Page 2 of Healing the Duke's Desires
Emily’s heart pounded heavily in her chest, a mixture of fear and disbelief coursing through her veins. She clung to the faint hope that her parents would come to their senses, that they would realize the true cost of sacrificing her happiness for the sake of their financial stability. The marquess was a horrible man. Surely they could see that.
But the reality of the situation bore down heavily upon her. Her future, once filled with dreams of love and adventure, now seemed bleak and suffocating. Could she ever find solace in a marriage forced upon her, shackled to an emotionless man she did not love?
She fought hard to keep back the tears that threatened to stream down her cheeks as she grappled with the immense weight of her current circumstances. Her heart yearned for a different path, one where her own desires and happiness would not be subject to her family’s financial state.
“But Patrick…” The voice of Emily’s mother was becoming fainter and fainter, and Emily knew she was losing this battle. Her father’s mind was made up. That much was obvious to everyone.
Every fiber of her being urged her to barge in and tell her father that she would not do it. But as the older daughter, there were certain expectations of her. She would not be the first or the last daughter of a family that needed salvation from financial strife. Her refusal to comply would not amount to much.
Emily couldn’t listen to any more of this. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps as she turned away from the door and started to run down the corridor, her heart still heavy with the weight of the burden that was soon to be placed upon her, as the older daughter. Just as she was turning around the corner, she stumbled onto Sarah, who looked at her with concern etched on her face.
“Emily?” Sarah asked, her eyes wide with surprise. “You seem distressed. Has something happened?”
Emily looked at her with a mixture of turmoil and determination. She hesitated for a moment, torn between confiding in her sister and protecting her from the harsh reality of their predicament. Usually, her sister would be the first one she would go to with any problem she had. But not this problem. With a heavy sigh, Emily made a choice.
“It’s nothing, Sarah.” She did her best to smile and to calm her racing nerves. “I just overheard a minor disagreement between our parents. But it is nothing that should concern either you or me.”
Sarah had always been able to read people’s gestures, to see through the veil of words they created if there was something they were endeavoring to hide. That was exactly what Emily was afraid of as she noticed Sarah’s brow furrow in confusion, sensing that there was more to this story than Emily was willing to share. She reached out to gently take Emily’s hand into her own, squeezing it lovingly.
“Emily, I know you better than you think,” Sarah spoke wisely. “We are sisters. Whatever it is, you can confide in me.”
Emily yearned to tell her everything she had just overheard, but that wouldn’t help anyone. Sarah needed to be saved from the brunt of this burden. Emily had already decided that, whatever happened, she would carry it on her own. Sarah would be protected from all of this. Emily would see to that.
She smiled again, much more reassuringly this time. “You know I always tell you everything, right?”
“Yes.” Sarah nodded, smiling back, her gaze fixated intently on her sister.
“So, you know that if this was anything worth mentioning, I would tell you. You have my promise,” Emily said, blushing gently because she had done a horrible thing. She had just lied to the person she loved more than anyone else in the whole world. But this was a necessary lie. Hopefully, if Sarah ever found out, Emily would be forgiven for it.
Sarah’s expression softened with a mix of understanding and disappointment. She reluctantly released Emily’s hand, respecting her sister’s wishes even as her worry lingered. Seeking a temporary respite from this turmoil, Emily changed the topic of their conversation, hoping they would both forget about it, at least for the time being.
“Why don’t we have tea in the garden?” she suggested cheerfully. “The weather looks absolutely lovely, and I need a breath of fresh air after spending the entire morning inside.”
Sarah’s face brightened with a spark of hope, clearly grateful for the opportunity to provide some comfort to her troubled sister.
“Why don’t we make it into a picnic? We can prepare a small picnic with our favorite treats and find a peaceful spot amidst the blossoming flowers.”
“I think that sounds splendid.” Emily beamed.
As they made their way to the garden, Emily’s steps became lighter, her burden momentarily set aside, allowing serenity to wash over her. The fragrant scent of blossoms filled the air, and the soft whisper of the wind brought a sense of tranquility.
They carefully laid out a delicate tea set upon a quaint, flower-patterned cloth, their favorite biscuits and pastries arranged with care. They sat together, the gentle warmth of the sunlight enveloping them and casting a soothing glow upon their troubled hearts.
In that tranquil garden, amidst the blossoms and the delicate clinking of teacups, Emily found a glimmer of hope. Even in the midst of uncertainty, there were moments of respite and solace to be cherished. And with her sister by her side, she felt a renewed sense of strength and determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead, confident in their unwavering bond.
That night, Emily dreamed of Sarah’s painting.
Calm, blue waters.
Sand to sink one’s toes in.
The horizon to the take all of one’s cares away.
She wanted to run away to such a place, where no one would find her and where she would have the reins to her life, to her own happiness. But now, it seemed the calm blue waters were substituted by a storm that threatened to swallow her whole and take her all the way down, to the dark bottom, from which she would never surface again.
And the horizon… that was just a small glimmer of hope that was being slowly eaten up by the darkness of reality she had found herself in.
Chapter 2
