A Truelove of Turtle Doves

Chpt 17 - Unholy Graces

I walked hastily through the town, Francis at my side as we headed towards my house. It wasn't an incredibly long walk, but it was long enough for me to have time to panic and feel that speed-walking was necessary.

I am so dead. So very dead. My parents were going to actually murder me. I wouldn't even have time to write a will, that's how quickly they would kill me. They'd probably bury me in-

"Mon chéri?"

I jolted as a hand tentatively landed on my shoulder.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

He sounded incredibly worried, and when I raised my head to look at him, his eyes were fixed on me. His eyebrows were furrowed and he squeezed my shoulder gently.

I laughed nervously. "Ah, well, you know, nothing much. Just preparing for my eventual demise when I return home and my parents murder me for being late."

"Are you honestly that scared, mon chéri?"

His tone was careful as he spoke to me. I was surprised to find that I felt like crying. Stupid heart making me feel things that make stupid tears want to fall. Stupid.

I chewed my lip nervously.

"Your father..."

Francis' sentence trailed off.

"What about him?" I asked bitterly. I hadn't intended for that tone to be directed at him, and I immediately regretted it when I caught him flinch out the corner of my eye.

"He isn't going to... hurt you again, is he?"

I almost stopped at the sound of his voice. It was soft and raw, the sound of someone who might start crying at any moment. It made me think of a wounded puppy and my heart ached.

"I don't know," was my barely audible reply.

He seized my elbow, bringing the two of us to a stop.

"Mon chéri, don't go back," he pleaded.

I turned back to him, about to tell him that I didn't have a choice, when my voice caught in my throat.

His face was twisted into a pained expression, and the dim light levels of the setting sun cast deep shadows over his face. It made him look all the more distressed and anxious. I thought my lungs and heart were going to shatter at the sight.

"I don't have a choice."

"You do," he insisted.

"Francis, I can't-"

The thump of footsteps cut me off and the sound of shouting caught our attention.

"(Y/N)!"

It was Lauren and Josie, closely followed by Edward, all of whom looked incredibly relieved to see me.

Lauren barrelled straight into me, almost knocking me onto my backside if it wasn't for the fact that Francis was holding my elbow.

"What are you guys doing out here at this time?" I spluttered, "How did you even-"

"Ask Ed over here." Josie threw a thumb in the chauffeur's direction, who looked thoroughly exhausted from the unwanted exercise of chasing after the sisters. "He somehow managed to convince your parents-"

"And ours!" Chirped Lauren, releasing me from the crushing hug and grinning like a maniac.

"To let us all go out and find you," finished Josie.

I scratched the back of my neck. "Thanks, I guess."

"No problem! And this favour is on us, no need to pay us back for it."