𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter thirty-seven; A Blessing
" My little petal, breaking hearts? "

  THE PARTY WAS full of Scots. More so than Elspeth had previously predicted.

She should not have been surprised Catherine seemed uncomfortable or that Demetre melted so well with the hunters and fighters of Scotland. Elspeth shouldn't have been surprised that Francis and Mary seemed to be planning something, or that Sebastian was in attendance.

Least of all Elspeth should not have been surprised that Douglas Liens was in attendance.

"Oh, my God!"

  Elspeth hardly got to see his face before Douglas scooped her up into a tight hug.

  "Douglas--"

  "You go missing for months, letters go unanswered, and our family starts to push the crown," Douglas rambled, taking his eyes off Elspeth only long enough to see Kenna, "Kenna, nice to see you again-- We nearly thought you'd died in your travels, Ellie, the only reason we knew you had made it back here safely is a letter from the Dauphin and Demetre Langlois of all people—!"

  "The stories about Demetre are not true," Elspeth said pointedly.

  "The Hunter—" Douglas stumbled over his words, "Alright, we'll revisit that topic later— first, tell me what happened— why you never arrived in Scotland?"

  "Henry tried to have Sebastian and I killed, we were running for months," Elspeth breathed out smoothly, "We returned because of someone we found, and then Henry forced Kenna and Sebastian to marry, despite Sebastian and I's engagement, once again threatening my life."

  Douglas's jaw dwindled for a moment before anger engulfed him.

  "You're going back to Scotland--"

  "Douglas, I need to find a husband before the scandal runs too rampant," Elspeth said tiredly, grabbing her brother's arm, "The good thing about French Court? Lots of visitors."

  "What, so you can be whisked away to some country, never to see Scottish soil again?"

  "Douglas. . ."

  "This is insane, Ellie," He said, "An engagement being broken twice-- no offense to you, Kenna, darling-- congratulations, I suppose--"

  "Oh, not necessary," Kenna waved.

  "Then my condolences," Douglas breathed, looking back to his sister, "Elspeth, an attempt on your life is nothing to be glazed over, I won't stand to hear the news in a month or so that you have been--"

  "I won't be," Elspeth urged, "Douglas, I am protected here-- I'm not sure that would go if I were to leave again-- not to mention I had quite the argument with Marie De Guise--"

  "Oh, you're arguing with the rulers of two nations now, are you?" Douglas said, exasperatedly.

  "I'm a friend of the French Queen," Elspeth offered with a nervous smile.

  Douglas stared, shaking his head.

  "Kenna, can you talk sense it to her, or has she lost her mind entirely?" Douglas asked.

  "I've never been able to talk sense into her before, what makes you think that would have changed?" Kenna asked with a smile, "Elspeth does what she wishes. And if she wishes to stay at court, I will not argue-- I, for one, could use her company after everything that has happened."

  "You should go back to Scotland, too!" Douglas said, his frustration rising again, "Married off to an engaged bastard like cattle-- you are better than that--"

  "I would agree, but I--"

  "--Arrange an annulment, I'll find you a husband myself if I have to--"

  Kenna looked interested for a brief moment.

  "Douglas," Elspeth said, grabbing her brother's arms, "I love you, dearly. Breathe, please. . ."

  The man tried to do as she said, allowing Elspeth to pull him off to a corner, Kenna following the siblings.

  "While Henry is King, any movement made could ignite his madness," Elspeth said quietly, "We will remain as we are until he is healed, or no longer on the throne. That is the safest thing we can do."

  Douglas set his jaw, eyeing the two girls.

  "I don't like this at all."

  "Because you care for us," Elspeth said gently, "And we love you for it. And once we can change something, we will have the conversation again. I'll write Father or Hans, and I will be sure to send Kenna to Paris if she needs help finding a new husband."

  The corner of his lips twitched up at the idea, rolling his eyes at Elspeth Liens.

  "Please trust that I have control over my life," Elspeth said, "While our parents prepared Hans to be a Duke, they prepared you and Fraser for knighthood-- even though that failed-- I was being prepared for this. For society-- to be in the company of royals and nobles, to avoid scandal, to be smart enough to choose my own husband and life. I know what I am doing. And I know the rules, which means I understand which ones can be bent or broken."

  Douglas sighed, pursing his lips as he stared at the girls.

  Two kids, always tumbling into trouble together, returning with dirt-covered dresses and ruffled braids. Elspeth had been loud enough for the both of them until Kenna found her own voice, and once that line had been crossed there was no stopping them.

  But they weren't little anymore, Douglas realized. They weren't the kids that followed him, Hans, and Fraser around their estate or ran when it was time for supper.

  "I suppose the two of you have grown up in the time I've been gone," Douglas said, reaching out to swipe a thumb over Elspeth's cheek, "I'll never stop worrying, you know?"

  "We know," Kenna said with a soft smile.

  Douglas let out a long breath, shaking his head.

  "Both of you, send letters to the estate," Douglas said, "Everyone has been worried. And once they hear about Kenna's new marriage, they'll worry for her, too."

  The girls nodded without argument.

  "Now, then," Douglas said, eyeing Elspeth, "About this Lord Langlois--"

  "Elspeth and Douglas Liens."

  Elspeth spun quickly, plastering on an even smile as she met a familiar face.

  "Lord McKenzie," Elspeth greeted in surprise.

  "It has been a long time since I've seen either of you," He noted, "The Liens legacy moving to France, is it?"

  "I assure you, Lord McKenzie, neither of us have forgotten our roots," Elspeth breathed out a smile. "Hans carries the legacy at home. We brought it here with us."

  The corner of his lip tugged upward.

  "Good," Lord McKenzie said, "Your father has done well by us. We would hate to see his only daughter forget Scotland."

  "I could never," She grinned, "Are you enjoying the party?"

  "Suppose I am," The man chuckled. "Not quite as entertaining as a Scottish one."

  "Oh, Lord McKenzie, you just haven't learned the wonders of France yet," Douglas grinned, clapping the man on his shoulder, "Let me show you a few of my favorite parts."

  The man obliged, allowing Douglas to lead him into the crowd, leaving Kenna and Elspeth alone once more.

  "It's strange seeing him again," Kenna noted, "He is the same and entirely different."

  "Douglas has always been wild-- I wish you would've seen what he brought me to in Paris," Elspeth grinned, linking her arm with Kenna's, "Gambling, drinking; if word of it got back to Scotland our parents would be horrified."

  "Sounds like fun."

  "Terribly fun," Elspeth confirmed with a small smile.

  The girls walked the party, greeting people now and then, but staying to themselves for the most part. Elspeth shared more stories Kenna had missed, and Kenna told her own. They planned a ride later that week, and whispered about Lola's engagement to Lord Julien; a man originally intended for Greer.

  "I mean, as long as the both of them are happy," Elspeth sighed, sipping her wine, "Greer and Lola, I mean."

  "Greer's engaged to Castleroy--"

  "Pepper!"

  "Yes," Kenna laughed, "He's kind-- and he knew about Leith. That's why her engagement with Lord Julien was called off, he caught the two of them together."

  Elspeth gaped.

  "Lola's quite lucky in it all, though," Kenna noted, "Covering up the pregnancy--"

  "Lola is pregnant?!" Elspeth whispered harshly, pulling Kenna closer.

  "Oh, Ellie," Kenna breathed, "You've been so busy."

  Elspeth's eyes grew wide as Kenna explained all the goings on that had happened; Greer's situation with Leith and Castleroy, Lola's with Julien and Francis. She had wondered how she'd missed it all so easily; but was quickly reminded her life had been a whirlwind, not to mention the two months she'd been missing.

  "Well, what about you, then?" Kenna questioned, "Any suitors on the horizon?"

  Elspeth let out a long breath, her heart squeezing at the question.

  "I suppose I should be mingling more," Elspeth mumbled, "I'll find one soon enough. Kind and titled; someone who can make it all go away. . . Hopefully, someone from far, far away who has no idea of my troubles."

  "There is absolutely nothing wrong with you."

  "Ah, but my reputation has been stained," Elspeth sighed, "Some men don't wish for a wife with a decorated history."

  "And since when have you cared for what a man thinks?"

  Elspeth looked to Kenna, a small smile growing on her face.

  "Never," Elspeth laughed, "You're right."

  "I know," Kenna sighed happily, scanning the party, "Oh, Ellie--"

  "I see him."

  Kenna frowned, squeezing Elspeth's arm as they watched Sebastian De Poitiers make his way through the crowd.

  "Elspeth."

  She wished her breath didn't escape when he said her name. Elspeth was cursing her heart for reacting when her mind was steel; the two were fighting over control, whether to splash her wine all over him or throw her arms around him and refuse to let go.

  "I'll give the two of you some space."

  Elspeth gave Kenna a small smile as the girl departed, leaving her to face him alone.

  Sebastian looked as though he'd barely slept. But he was still handsome. Elspeth cursed him in her mind for that, for being so beautiful without even trying.

  "Can we talk?" Sebastian breathed.

  "We can," Elspeth said quietly, "But things will not change."

  Sebastian frowned but nodded.

  "I don't want to lose you entirely," Sebastian whispered.

  "I. . ."

  "Elle. . . Please."

  His voice tugged at her heart; he was begging.

  And Elspeth knew she had a choice. To live in the past where she had loved him, or start a new future that meant forgetting. That meant leaving behind whatever she had built and starting anew.

  Elspeth loved him. She did, and nothing would ever change that, but she could not remember the last time she felt as though she was with him.

  "I do not want to lose you, either. I hope we will be great friends when I am more healed and you are more settled," Elspeth said genuinely, a soft smile on her features, "You are the first man I ever truly loved, Sebastian De Poitiers. That sort of thing does not simply disappear. . . but fate has chosen our future for us. And I am done trying to fight it."

  "Forget fate," Sebastian stressed, stepping toward her. "What do you want, Elspeth?"

  A breath escaped, and her eyes bored into his.

  She wanted to go on rides in France, and spar with wooden swords. To paint and dance and drink and eat. Elspeth wanted to do it all with the people she cared for. With Kenna and Sebastian, Francis and Demetre. She wanted to convince Catherine to come along if she could. 

  Even if Elspeth didn't know where those people fit. If the relationships were strange and blurry; she knew she loved them all. And she wanted them to stay in her life as much as they stayed in her heart.

  Sebastian's eyes drifted from her own, his gaze lifting just above her head.

  Elspeth almost smiled as she felt the warm presence looming behind her; his approach had been silent, even in the rowdy party, but the second she knew he was there, Elspeth wondered if he'd been there all along.

  The smell of clove engulfed her, warmth radiated from his chest onto her back-- he stood so close the fabric of his jacket brushed the skin of her back that was left exposed by her dress.

  "Drinks, food, dancing— yet the two of you are sulking in the corner," Demetre Langlois tutted, his hands shoved lazily in his pockets, "Why not enjoy the merriment?"

  "Not feeling very merry," Sebastian admitted.

  "Sad to hear it," Demetre spoke, a hint of truth in his tone, "Petal, dance with me?"

  Elspeth craned her neck, smiling softly at Demetre gazing down at her, offering a hand for her to take. She had never liked the idea of being saved, being whisked away by a charming man in expensive attire; but somehow when it was Demetre she didn't mind it at all.

  The woman turned back to Sebastian, his eyes searching hers for an answer.

  "I want to be free, Sebastian," She breathed, her posture relaxing for the first time in months, "I don't feel like I have been since you were forced into an engagement with Mary."

  It hurt to hear as much as it hurt to say. But it had been said and heard. And the hurt would linger, but eventually, it would heal.

  So Elspeth gave him a reassuring smile, before turning to Demetre who waited with a soft grin. She placed her hand in his own, and let out a quiet laugh as he led her to the center of the room.

  "My little petal, breaking hearts?"

  Elspeth rolled her eyes, allowing Demetre to lead them in the dance.

  "I am taking back control of my life," Elspeth corrected, "I hope Sebastian and I remain friends."

  "You will," Demetre said, "I've known him since we were children. He's a loyal pup."

  Elspeth laughed as Demetre twirled her like a toy top.

  "You know," Demetre said after a moment, a sly smile on his lips, "As the head of the House of Langlois, it is now my blessing you need to marry?"

  His hand rested on her waist as he brought her back in, the other holding up her hand.

  "And what are the conditions to receive that blessing, Lord Langlois?" She questioned teasingly.

  "First," He started with a smile, "The man must be titled."

  "Naturally."

  "And rich," Demetre pointed, "You are an expensive woman, Elspeth Liens."

  "He should be able to top even your gifts."

  "Educated in the arts, fighting, and riding," Demetre continued with a dramatic sigh, "He has to keep up with you."

  Elspeth grinned, though it melted as Demetre tugged her closer.

  "He should be well-mannered and respect you," Demetre said, his own tone falling more serious, "No lingering hands or words."

  Elspeth suddenly felt as though the party had disappeared. That it was only her and Demetre in that room.

  "Supportive of your talents," He continued on, "Strong enough to protect you, smart enough to let you be."

  Elspeth felt her breath leave her lungs as Demetre Langlois slowed the pace of their dance, his chest nearly touching hers.

  "He must make you happy. Put you first, before even himself. And he must not only let you be free. . . but he must be able to set himself wild alongside you."

  They had stopped dancing now. Two figures standing still in the middle of the rowdiest party the French Court had ever seen.

  "He has to be worthy of you."

  "That is a long list."

  "You deserve everything on it, Petal."

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
Of course, Douglas had
to show up