Sparrow 《Completed 》--

Chapter 16

Elizabeth's POV - Castle Benton

Although Elizabeth hadn't drunk a drop of alcohol the night before, she woke up feeling hung over. Her head hurt, her hands shook and it felt like her legs were heavier then ever before. No, it wasn't a hang over in the classic sense. For Elizabeth, it was an emotional hang over and it hurt her to the core.

The sun shed its rays through the curtains, letting her know it was farther into the morning then she first thought. When Kate entered, Liz was still sat on her bed ; silent and lost in thoughts. It was only when the young maid opened up the curtains and let the sun in, that she moved to shield her eyes from the blinding light.

Her hands rested on her belly that was now big and round while she thought back to the night before. Liz' family hadn't stayed for the night, but left close to midnight. Her father had came out of the room with Benton, shook hands with the Lord and had left without giving her another word or look.

The evening wasn't a total loss... Richard and herself caught up with their lives and Liz had learned he got married with an English lady and already had three sons running around. He looked happy, his green eyes sparkled when he had told about his wife and children. It had made her heart flutter, but a small sting of jealousy wasn't something Liz could hide.

Richard and George had been given the choice and married women they fell in love with, could spend every day with them without being chased. It must feel safe, Liz had thought bitterly and Richard had noticed her absent stare into oblivion when he'd asked is she was okay.

She wasn't. Liz hadn't been okay since months and even before. Slowly, Elizabeth had shook her head and waited for George to leave their sides. Liz had told Richard everything while crying. How she had to marry a horrible man, how he died and left her with the debts, how she met Declan Harp and couldn't help falling in love with him.

Richard's eyes had darkened with anger when Liz had told him about Chesterfield's punishment and how Benton's now making her marrying him.

He put two and two together fast, her brother always been the smarter one in her family, and knew the child that was growing fast inside her, was Harp's. Not Benton's.

She had confided in her brother. Told him how scared she was that the child would be a girl and what they would do. She even cried that she'd rather die then that her child would be taking away from her side.

Richard had stared at her in horror and soon pulled her into his arms. And Elizabeth cried and sobbed, leaving ugly stains on his jacket.

It was then that her father and Lord Benton had shown themselves. The old man wore a grin that gave her the shivers, especially when both men shook hands. Richard had given her a last hug before their father had yelled his name to follow him. Elizabeth had felt the cold steel that pressed in her hand and closed her palm right before Richard had turned to leave her alone in the castle again.

George had looked at her for the first time that evening and Elizabeth had tried to smile at him through her tears. He didn't react immediately, but right before he walked through the front door, George had turned to face her.

"You're despicable," he spat at her and left.

Benton his laugh had echoed through the mansion when the door closed and Elizabeth didn't stay around to hear what had been said between the two elder men. She had ran upstairs to her chambers to see what Richard had given her.

The small weapon shining her hands was the most beautiful she saw in months and with pain in her heart, Elizabeth remembered the dagger that Declan had given her. It was lost since she'd killed Chesterfield on the ship.