Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 34

Ella woke up with a headache and clogged nose. The only thoughts in her head were of the flu that she mysteriously had when she woke up. When two figures jumped towards her as soon as she sat up, Ella was convinced that she had the worst luck. Not only was she ill but she was also being robbed.

Seeing no other alternative, Ella waited patiently for the two villains to realize that she was not going to run away. Her eyes were leaking because of the clogged nose and her vision was blurred. She was not stupid enough to try and escape when she could not even see properly.

The intruder threw himself, or rather herself at Ella and hugged her tightly. It would be stupid to assume that she won't recognize the hug of her own sister because she did.

"Bella dearest, you shouldn't travel. You did ask the physician? Right? Tell me you have his consent." Ella felt As if she would need patience to get through this conversation. Her sister was putting her child in danger.

"The physician said it was fine as long as she takes adequate rest after traveling. I made sure that she didn't exert herself too much." Ella could have sworn that she heard Lord Arthur's voice. She looked in the direction of it and saw red covering her vision.

"Thank you my Lord. I'm still confused, why were you looking after my sister? Isn't that scandalous? A young man looking after a young widow." Ella heard Bella's gasp before she felt her sister move.

"We wanted you to know, we wanted you to be there but there wasn't enough time. It was so sudden. He had to save my estate and I liked him. We got married three days ago. I'm so sorry." Bella's confession was followed by a grunt from Lord Arthur.

"I'm not. I loved your sister and wanted to marry her." Lord Arthur's confession was enough to make Ella rub her eyes hard to clear her vision before jumping off her bed in an attempt to kill him. Her murder attempt came to an abrupt end when black spots appeared before her eyes. She felt two strong arms wrap around her as her legs gave out.

"Be careful my dear. You are still not strong enough to stand on your own." The turmoil that was consuming her faded a bit as she heard Max's voice. She had someone by her side.

"What did you do? How did you trap her? How much money do you need?" Ella could only think of her sister suffering at the hands of another man. Bella deserved happiness.

"I love your sister. I have more than enough money. We only need your acceptance. Your father has already given his blessing." Lord Arthur said rather smugly.

"You hated her, how could you suddenly fall in love with her?" Another man, new game. How could Bella have been so stupid to believe him.

"Hear him out and try to understand. I have questioned him thoroughly. I know for a fact that he will treat our sister the right way. He does look like a man in love." Max's hand made small calming circles on Ella's back. She melted when Max called Bella their sister. It was remarkable how this man had taken every pain and every problem that belonged to her and made it his own.

"I was angry, I thought that your sister killed her husband. I didn't know the how badly Bradford was treating her. I'm sorry if I came across as a heartless man but I don't want to lose your sister now. I didn't think it was possible to find someone as perfect as her. She is perfect for me at least and I will spend the rest of my life trying to show you sisters that I mean it." Ella wanted to believe him, her sister deserved all the flowers and some romance. Maybe she should just wait and see where this leads. Bella just might find her happy ever after.

"I'm not going anywhere. I will keep my eyes on you. You better keep her and the baby really happy." A small smile appeared on Lord Arthur's face, transforming it completely. The cold and hard man suddenly looked like a happy, loving family man. The red hair around his head created a halo, which made him look like a mystical being.

The happy moment was interrupted by a teary eyed Mary. She was already crying when she entered the room and started crying harder when she saw Ella. Kissing her and Max gently on the forehead, she sat on her bed.

"We almost lost you my child, don't ever scare us like that again." As Mary reached out for Ella's hand, she remembered a manly had reaching for her, a man with Mary's eyes. It was almost as if the single memory broke the dam that was holding them back. The carriage ride, her falling and drowning, it all came back to her. She looked at the only man who had the power to calm her.

Max must have seen the fear in Ella's eyes because he picked her up before placing her on his lap and started whispering sweet nothing's in her ear. He rubbed her shoulders to ease the tension. Slowly she relaxes in his arms and was asleep.