The Next Duke

Twenty Nine

Lillian focused on what was important instead of the incident that took place in her kitchen. She had never seen him jealous before. Perhaps it was because of her being courted by someone else. But the jealousy he displayed was downright scary. No one could own a person. It wasn't done.

But was it even jealousy or something more?

Graduation came and Joseph sat with the guests on the stage to congratulate the graduates. Since it was the Dean's responsibility to call out the names of the graduates, she didn't have to do anything but sit down. It also dawned on her that Joseph finished his education with two business degrees and an MBA. She smiled at that wryly. So much for thinking that the man is a total wastrel. She mentally slapped her forehead. She wondered what else did she misjudge about the man.

After the ceremony, women flocked him, she smiled and shook her head, he was looking for her in the middle of the fray. He was swinging his head from left to right as he looked for her. She was standing by the sidelines enjoying herself. Then she felt her phone vibrate. He had finally texted her.

Where are you?

I'm north east  of you. Never thought you could
ignore so many beautiful women all at once.

And what's that supposed to mean?

She chucked as she ignored his message and went to him. She touched the back of his robe to get his attention, when he saw her, he relaxed. He looped an arm over her shoulders and guided them out of the hall. "Can we go now?" He asked almost whining.

With that, Lillian actually laughed, she looked at the pouting man before her failing to see what was funny. There, they were spotted by all of her students, she looked at all of them.

"This is our last stop, guys," Lillian said it was something she always said to the graduates.

"Oh, come on, professor, none of that we'll never see each other again," Rachel began. "I'm sure we'll see each other again during your wedding, you will invite us, won't you, your lordship?"

Joseph looked at Lillian, "As soon as she says yes," he said with a wink.

"What? She hasn't said yes?" Jana asked.

"Have you even asked the question?" Trevor asked.

"No," Lillian said with a frown.

Joseph simply smiled, his arrogant nature was showing, "Well, with a face like this? Who needs to pop the question?"

Lillian simply rolled her eyes, "Over confident much?" she pulled herself free from his arms and walked into her office. She took her robes off and stored them in her cabinet where she kept her clothes.

"Well, professor, we just came here to thank you. Your outlandish and strange ways gave us a lot of lessons. Some we learned in the classroom and the rest outside. We love you just the way you are. The last six months we spent closely together made us stronger. But you are right, this is our last stop. When we come back here, we will be professionals. Perhaps someday, we can race down the beach or down the mountain."

Lillian chuckled at that, "Perhaps, so long, my dears. Until we meet again." She looked at their teary eyed expressions and opened her arms. One by one, they gave her an embrace and pretty soon her office was empty except for her and Joseph. "They will make the world a better place," she said with a positive prayer.