Page 69 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
The room filled with gasps and yelps as Anthony and his horse made their way to the front of the church. Eleanor wished she could preserve the image of how he looked sitting atop that beautiful steed. They made a fairy tale come to life and were about to make her dreams come true.
“Please pardon the interruption, Father,” Anthony said. “I have an announcement to make, and this seemed like the appropriate time to do it.”
Anthony dismounted his horse and faced the congregation in a fine dark suit of his own.
“Hello, everyone. My name is William Anthony St Clair. I am the Duke of Ashbourn.”
More gasps followed Anthony’s introduction. Eleanor turned to see her stepmother’s reaction from her seat in the front pew. Margaret’s face was frozen in a tight-lipped expression of shock and rage.
“Lady Eleanor is being forced to marry a man she doesn’t love who hopes to gain access to the trust that Eleanor will receive on her birthday in a few days. She is being forced to do so by her stepmother, Lady Margaret Whitfield.
The groom, Mr Cecil Phillips, is part of this sinister plan and stands to benefit from the funds that rightfully belong to Miss Whitfield. The late Earl of St Coeur left these funds to support Eleanor and Regina. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the new Earl of St Coeur to verify that these facts are true. Would you agree, Lord Whitfield?”
Eleanor turned away from Margaret to see Cousin Harrison stand at the back of the church and shout, “That is correct, Your Grace! I am Eleanor’s cousin and a witness to the truth. I have read the trust from the Montrose Savings and Loan. It is in Eleanor Whitfield’s name only.”
Margaret stood and glared at Lord Whitfield, then turned her menacing attention towards Anthony. The horse at the duke’s side whinnied and stomped one of his feet as if he felt the power of Lady Whitfield’s wrath.
“There is no proof that this man is the Duke of Ashbourn!” Margaret yelled.” These are all lies meant to stop a mother from taking care of her daughters! Mr Phillips, stand like a man next to your betrothed and take your vows this instant. I’ll not have my wedding day ruined!”
Eleanor reached down to where Cecil had slid to cower on the floor and took her wedding bouquet back. Then she walked over to Lady Whitfield and offered the flowers to her instead.
“Forgive me, Stepmother, for ruining the wedding of your dreams. I wish you and Mr Phillips a lifetime of happiness, but your control over me is done now. There are plenty of witnesses to the truth of which the Duke of Ashbourn speaks.”
Then she turned towards the congregation and spoke to her guests. “Witnesses, will the rest of you make yourselves known now, please?”
Eleanor watched Margaret’s face again to see her reaction to the people who had helped set the Whitfield daughters free.
“I am a witness to the truth. The late Lord Whitfield created the trust for his daughters through our bank. We have everything in writing, Lady Whitfield. The trust is in Eleanor’s name,” Edward’s father said after standing to be counted.
“I am also witness to the truth. I am the Dowager Duchess of Ashbourn and William Anthony’s mother. My son is the new Duke of Ashbourn and I also have that in writing. Directly from the queen.”
Grace St Clair stood in the most beautiful yellow gown and blew a kiss to her son. When she waved at Eleanor, the two women grew misty-eyed. Eleanor could not wait to spend time with Anthony’s mother and his extended family soon.
“I am a witness to the truth, as well. I am Eleanor’s closest friend, Lady Lucy Charter. And I have in my possession some proof of criminal conduct from Mr Cecil Phillips.”
Eleanor smiled and nodded at Lucy, where she stood among the pews as questioning murmurs filtered through the sanctuary.
“Mr Phillips attended our house party last week, where some of our guests reported their jewellery stolen. During our investigation of these claims, this trinket box was found in Mr Phillips’ private room. The stolen jewellery was found inside.”
Lucy waited another moment while the guests talked over themselves, and Cecil wailed.
“Lies! These are all lies to falsely condemn me!”
Cecil dropped back to the floor as if he could disappear into the wooden planks below his feet.
“We have alerted the authorities. Mr Phillips will pay for his crimes and bother the Whitfield daughters no more.”
When Lucy sat down, Lady Whitfield made a step towards Eleanor but was stopped by her youngest daughter.
“And I am a witness to the truth, Mother.” Regina stood up next to Margaret and gave the final statement. She turned to face Lady Whitfield before what Eleanor knew would be her sister speaking from the heart.
“I am your daughter and Eleanor’s devoted sister. I love you, Mother, but this has to end now. I have read Father’s trust. It belongs only to Eleanor. How she chooses to use it once she turns five and twenty is solely up to her. Who she chooses to love is also solely her choice. And one more thing …”
Regina took a deep breath and folded her mother’s hand into her own. “You should know that Cecil Phillips made improper advances towards me when he was first courting Eleanor. We never told you because we wanted to spare you that terrible detail. We also knew you wouldn’t believe us, but it’s the truth. He is not a proper mate for either of your daughters or anyone else.
I hope you will see that now and accept it, as well as accept that you have many amends to make. It’s time for all of us to change our lives for the better. Not by collecting finer things, Mother. I hope you will one day see that the truest riches come from the heart.”
Margaret was speechless and stood as still as a board when Regina kissed her hand, then left her side to join Edward and his family.
