One More Chance

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Cathy had been watching the whole ceremony from behind Maggie. Thousands of emotions flooded her and for the first time she realized how truly alone in the world she was. There was no one she could call her own anymore. Her parents were gone. Tears blurred her vision once again. She had become such a watery pot ever since last evening when she had heard about the death of her father, he dear, beloved father.

She heard the vicar's voice, "Does anyone from his family want to say something?" Her step mother and half sisters shook their heads. How could they! Even in the very last moments, they did not want to pay her father the respect he deserved. Oh, she wouldn't let her father go like that. She had to say something and let him know that he was well loved.

"I want to say something!" she declared without thinking and stepped from behind Maggie's back. The crowd stared at her in silent shock. She heard Cecelia's angry gasp. Oh, she was going to be in a hell lot of trouble, but, she would deal with it later. Her father came first now and if she didn't say anything, she old never be able to forgive herself ever.

"Papa, thank you for being a wonderful father to me. Thank you for being one of the most capable and fair leader to our people. We hope that your soul will rest in peace and that you would look over us. We all love you and would miss you. May you have peace and happiness in your after life. Goodbye papa," Cathy articulated eloquently with great feeling.

The crowd clapped. "Well said," someone screamed.

Cathy brimmed with a mixture of happiness and sadness. Her eyes scanned over the crowd to convey her thanks for their support. It came to a halt at her step mother. Cecelia's face was red and flaming in anger. She was truly in trouble now. 

Catherine turned back and ran towards the castle. If only she could have ran away away from the castle and the ground, away from Newbridge and away from her hateful family. Alas she could not! She had to think about Maggie and Lydia and her people. She on,y ran as far as her room.

*************

It was a truly well worded speech that anyone could have given at a funeral. It clearly showed how much the girl had loved and respected the duke. But Christian did not have time to dwell on that. He had other more important matters to consider. Papa? The duke? Who was she?

He turned to look at the duchess with a question in his eyes. 

"She is my...my husband's illegitimate daughter. Loved him a lot but very ill-mannered. That's why we had to er..control her," the duchess explained.

Illegitimate daughter? That explained why she addressed the duke as papa. But something still wasn't quite right, but he couldn't put his hand on it.

"Who is she?" Fred asked as they walked back to the castle after the funeral.

"Illegitimate daughter of the duke," Christian replied subtly, still in his thoughts.

"Oh,that's too bad, you can't have her then," Fred countered.

Christian hadn't even been considering that.

"But, she said something about being a good leader to our people. Why would she take ownership of the people if she was a illegitimate daughter? There was still the question of her boy's attire," Fred asked.

That was exactly what didn't seem right. Fred was spot on. "Let's go find out," Christian responded.

*************

"After everything I said, you attended the funeral. And worse, you made such a mess by attracting attention," Cecelia seethed.

She was in Catherine's room and extremely enraged. Cecelia had locked both of them within the room to prevent anyone from stopping her. Catherine could hear Maggie's voice from outside the door, pleading Cecelia to stop.

Cecelia slapped her hard. Catherine felt Cecelia's ring in her finger cut through her lips. She tasted blood. But Catherine kept quiet. It was better that Cecelia vent her anger out on her rather than hurt poor Lydia. Such pain wasn't new to her anyway.

Still seething, Cecelia slapped her again with greater force, knocking her to the floor. She then aimed a kick at her stomach. Catherine doubled over in pain, clutching her stomach. But she hardly made a sound.she wasn't going to give Cecelia the satisfaction of knowing that she had hurt her. She would withstand the pain. She would.

*************

Christian was with Fred on his way to question the duchess when a middle aged, slightly plump lady ran towards him gasping for breath. He had met her at the dinner last knight. If he wasn't mistaken, she was the housekeeper.

"Sir, you must come quick! My lady, she would die if you don't help her. The mistress is very angry with her. Oh she would kill her,"she panted urgently.

Neither Christian nor Frederick understood who the lad was referring to. But they got the idea that someone was in grave danger. "Lead the way," he ordered and rushed behind her. Frederick followed suit. 

They immediately came upon a wooden door that was locked. Christian looked at Frederick and Fred nodded his understanding. The both moved back 5 paces and ran in towards to crash it open with their strength and pace. The door gave away easily.

Christian couldn't believe the sight that greeted him. "Holy shit!" He heard Fred exclaim.

The girl whom he ad dueled with was on the floor clutching her stomach. Her hair was Ina tangled mess. The half of her face that faced him was swollen and he could see handprints on her cheek. Her lips were bloodied. 

The duchess was standing over her with a vase in her hand. She seemed ready to throw it upon the girl.

"Duchess! Lady Cecelia Wolverstone!" Christian shouted. He could never stomach violence done to innocents. He was mightily angry with the duchess now. How dare she behave in such a crude and uncouth fashion?

"Remove yourself from the room this instant. If not, I will not be responsible for my actions," Christian thundered. His eyes stared at her with such menace. 

She seemed to cower. "Sir Ashford, that is...Christian," she stammered.

"Now," he bellowed.

She quickly scurried out of the room.

"Fred get a healer," Christian ordered as he swiftly moved to the girl. He gently lifted her from the floor and placed her on the bed. She seemed to be trembling. The housekeeper came over with a clean rag and jug of water. He took the rag from her to wipe the blood of from the girl's lips and face. Once the blood was removed, the damage did not seem too bad. "Are you very hurt?" Christian questioned. The girl slowly shook her head. 

Just then Fred and the healer came in. The healer told them to step out for a moment so that she could examine the girl.

Fred and Christian paced outside the door. The housekeeper stood at the corner clutching her hands nervously.

"God, I can't believe the duchess could be this cruel. To harm an innocent girl like that!" Fred started.

Christian nodded in agreement. They continued pacing for a couple more seconds until the healer came out. 

"She would be fine. I gave her some laudanum to take away the pain and let her sleep. She would be alright. It is nothing worse than before," the healer said. Before? What did that mean?

Christian turned to the housekeeper. "What is the meaning of this? Who is that girl? Why does the duchess behave in such a way with her?" Christian questioned.