Chapter 37
ACCEPTING PITY
DUNCAN
London Daily Times
London’s social season is far off, but that hasn’t stopped everyone from gossiping about the upcoming wedding of London’s premiere socialite Lady Vanessa LeRoux to billionaire tech mogul Paolo Sartori.
They are to be married at the chapel in the belly of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
A large celebration is expected at the bride’s parents’ compound near Richmond after the conclusion of the church ceremony.
Adrienne Papillon, the bridal designer, says that the dress will make her the “bride of the century”.
Everyone expected that but they also expected Prince Duncan to have proposed years before. Instead, she is the one who got away.
The one who got away.
Oof. I hated that term, even if I agreed that Vanessa very much fit that bill. I had a love-hate relationship with the thought of her making her way down the aisle to me. Sometimes, I worried she might leave Paolo and return to me. I knew that would end poorly, but I was a weak man for Nessa.
A year ago, when their engagement was announced, I began a mental countdown until the day of reckoning. But until mid-week leading to their nuptials, I’d been too focused on my new distraction to worry. Ella remained the plaything that brightened every day. The more I begged, the more she obliged.
It wasn’t just about her making me work for any slight bit of affection she might grant.
No, it became much closer with time. After all, what more was there to do but talk and stare outside at the sea or sheep?
I also knew how perceptive Ella was. Lying to her only made for a bad day.
She became an integral part of my inner circle in mere weeks.
When I found her home with the telly on that night, she invited me to watch with her. I’d take that response and relax with her. She wouldn’t baby me. She never did. She’d listen.
“You were out of it this morning. Does this have to do with She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, Duncan?”
I groaned and looked at the ceiling.
“She’s gone and you’re free. Even if it hurts, you are free,” she said.
“Don’t go down the rabbit hole of ‘she was never good enough for you’, Ella,” I said.
She leaned over me, looking down as I lay with my head on a pillow. Her face and resolve comforted me. She looked at me with compassion, not pity.
“It doesn’t help. I know. And I’d not say it, Duncan. Because I gather that wasn’t your issue. What I will say is… you deserve happiness. We all do. She does, too.”
“Thanks. And thanks for not blowing smoke up my arse.”
“Anytime.”
I asked, “Want to fly away somewhere?”
She looked pained. “I have plans, Duncan. Sorry.”
“Oh.” I assumed they were plans with a man.
“Not that you’re allowed any ownership of me, Duncan, but no. It’s not with a man. It’s with a friend and her family—my chosen family. I am going to visit them in Switzerland for the long weekend. You said I could go. It was last minute, but they sent me—”
“Oh, go, go, for sure,” I said, disappointed.
I would miss her. Genuinely miss her.
“Unless, you know, you could play hooky for a couple of days and fly me out?” She chirped.
“I have a long weekend, yes. That’s why I asked. Where are you going?”
“Andermatt,” she answered.
“Oh, posh!”
“Fuck off!” Ella giggled. “You’re one to talk! My friends’ parents have a chalet. They’re still there and they are desperate to see me. Well, it’s more of a compound. They get passes to the resort.”
“So you like to ski?”
“No. I loathe it. It scares the shit out of me. However, I love the spa and eating cheese and chocolate. Switzerland is great. Also, my friend Monique—she’s like my sister—I would go to the ends of the earth to see her.”
I smiled. “I get that.”
“You have a friend like that?”
“I do,” I answered.
“And where is he now?”
“His name is Stache,” I said. “And he is married with three kids. I don’t see him all that often. I should ring him. It’s the new year. I lost him a bit… in the breakup.”
“How did you lose him?”
“He is good friends with Vanessa’s brother. And… I was the pariah in Nessa’s eyes at the time. Even though he knew about the infidelity, that sort of thing bothers him less. For me, it was clearly unforgivable. For him, I was being unreasonable. And he’ll be there this weekend.”
“That’s awful. I’m sorry.”
“I’d fly you out there,” I offered. “I’d appreciate the distraction.”
“Duncan, you cannot be seen with me like that. Like… what would I tell them?”
“I can get a hotel room and chill. You can relax with your friends. And make it look like you’re babysitting me. I am not asking you to go on a romantic weekend together.”
I wasn’t. Maybe I wanted to be, but I wasn’t supposed to. There was a boundary there. It would be awkward, too. Ella barely let me kiss her and I never slept in her bed overnight. We were not together. She made that clear. It made it hot. It provided mystery.
“Sure, fine, if you can clear it with your people, Duncan. I don’t care as long as we make It there in one piece,” Ella agreed. “You need a break. I’ll take pity upon you, Duncan.”
“Thanks,” I said. “In this case, I am accepting any and all pity.”