Chapter 4
1150 Words
Gabriel
Cecilia sat with her head leaned against the cushion of the carriage as we drove back to her and Leon’s home. Her chocolate brown hair fell in waves all around her eyes and her round face was in a state of serenity.
Leon on the other hand was hunched over and wobbling next to me as he slept through his drunken nap. It amazed me when I caught him drinking like a brute with the other men at the Martin party and he flirted with the maids. I pulled him to the side and asked him where Cecilia was, and how dare he disrespect her that way. And his exact words were “I don’t care about her. Not in the slightest.”
I couldn’t understand why he hated Cecilia so much. She was incredibly sweet and fun to talk to. I understood that he didn’t love her but his hatred was unwarranted. And their relationship was nothing but harmful. I had walked in on them yelling and throwing things at one another. On multiple occasions Leon had gotten in Cecilia’s face and I pushed him away, determined to not let him touch her. And although I saw the fear in Cecilia’s eyes, she never backed down. She never let Leon win.
I was never too fond of Leon and I had begun to go my own way before I attended his wedding. Cecilia was the only reason I stuck around and kept contact with him and sometimes I felt as if Leon knew that.
When we arrived at Leon’s home I helped the footman and the butler get him into bed. I asked Sophie to stay with Cecilia outside and told her I’d be back to help carry her to her room. Leon grumbled as we put him to bed and his servant said he’d stay with him to make sure he didn’t vomit, so I made my way back to Cecilia. She was still fast asleep in the carriage and I wrapped my arms gently around her. I didn’t want to wake her so I was careful to cradle her.
When I carried her through the house she snuggled into my chest and clutched my shirt. I took deep breaths, trying not to let my mind go on a tangent of its own. It was hard enough not showing my love for her day to day, but right now with her warm and asleep in my arms, I couldn’t help but imagine having her with me always. I could make her happy.
I could make her so happy and love her so much. I would wake up everyday and cherish her. If I had met her before Leon, if i had seen her across the room I would have fallen to my knees before her. I would have declared my love for her and proposed to her in an instant. Not just because of her beauty, but because of her spirit. I would have seen how she made others laugh, how she cared for those around her and basked in the moments when she spoke her mind. There would be no tears with me, no fake smiles or forced interactions. Everything would come naturally, my love for her was easy and pure.
“I can take it from here your Grace,” Sophie said softly as I laid Cecilia down on her bed. She muttered something in her sleep and sprawled out like a star. I had never seen her do this and it was adorable. I wanted nothing more than to lay next to her, to caress her face and watch her sleep. But I couldn’t, and I had to step away.
“Would you be able to prepare a guest room for me Sophie? I think it’s best I stay until tomorrow when Leon wakes up and deal with his hangover in the morning.” I told Sophie as I covered Cecilia with a large blanket.
At first Sophie looked hesitant but then she nodded. “Of course your Grace, allow me to dress my lady for bed and then I’ll get someone to prepare a room for you.”
“Thank you Sophie. And no worries, take your time. Just make sure she’s comfortable,” I said as I walked out the door and I could have sworn I saw Sophie smile and giggle as I did.
***
As I laid in bed in that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way Cecilia looked at the Martin party.
I had seen how miserable she looked at everyone and how tense she was next to Leon. Everyone else was convinced they were happy, but I wasn’t. I knew what Cecilia looked like when she was happy. I saw how her green eyes would get big, her smile would widen causing her dimples to show and she began to speak quickly. She only got that way when she saw a dog, rode her horse, ate blueberry pie or she talked about all the philosophy books she read growing up. And once, she talked about her dad, and although she cried, I saw the happiness in her eyes as she told me about him.
I was beginning to drift off when I heard heavy footsteps above me and clanging of things in the hall. I immediately got up, knowing Cecilia and the servants were asleep. When I ran up the stairs and saw a tall figure walking towards Cecilia’s room I lunged at them. I grabbed the person by the neck and it wasn’t until the light from the candles hit their face that I saw who it was.
“Leon? What are you doing up?” I asked him. His eyes were red and he still reeked of alcohol. But his face was mad. “Why are you outside Cecilia’s room?”
Leon gritted his teeth. “I was going to talk to her.”
“Why?”
He glared at me and pushed me off. “Why do you care? She’s my wife, I can do what I want!”
He stumbled and the anger in his eyes made me uneasy. He had no business being near Cecilia’s room this late and definitely not drunk and upset. So I grabbed his arm and pulled him away quickly and held him tight.
“You’re going to sleep Leon. And you’re leaving Cecilia alone tonight.”
“WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO?? SHE’S MY WIFE!!” He yelled at me and pulled away. “I CAN DO WHAT I WANT WITH HER WHEN I WANT!”
I saw red as I got in his face and spoke firmly and with venom in my voice.
“Don’t you dare go near her tonight Leon. If you do, I swear to you I will break your hands before you can even touch her.”
- Writer
