The Next Duke

Twenty One

Lillian went through the list and inspected every little detail the day before the ball. She was able to do it with little fuss because her student's families had arrived and Joseph was stranded somewhere. She was just a bit putout because it was Christmas and she was alone. For some strange reason, her brother was sent on a special assignment and couldn't be reached. Her supposed boyfriend also had gone silent two weeks before Christmas, and not a single word ever since.

The parents of her students and their immediate family members all arrived two days before Christmas. They were given time off to bond with them as Lillian, alone, went to oversee the final preparations for the grand ball. Her students were all due to arrive on the morning of the ball in Stace Park.

Now, she was looking at the empty buffet  table and nodded as the stacks of napkins, plates were neatly arranged, waiting for the hungry guests. Papito's desserts were all paced in the makeshift fridge to keep it preserved. He sent Lillian a special box free of charge, it was the only thing that made her day.

"Is everything in order?" Matilda asked.

Lillian nodded, "Yeah," she replied with the obvious lack of energy.

Matilda looked up from the list that was handed to her to the face of the woman that looked like it was someone's funeral and not Christmas day, "Is everything all right?"

Lillian nodded, "Yeah," she added with a heavy sigh. "Just a bit nostalgic, I can't seem to reach the people I love most."

Philip suddenly appeared and kissed Matilda on her cheek. "Still working?"

"No, Lillian is making final checks and I decided to come and see her," Matilda said in concern.

Philip looked at Lillian and saw the sadness in her. "Oh, Merry Christmas, Lillian," he said and gave her a smile.

"Merry Christmas, to you too. Well, you guys should get going. I know you two have a date tonight. Just be here on time tomorrow," Lillian said and forced a smile.

"What about you?" Matilda asked.

She gave a sad smile. "I have a date with  a journal and some notes to go over," she did try to say it excitedly but it came as pretty lame. "So, enjoy your night!" She really did try, but quickly left the couple alone.

Matilda looked at her friend. Her shoulders were down in defeat, she just wished Joseph would come home soon.

Lillian entered the study  and slowly closed the door. She leaned against the door for a few minutes and walked to her desk. She fired up her laptop and reached for the journal she had been reading the night before. Without looking, she opened the book and switched on the desk lamp, adjusted her glasses and then finally looked down.

...By far, Amelie must have gone mad. We sailed halfway around the world only to find herself locked away in a jail cell....

Amelie stopped reading, she closed the journal she was reading and smiled. Tears of joy came to her eyes as she slowly placed the  journal on the table before she could destroy it.

"Like it?" Joseph asked as he stepped out of the shadows. He had been waiting for her in her study ever since he arrived. He had planned to come home earlier but getting stranded was certainly not planned.

"I love it," she said and stood up, she threw her arms around him, her sadness melting away, lifting her spirits. "Welcome home," she whispered.

He wrapped his arms around her accepting her warm embrace. "It feels good to be home," he returned and breathed in her scent. He kissed her forehead before releasing her. "How about we get some dinner?"