Chapter 20: Losing An Ally

The man I knew as Al smiled to himself after I left the shop kicking and screaming. He had seen Percy coming through the window and didn't bother telling me to hide, knowing that if I went back to my family's clutches there was a decent chance he could become my husband.

If I ran away, he had no chance at all and would end up lonely as ever with some insignificant baron's airheaded daughter. His family did not want him having any political power, after all.

Unknowingly, I had captivated this man's heart. Al didn't have much going for him but he refused to be completely miserable like he had been before now that he had experienced a taste of sunshine.

How could he lie down and accept his fate now that he had a chance of getting what he wanted? He whistled cheerfully with his hands in his pockets as he made his way back to the palace.

On the other side of town, oblivious to what Al was thinking, I was getting the chewing out of my life.

"How dare you go off on your own like that! What if someone had happened to you? What if your reputation was compromised? The duke would not want a tainted woman! What exactly were you doing out so late by yourself?" the countess demanded, flying into a fury.

By myself, eh? So Percy hadn't ratted me out for being with a man. Apparently he didn't want my reputation to be compromised either. Or for the countess to murder me, I couldn't be sure.

Either way, he was somewhat on my side and I was grateful despite my anger at him for catching me and bringing me back.

How stupid of me not to realize that shop would be the first place he would look.

"I wanted to go for a walk at the seaside and then I got cold and hungry so I stopped for hot chocolate and some food. I was on my way home, Mother," I lied.

I was sure she didn't believe me. If I had really just been going for a walk, I wouldn't be wearing servant clothes. It was completely obvious I was running away.

She was so angry her chest was heaving, rather impressively due to her corset.

"You are not to leave this house again for the rest of our stay here without my direct supervision. I will not have you ruin your chances for an advantageous marriage, young lady. You are the daughter of an earl! Start acting like it!"

The countess ordered Percy to escort me to my room.

The first thing I noticed was a lock on the outside of the window. I wouldn't be using that to escape again.

"You are lucky she did not do worse," he said softly once I was back in my prison. "Catherine, what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking I don't want to get married," I muttered mutinously. Stupid Percy, ruining my plans.

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"Getting married is your duty and your honor. I have already been lenient with you, promising that you would not have to marry someone more than twice your age. And how do you repay me? By running off! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

I had never seen Percy this upset by anything. He was actually pacing.

"Catherine, you have more than a dozen eligible suitors within those parameters interested in you. Including the duke, who is a particular friend of Edmund's! Wouldn't it be better marrying someone you already know? You would be able to see Edmund more often that way."

"I do NOT want to marry the duke."

"That is unfortunate because more likely than not, you will," he snapped. "I will make no effort to stop Mother and Father if that is what they intend to do. I have helped you enough."

I yelled after him, shocked at his display of temper since he was normally so mild, but Percy was already gone. Well. There goes my only ally.

Unless you count Al…but his proposal was too unorthodox. Not romantic in the slightest. Not that I wanted romance from a nobleman!

He wanted to marry someone just to keep them as a friend. Exactly what kind of life did he lead to come up with such a crazy plan?

I couldn't deny that it was unlikely I would get a better offer. He didn't want a 'real' wife. But I didn't want to be anybody's wife, real or not!

With the heightened security around me though…would I get another chance to escape?

Percy wasn't on my side anymore. I couldn't count on him to get me out of any more sticky situations.

I think going against the countess by lying to her for me about the extent of my perfidy was too much for his rule-abiding heart to bear.

I was angry but I couldn't completely blame him. He had already gone against his nature for me.

To accept or not accept? Would I really be able to fend off all my suitors without any outside help?

Especially since the countess was so furious with me. She would probably marry me off tomorrow if the opportunity arose.

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