A Truelove of Turtle Doves

Chpt 6 - Fortunate

"I will only ask you one last time," my father was trying desperately to keep himself calm, which was a lost cause to begin with considering he started pacing up and down the drawing room the moment I'd entered the house, "Where. Have. You. Been?"

"I was in town." My reply held no hesitation, and I suppose it wasn't really a lie, either. I had been in town. Before I ran off. With a pirate. A very charming French pirate-

My father slammed his hands onto the coffee table. "DAMMIT (Y/N)!"

"Benedict," warned my mother.

"If he doesn't start telling the truth, I'm going to be forced to make him! You, young man, are grounded until we get the truth out of you!"

This had been going on since I had arrived. I'd met Edward as he was exiting a carriage (apparently he'd been in town all day fetching odds and ends for Josie, Lauren and their parents) and we'd strolled through the front door together.

"Well, don't you look pleased with yourself?" He'd commented, a very small smile evident on his usually stoic face.

The skip in my step had lasted right up until my parents had started screeching at me like a pair of banshees. I don't know how long had passed, but let's just say that it was much darker outside than it had been when I'd returned.

"If you don't mind my saying, Mr (L/N)," Josie politely interjected my father's rant, "Maybe he was in town, but just not with Michael? Maybe (Y/N) had wandered off to look at something, briefly, and lost track of time? Maybe Michael has misinterpreted the situation at hand?"

I wasn't sure if anyone else picked up on her passive aggressive tone, but I sure did, and I had to restrain myself from smirking.

Michael, at least, noticed, and glared rather harshly at her.

"If you will not take my word, then take the word of the towns-person who lost their stall and produce, which I had to pay for."

Lauren snorted, which earned her a glare from both her parents.

"I'd watch it if I were you, young lady," threatened Mrs Hardinge, "You are already in a lot of trouble."

The trouble being spoken of was the fact that Lauren had been caught wearing trousers. Not that she cared; she was still wearing them. However, her parents did not seem at all amused by it, and unfortunately I had missed most of the argument that had ensued, so I was desperate to hear what had actually been said. I shot a quick glance to Edward, who was standing a few paces back from where the sisters were seated, and he ever so slightly shrugged his shoulders.

Right, I remembered, he wasn't here either.

Luckily, Josephine caught our exchange and gave me a look that involved slightly raised eyebrows and a quick eye roll. I was well versed enough in her body language to know that it meant 'It's stupid really, I'll explain later. You'll probably laugh. Scrap that, you'll definitely laugh'.

The only reply I could manage was a very tiny incline of the head before my attention was taken yet again by the voice of a particular person that could summon me from the grave for the sole purpose of slapping him to get him to shut up.

"In total honesty, Mr and Mrs (L/N)," ground Michael, "I'm not sure where Mr (Y/N) would have gone, or could have gone, for that matter - the police were tailing him and some other criminal. The fact that he's here and not in jail is surprising enough."

"Criminal?!" exclaimed my mother, "My son associated with a filthy, low-born criminal!" The most horrified look I'd ever seen had settled on her face.