Chapter nine

Chapter nine

"How could you be so relaxed after my brother's death?" Miriam asked rather demandingly.

Monica clenched her jaw, her eyes up to the ceiling in thought. Slowly, she faced her mother, "Oh I'm not relaxed. I'll make sure Elizabeth suffers for this."

"And you are so sure she killed her father because?"

"Ahhhh! She helped kill mine when she was still about six years old. Why don't you think she could kill hers now?"

Without waiting for an answer, the younger lady walked away, cooking up new plans in her head. She knew she could make Elizabeth lose her mind without even touching her, and Philip was that way.

To her, it was going to be a memorable one, as long as Philip was in the picture.

Philip!

She groaned greedily, loosening her red hair so it fell down her back. What a different type of elegance he had. Automatically, her mind drifted to the dance.

She remembered how she trailed off when she saw him for the first time. His eyes were a magnificent shade of amber, with dark brown hair dropping in layers to his shoulders.

And then his lips…

Respect yourself Monica, she commanded. Sighing, she shook the memory off her mind because she had a purpose that was not to admire the overwhelming Duke of Anfield. He was attractive bait and she was going to relish using him against Elizabeth in every single way.

***

Elizabeth pondered up and down the guest room, thinking about the lady Philip had brought home. Why did she look familiar. But that was not important.

What was more important was the fact Philip felt more attached to this woman than he was with her. The way he looked at her the night of the dance. And then, he took that same woman out for hunting with him! She wouldn't have been worried if the lady wasn't as beautiful as she was, "I will kill her if she gets anywhere close to Philip!"

"Who," Anna asked in amusement while she barged in from behind.

Elizabeth shut her eyes in embarrassment, clenching her hands into fists. With a small sigh, she thought of what to say, "No one Anna. I was not being literal."

The other lady nodded with a grim, clearly not satisfied by her answer, "You can tell me about it. Who wants to get close to Philip?"

Elizabeth sighed again. Steadily, she walked to her friend, sitting across from her, "Well I just haven't seen the Duke bring a woman home before."

The Duke's sister laughed and waved her friend away, "Oh please. Do you know who we speak of? A simpleton. A normal resident dragged in yesterday as a thief. My brother would have nothing to do with that sort of a lady."

"A thief!" Elizabeth asked rather surprised. She expected everything but that.

Anna rolled her eyes and continued, "Oh yes! And besides, look at you. I'd trade anything to get those eyes of yours. Your hair is a different story altogether."

With a smile, she patted her friend and concluded, "Philip will be mad to pick her over you."

***

The Duke seemed confused and afraid at the same time, his head braced upon his large desk. He hit it one last time with a fist just before he stared up at his friends, "Are you comfortably having coffee when my fiancee's father just died?"

Earl watched his saucer with a frown, looking up at Philip afterwards, "Who would pick mourning and sadness over a freshly brewed cup of hot coffee?" He seemed to ask that in the most reasonable of tones, one Philip could not help but gawk at.

He gazed at him in astonishment, pulling the hair blocking his view away from his face, "There are moments for jokes Earl!"

Jason agreed silently. While his gaze was lowered in a humble way that was rarely seen, he nodded, "That is true. Apart from the Viscount's demise, worse things happened to people today we need to think about than drink coffee."

Peter, Duke of Norwich, turned to the man while he released a half laugh, "Exactly. He's talking about losing to a lady."

That was when the Duke smiled a little, hiding the chuckle threatening to burst out. But with Earl's contagious laughter filling the air, he wasn't aware when he burst out laughing as well.

Jason smiled despite the insult. At least the mood was brightened.

It was then they realised they were one less in number than normal. Timothy was not there.

And while they thought of the devil, he appeared from the side of the office holding a paper in his hand. While the Prince stalked to them, he frowned upon reading what was on it, "Philip. You own Kilmarnock? Part of Scotland."

The Duke sighed, clearly not interested. Standing up, he walked to him and took the letter from his hand, "I just found out a few days ago. His Majesty, your father placed it under my father's possession. My possession."

Jason joined his brows. He seemed to be thinking while his eyes were distant, "Oh yes I remember. That caused a whole swarm of Scottish citizens occupy England."

"Speaking of Scottish," the younger Prince said while he smiled at Jason knowingly, "Do you think Monica was a victim?"

Earl then faced the Duke, sipping from his cup carefully, "She must be part of the ones forced to the country after their home was taken away. What do you plan to do?"

The younger man they all looked at expectantly looked unaware of his stand. That was something he had not thought of. He braced his palm upon the table, thinking for a while, "I have a right to know why exactly England owns part of Scotland. If I feel it's not worth it, I'll speak to the King about returning it. There will be a massive explosion in population if I don't."

"And do well to take that witch with you," blurted Jason, "far away. To be precise, anywhere away from me. I'd be happy if you succeeded."

Philip's smile genuinely returned now, "Very well." Just before he picked up his own cup.

***

Monica chewed on her carrot as she roamed the streets, somehow happy for a reason she was not sure of.

The market was filled as always, with vendors using several tactics to lure customers. She breathed the air in deeply. It was rare for normal things to be this fun for her.

Suddenly, she sighted one of the men who dragged her in for theft through the Duke's doors.

His sales seemed to be going well. That was when she swore to make the rest of the day hell for him.

Happily, she plastered her usual grin on as she hopped to his stand.

Her eyes searched the place for anything useful she could take. And before he recognized the person before him, she snatched a bunch of fruit.

"You mediocre fish wife!" He blurted at her.

The lady held out her hand to stop him from talking, "Do not insult me. I am here to pay for everything that I have ever taken from you."

He almost believed her.

Almost.

Just until he looked her through and realized it was impossible. Without any obvious emotion on his face, he rolled his eyes, "That money would be able to build the Duke's entire empire."

Monica laughed at what sounded like an amusing joke, "So be it. I'll pay."

Braxton Hicks still teased her, "Don't tell me you want to pay for stolen items with stolen money. I won't buy the idea. I'm sure you are not a money earning type."

She nodded in agreement just before shrugging, "You are correct. I passed by your home today and found this." Monica searched through her pocket and retrieved a small pack of silver coins, shaking it to the man's face.

Afterwards, she continued, "It just lay in a can outside as if nobody was using it. And when I opened it, guess what I found…"

The man seemed to be taking everything normally until he mused her words for the third time, "Did you say my house?!"

"I found money," she answered her own question, ignoring that of the man.

Braxton's eyes widened in total displeasure, "Hand me my money back!" He said while he moved to snatch it away.

She seemed to frown disapprovingly at him. Without a doubt, she almost felt pity for him, "But that was no way to speak to a lady."

"Lady!" Braxton almost screamed. He took one look at her. Actually it was the fourth one ever since this morning, "I would rather my son marry a whore than you. Now hand my money back you little…"

"Apologize," she commanded, her temper snapping just a little bit. Monica shook her hair while she grinned at the man, "Why would you even keep silver coins outside in a can?"

He looked red now. That shade of red that metals had when they burned. His words seemed to be drowned by his sulks, his own rage making it very difficult to find the best thing to say. It was just like that moment when you badly wanted to kill somebody standing before you but you just couldn't because of a reason you do not know of.

Monica seemed to enjoy striking his nerves so much her smile never left her face. But suddenly, the man before her stopped sulking and put up a wide grin as bright as the sun. It seemed something behind her seemed to amuse him.

And then her heart stopped beating when she heard him say, "My Lords," just before he bowed.

She was sure she wasn't hit in the head recently. Sure she heard him well right. And a hundred percent certain her day had ended there and then.

Because she knew there was only one set of high rank Monarchs in Anfield. And then, ever so slowly, she forced herself to turn around and see for herself.

And there they were, all magnificent and proud, seated upon high white horses and looking down at her with looks of despair. To her, they were just perfect.

"My Lords," she grinned with a bow as well, ignoring their angry glares, "what brings you shopping today?"

The footmen riding behind the men seemed expectant, sending looks to the Duke in wait for an order. Maybe an arrest?

But Philip didn't say a word, even with the stand owner pleading him with his eyes.

The Marquess decided to break the silence on their part, "And what exactly do you think you are doing?"

The lady raised a brow, faking confusion, "He and I?" She turned to Braxton and continued, "Ahhh! We were just commenting on the weather before you rode by. Isn't the day beautiful?"

Then she grinned as always, something The Duke found amusing.

They ignored the obvious lie and sighed their disappointment.

Monica was almost surprised the Earl hadn't said anything rude yet.

And as if he read her mind, he smirked wickedly and rasped, "Stealing again I see."

And there he went, spoiling the aura as always. Many times she'd wish he could choke on his pride one day.

"I believe the day is too beautiful for our madness today Jason. Don't you think," she snarled, not trying to hide the displeasure in her voice.

Cautiously, he rode away, a little offended, "Please get this over with Philip."

The Duke was seemingly absent minded before then. He nodded at the Earl while he faced Monica, "We need your help with something small."