, she didn't want to hurt more by investing more of herself. She kept on thinking back to the incident in the carriage. What did she do? She wanted to know that one wrong move, the one that damaged their relationship so much. She came up with nothing.

As soon as they got home that day, Max decided to hide in his study. He avoided Ella like a plaque after that day. He started sleeping in his study, he would change his clothes after Ella left the room. Ella wished that she and Max had different rooms like normal Lords and Ladies. At least Max would sleep on a bed that way.

"I know. I don't blame you. I am just saying that you need to try something else." Bella spoke up for the first time. She had been listening the whole time.

"What? I don't want to be rejected again." Ella could feel the tears in her eyes. She sniffed and tried to push them back.

"You never told us what happened that day. At least give us a hint." George clapped her hands and started jumping on the sofa.

"It was nothing. Just a kiss. How many times do I have to tell you? There's nothing to tell." Ella blushed At the memory. She felt bothered and hot every time she thought back to it.

"I know how overwhelmed woman become after kissing Max. I have been hearing about his kisses since I was a child. I know it was not some chaste kiss so stop making it into something platonic." George teased mercilessly as Ella turned tomato red. The other women laughed.

"I have an idea. Is Rose still in residence?" Bella asked her sister.

"Of course. Max is still trying to find a shop for her." Before Ella could stop speaking, Bella was already making her way to the servants bell. The rest as they is history.

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Bella made her way to her brother in law's study. She had seen the look on her sister's face yesterday. It was obvious for all to see that the two of them were in love. But apparently the stupid man was fighting some unknown monsters.

She believes in giving someone time to sort themselves out but she knew that Ella's presence might make the fight easier for Max. Love made things easier. She was started to learn this. Lord Arthur had been her rock there past days and Bella knew that she was falling for him. She also knew that they could never be together. The ton would never accept their marriage and no man crossed a group of powerful men. She learned that the first time she fell in love.

"Sister, what a surprise! How can I be of service?" Max ushered Bella into a seat opposite his table. Making sure that she was comfortable he sat behind his desk.

"Why are you sleeping in your study? You promised to look after my sister and care for her." Bella thought there was no sense in beating about the bush. She saw Max's eyes widen. She saw fear before they became emotionless.

"I do care for your sister and look after her. Why are you asking? Has something happened?" Max remained unreadable. Bella started to rethink her strategy. Maybe she should have been tactful.

"She is hurt. She thought that the two of you were happy in each other's company. Don't ignore her Max. I don't know what happened when the two of you want shopping but she felt closer to you. You abandoned her right after." Bella knew that she was not good with words. She wanted him to understand Ella. She wanted them to be closer.

"I offered her companionship and nothing else. She cannot grow too close to me. I'm poison. You know what happened to....." before Max could continue, he was interrupted by Bella.

"That was not your mistake. You were a boy yourself. You did try to save her. Are you going to punish Ella for something that happened years ago? Something that was beyond your control? You have to forgive yourself!" Bella knew that someone must have heard her scream. She didn't care about the consequences. All she cared about was the result of the conversation.

"I cannot forgive myself because I could have done something. I was young but I was strong. I killed her." Bella saw the haunted look on Max's face and pitied him. Someone else had a more torturous past then her.

"I know that you hate yourself for what happened but you can not change the past. Don't destroy my sister's future for something that happened years ago." Bella left without saying anything else.

Big sisters are the best. Max killed someone? Who could it be?