The Duchess and I

Dinner at Le Bon Domaine is served in French style, which means that the components of our varied meal are all placed on the table together, cluttering its surface with tureens and serving dishes. My brother Nicholas cuts the meat, since he is the host of this dinner. The plates are passed on to the guests afterwards and we are free to take whatever else we want to eat with the pig's meat. I enjoy dinner, but am kind of nervous the whole time for my conversation after dinner.

Since Christina is sitting next to me, between me and my brother, I could hardly ask her at the dinner table what she thinks about my new plan, although her attention is on me the whole time. We chat passionately during our meal and although Elias is trying to win the attention of his wife back by trying to feed her some food off his plate, she ignores him most of the time. She actually feeds me some food, which makes Liam pinch my hand warningly since Elias' eyes are thundering.

I act as if I lean in for a kiss from his lips and he softly says in my ear: 'Be careful. You two don't go unnoticed.' I see my father in the corner of his eyes looking at me and I redden. Liam kisses me to hide my blushes and I whisper in his ears: 'Thank you for the warning.'

Christina raises an eyebrow, when her brother kisses me and I drop my spoon deliberately. As we both duck down to reach for it, I whisper: 'Careful, my beloved.'

'I can't help myself. I enjoy watching you eat. It reminds me of caviar and our little cottage.'

This brings a cravingly shiver down my spine and she smirks triumphantly, while holding out my spoon. 'First, Elias deserves the truth, doesn't he?'

I take back my spoon and she rolls her eyes. 'You are right again, but stop kissing my brother or I'll punch him in the face.'

I giggle as we straighten ourselves and then we continue talking like two proper ladies. After dinner my parents are talking about leaving already, but Liam keeps true to his promise. He rises and says: 'But I have wonderful Cuban cigars with me, which need smoking, Lord Le Bon. Would you do me the honour?'

My father shakes his head laughingly, but then says: 'I can't hardly say no to the Duke.' Nicholas and Elias join them and Louisa invites us to the drawing room for a cup of tea. As my mother and Louisa are talking about potential baby names, I beckon Christina to follow me so we're out of earshot.

'What are you doing, love?' Christina smiles crookedly. 'I cannot make out with you here.'

I roll my eyes. 'I am not trying to. I wanted to talk to you. I think I found a solution to your problems. I will be the one to tell Elias.'

She whistles. 'Right to the point, aren't we?'

'Why waste time?'

'Love, I already told you. I must be the one to tell him. He's my husband. I must be the one looking him in the eye, when I break his heart.'

'As his sister I have as much right to tell him.'

'This isn't about any rights. It's about what he, the man we will hurt, deserves and he deserves to hear this from me.'

'Damn it, Christina. I am just trying to help speed things up.'

'You are rushing. I told you I'd tell him, when I found the time. Don't you trust me in that?'

'I do, but when does that moment finally come? Tomorrow? In weeks? Elias is mad at you already and he will continue to avoid you, until his anger is cooled down. And I know my brother: this could take awhile. So, are you willing to wait that long? Are you willing to keep continuing our relationship in the dark? Or do you refuse to see me for that long? Because those are the only two options you leave us with.'