Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her.”
MONROE
I WOKE UP IN THE hospital bed late Wednesday morning, feeling the effects of the fall. It was a soreness and stiffness like I’d never known. I’d kind of hoped I would get to skip that part, since I’d already dealt with it in my dream. But that was wishful thinking. I felt like ... well, like I’d fallen off a horse and hit the ground. At least I had access to modern pain relievers instead of opium. Not only was I dealing with pain, but I also had to come to terms with the fact that it had been only a vivid dream and I hadn’t really been gone for well over a fortnight. Sure, I was ecstatic I hadn’t died, and even grateful there was no such thing as Fantasy Island . It was even a relief that I hadn’t proved the space-time continuum theory—sorry, Einstein. But ... with all that good news, I also had to address why I hadn’t woken up right away.
The doctor told me in the wee morning hours when they’d woken me to check my vitals that he believed it was caused by a psychological injury. Psychogenic unresponsiveness , he’d called it. It’s caused by trauma or stress. Falling off the horse was definitely traumatic, but the possibility of losing my best friend, even more so. I suppose the dream made more sense in that light. I think I just wanted a safe place where I could be true to myself and still have Fitz in my life. Who knew I didn’t really want to be Elizabeth Bennet? Although, I had to say: I rocked her. But I think more than anything, all I’d ever wanted was to be accepted for who I am. I’d forgotten that, but my brain had a funny way of reminding me.
The room came into focus, and I saw Fitz standing by the bed, dressed in his regular clothing and looking as freakishly handsome as ever. Honestly, he really should have been number one on the hottest bachelor list.
“Hi,” I croaked, my throat dry. I felt shy around him, considering I’d admitted the dream to him and cried myself to sleep while he held me tight. He was my best friend, and I’d wanted and needed him to play that role, even though I feared for our future. I knew he said he loved me, and I loved him too. But how could we move forward when it was clear now that I was definitely not cut out to be in his noble world, and that I embarrassed him?
“Good morning.” He bent down, kissed my forehead, and lingered. Dang man, he knew I was a sucker for a good forehead kiss—I always squealed in movies when one occurred. Fitz knew all my secrets. “I have something I need to do.”
“You’re leaving me?” I didn’t mean to sound needy, but hello, I’d just woken up from some peculiar coma state that had the doctor bewildered. And regardless of our relationship status, I needed him here. “What’s so important?”
He ran a finger down my cheek. “You.”
“Then why do you have to leave?”
“You’ll see.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, darling, I’m not leaving you without company.” He looked over his shoulder and out to the hall. “You can come in,” he called.
I glanced at the door, and in walked my dad, Kingston, and Anna, who carried a beautiful bouquet of daises, my favorite flower, and a shopping bag from a ritzy store here in the UK.
“Dad,” I cried. “When did you get here?”
My goofy dad, dressed in a loud golf shirt and joggers, his thinning gray hair disheveled, rushed to my bedside. “Kingston and Anna just picked me up from the airport. Alastair made all the arrangements.”
Fitz moved out of the way and let my dad have at me. Before Dad sat on the bed and wrapped his arms around me, I mouthed “Thank you” to Fitz, who wore an air of melancholy determination. It made me wonder where he was going and what it had to do with me.
I sank into Dad’s embrace.
“Hey, kiddo.” He kissed my head. “You scared your old man. Who was I going to tell all my dad jokes to?” his voice cracked.
“I could do with a good dad joke.” I squeezed him back the best I could. It was kind of painful.
Dad leaned away and took me in, making sure I was all right. I probably looked frightful, but I hadn’t had a chance yet to look at myself. That catheter was a real killjoy. But it was better than a chamber pot, so I hadn’t complained.
“I have just the joke for you,” Dad said, his eyes coated with a sheen of moisture. “Did you hear about the guy who invented Life Savers? They say he made a mint!”
I giggled, and everyone in the room chuckled.
“Good one, Dad.”
He smiled and took my hand.
“I must be off,” Fitz announced before I had time to say hello to Anna and Kingston. They were giving off some major sexual tension vibes as they stood close, but purposely not too close. Yep, I was going to try to fix that—I had to be true to myself. But, later. First, I had to deal with my own love life.
“Where are you going?” I tried to find out one more time.
“To redeem myself.”
I remembered what he’d said about Pride and Prejudice being a story of redemption, and that’s why it was so beloved. At the core, he was right. It was the ultimate redemption story for both the hero and the heroine. But what did Fitz plan to do to redeem himself? To fix our story? I mean, I’d seen his estate already, and of course it enthralled me, but I didn’t need a country estate. And I didn’t have any sisters to save from Wickham. So I just asked, “How?”
He winked and walked out, not saying a word.
I immediately interrogated Kingston—he always knew what Fitz was up to. “Where’s he going?”
Kingston grinned. “You know I cannot betray his confidence, Miss Monroe.”
“Fine. Anna?”
Beautiful Anna, with her mischievous emerald eyes and silky sandy-brown hair done in waterfall curls, tiptoed my way. “You know I would tell you if I knew.” She sat on the bed next to my dad. “Which is why my prat of a brother wouldn’t tell me.” She handed me the flowers.
I breathed in their subtle, sweet fragrance with a hint of grassy undertones. “Thank you.”
Anna held up the bag. “I also brought you some pajamas and a change of clothes.”
“You are a goddess.”
“She is,” Kingston said, but then realized he’d said it out loud and cleared his throat in a way that warned us all not to mention it.
But Anna blushed all the same.
Kingston rushed to take the flowers from me. “I’ll put these with the rest of the flowers.”
I had a room full of flowers. Fitz had told me that many of the bouquets were from my newfound friends at Pride and Prejudice Park. I wondered who was playing the roles of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. I hoped it was Macey and Zane.
“So, tell us how you are?” Anna asked, trying to move on from Kingston’s slip of the tongue.
Dad and I gave each other knowing looks. Even Dad knew that Anna and Kingston had it bad for each other.
I rested against the pillows, feeling achy. “I’ve felt better, but I’m alive.” Thank goodness for that.
“We are all very happy about that.” Anna patted my leg.
“I don’t know about your mum and Winnifred.” I grinned.
Anna rolled her eyes. “Yes, I heard Winnifred showed up at Pride and Prejudice Park, along with your ex-fiancé.”
“Tony is here?” Dad asked, shocked.
“Unfortunately. Though I don’t know why.”
“I can help there,” Kingston offered from the seat he had taken in the corner of the small room.
I sat up, even though it hurt. “Really? How?”
“His Grace asked me to look into it. He believed something foul was at play, and he wasn’t wrong.”
“Do tell.” I was anxious to know.
Kingston recounted how he learned that Tony had been embezzling funds from his family’s plumbing business and that he was actually working at the park.
“Are you serious? Why come here?”
Kingston leaned forward with a hint of a smile on his handsome face. He was totally a Gerard Butler type. “From what I gather from speaking to his father, he’s running from his legal troubles, and he came here to convince His Grace to give him back the fee he’d paid for your honeymoon.”
“Does Fitz know any of this?”
“Yes, madam. The man had the audacity to visit him here and ask for the money.”
“I hope Fitz didn’t give it to him.”
“Of course he didn’t,” Kingston said. “But you should know that Tony’s father is most thankful to you. Had you not talked to him about giving Tony more money, he might not have discovered his son’s betrayal until it was too late. He had taken your words into consideration and planned to give Tony a raise, which caused him to take a closer look at the books.”
“You mean Tony didn’t get fired because of me?”
“No, madam. Your actions saved their family business.”
“Huh.” I guess not everything I tried to fix ended in a disaster.
“I’m just relieved you didn’t end up with Tony,” Dad said. “He wasn’t and isn’t the right man for you.”
“Who is, then?” I asked before I thought it through.
“You know, I could do with a cup of tea.” Anna jumped up.
“I’ll join you.” Kingston stood.
“We’ll be back.” Anna waved. “And when we return, we’ll get you into some proper sleepwear.”
“Thank you both for coming, and for being my friends,” my voice hitched. I felt so loved, and so confused. Well, confused about my best friend—the man I knew I belonged with. But I couldn’t see a possible happy outcome.
“Miss Monroe,” Kingston said before they walked out the door. “I don’t know if His Grace would want me to say this, but I think you should know that he’s willing to renounce his title, if that is what you wish. I told him you wouldn’t want that. But as I said, I thought you should be aware.”
I turned to my dad and buried my head in his chest, tears streaming down my face. “He’s such an idiot,” I said half-heartedly. How dare he be so wonderful? Of course, I didn’t want him to renounce his title. I didn’t even know that was an option.
Dad chuckled. “He’s a good kid, that one. I’ve always thought so.” He paused before he added, “I hoped one day you two would figure out that you were the best kind of friends.”
“Oh, Dad. We can’t be. I embarrass him.”
Dad patted my back. “He told me what happened.”
“So you saw the picture in the Daily Mail ?”
“I did. I thought you looked great. Your grams loved it. She said she’s going to print out a copy and put it on her fridge. She’s proud of you, as am I.”
I laughed and cringed. “Why would you be? I’m a laughingstock.”
Dad leaned away from me, his kind brown eyes lasering in on my own. “Let the world laugh. What do they know? That picture says you have a heart as big as Texas. You always have. And since when do you care so much about what people think of you?”
“Since it became international news and my best friend suggested I change everything about myself in order for us to be together,” I choked out.
“Oh, honey, he doesn’t believe that.”
I opened my mouth to disagree, but Dad beat me to the punch.
“I know what he said. He told me. Of course, as your dad, I gave him a stern talking-to.”
“Sure you did. I don’t think you know how to be stern.”
Dad smiled. “Guilty, but in my defense, I did try to let him have it. However, I didn’t need to. He’s sick about what he said. And, I think, more so about what he hasn’t said over the years.”
“And what’s that?”
“That he loves you and you’re the only woman for him. That’s been apparent since you were in school together.”
“He evaded a romantic relationship with me because I embarrass him.”
“I don’t believe that. I think he was raised in a cold environment where everyone, from his parents to society, taught him to behave in a certain way. And you, my love, taught him a different way. I think he wants that way of life more than anything—he just went about it poorly.” Dad chuckled.
“I don’t know, Dad,” I whined. “Did you see his face in the photo?”
“All I saw was a man not willing to leave you, even though he was uncomfortable.” Dad tapped my nose. “Now, what does that say about him?”
“Are you taking his side?” I teased.
“I’m always on your side. The thing is, I can’t imagine Alastair not by your side, and I don’t think you want that either. I know you have some things to work out, but my advice to you is not to let one foolish moment define the lifetime of love you two have already shared.”
Whoa. Those words hit hard. But ... “Dad, I’ll make him a social outcast. I don’t know if I have what it takes to hold a title.”
“I don’t think Alastair wishes to keep company with anyone who doesn’t want to be around you. And as far as you not being worthy of a title, that’s ridiculous. Aren’t duchesses involved in charitable causes? I can’t think of anyone who likes to help people more than you.”
“You mean who causes more disasters than me?”
“Honey, look what you just found out about Tony,” he growled his name. “What you thought was a disaster not only saved a family business, it saved you from marrying that louse. And the fact that you try to help counts more than you realize. Most people just need to know someone sees them and cares about them. That is your gift.”
I rested my head on Dad’s shoulder. “You know how to make a girl feel good and give her hope.” Hope that maybe Fitz and I didn’t have to say goodbye, and that just being Monroe wasn’t such a bad gig at all.
“You make it easy, kid.” Dad kissed my head. “Now get some rest. I love you.”
“Love you too, Dad.” I snuggled back into my pillow and closed my eyes, hoping I didn’t fall back into some strange dreamworld. It was weird how exhausted I was after having slept for so long. Not that it was a peaceful sleep. I had been trying to save one of the greatest stories of all time.
I didn’t get a lot of rest between being poked and prodded throughout the afternoon and having several tests run, including a CAT scan. Apparently, I was a medical miracle, as they couldn’t find anything wrong with me. But they were going to run more tests to make sure.
Dad, Anna, and Kingston stayed with me. Once I got the all clear and the nurses removed all the medical equipment, Anna helped me into some pink silk pj’s and fixed my hair. We discovered some nasty bruises on my body from the fall and a big knot on the back of my head. Only time would heal the bumps and bruises—and my heart—but I had hope for both, even though Fitz still hadn’t returned and Kingston was staying tight lipped about where he was.
It wasn’t until that evening while we were eating Thai takeout that Fitz strolled in, looking satisfied with himself. He came straight to me and sat on the bed, kissing my lips like he’d just come home from work and this was old hat for us.
“Uh. Hi.” I admit his brief peck of a kiss made the butterflies in my stomach not only dance, but twerk. It was way better than Mr. Darcy—not to say Mr. Darcy didn’t know how to kiss.
“Hello, darling.”
“I don’t know if you deserve to call me that yet.” Okay, yes, I loved it. It was cute that he called me darling , but we had some things to work out—big things.
“Oh really?” His freaking sexy left brow quirked debonairly. “Kingston, will you please turn on the telly?”
“Yes, sir.” He hopped to it.
Meanwhile, Fitz took my plate of food and placed it on the bedside table before taking my hand.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re behaving oddly. What are you up to?”
“Just watch.” He pointed to the small flat-screen TV hanging on the wall.
This was weird, but I was more than curious, especially when Kingston turned the channel to one of the evening news programs in the UK.
We all glued ourselves to the screen. The correspondents covered some key segments about parliament, the weather, and the royal family—nothing out of the ordinary. I kept glancing at Fitz, questioning why we were watching the news, but he said nothing. He just kept running his thumb over my skin and smiling to himself. Things didn’t get interesting until the last segment when the woman correspondent said, “Tonight we have an exclusive interview with His Grace, the Duke of Blackthorne, Alastair Fitzroy.”
We all whipped our heads in Fitz’s direction—well, minus Kingston, who obviously knew about this. Fitz hated doing interviews.
“Is this about the new program you want to start at Oxford?” I asked. He’d been hoping to reach out to the community and offer free classes in history and literature.
“Just watch,” is all Fitz would say.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for what I saw next. There, in a posh room, across from the correspondent, sat Fitz, sporting a bonnet like it was commonplace for him to wear nineteenth-century women’s millinery—and not just any hat, but one of the actual bonnets that Grams and I had made. I couldn’t help but giggle, even though my heart felt like bursting. “Fitz,” I cried.
“Shh. Listen, darling,” he said playfully.
Okay, fine, he could call me darling . I snuggled closer to him, listening intently. Nothing but the purest kind of love would have induced Fitz to do something so wholly against his nature and upbringing.
“Have you gone bonkers?” Anna laughed. “Mum is going to be flapped over this.”
Oh, yeah she was.
The correspondent was doing her best to keep a straight face while she interviewed him. “In recent days, an article has been circulating regarding a woman whom some refer to as the next Duchess of Blackthorne.”
They flashed the photo on the screen of me at the airport wearing all my bonnets and a couple of dresses around my neck.
I started to cringe, but then the picture flashed back to Alastair, looking ridiculous and perfect.
“Would you like to address those rumors, Your Grace?”
“Yes, but first, I would like to state that we must never tolerate bullying, whether online or in person.” He adjusted his bonnet as if making his point.
I kissed his cheek, and he smiled, pleased with himself.
“To base an opinion on a photo without even knowing the context,” Fitz continued, “is absolute rubbish. That image and nasty article failed to tell the actual story. The beautiful woman wearing the bonnets had given away her luggage to an injured passenger on her flight, which necessitated wearing the contents of the bag on her person.”
The correspondent swallowed hard, as if she herself had judged me to be a loon. Not saying I wasn’t, but people should at least get to know me before making that assessment. But she quickly recovered and sat up in a dignified manner. “What an excellent reminder, Your Grace. So ...”—she leaned in eagerly—“will we be calling this good Samaritan the new Duchess of Blackthorne?”
The Duchess of Blackthorne. It was a scary title—one I had never wanted, but I wanted Fitz. I knew it meant having to face this fear.
“You know I don’t comment on my love life.” Fitz slyly smiled. “But I will say I would be the luckiest man in the world if she would have me.”
Whatever was said after that, I don’t know. I sat up and faced Fitz, bleary-eyed from the onslaught of tears.
Fitz gently brushed a few of them away with his thumb while giving me the most tender expression I’d ever seen. “Monroe, I am so sorry I hurt you and kept all of myself from you. There is no bigger regret in my life. I am the only one in our relationship of whom I am embarrassed. I love you, my darling friend. Most ardently,” he added.
“I don’t need you to talk Darcy to me.” I looked up at him from under my eyelashes. “I was thinking I would love it more if you talked duke to me.” Oh yes, I said that as coyly as I could.
“In that case,” he crooned, “everyone out.”
I blushed at the knowing looks everyone gave as they filed out.
“In a hospital bed, no less,” Anna laughed on her way to the door.
It’s not where I would have imagined the greatest moment of my life happening, but then again, we’re talking about me, so I should have assumed it would be some place odd.
Once everyone had left and the door was closed, Fitz took me in his arms, his hand gently cradling the back of my head, making sure not to press on the bump from my fall. He entangled his fingers in my hair and drew my face closer until we breathed in each other’s breaths. “Monroe, you are my best mate, my greatest love, the reason I know love exists. I want every part of you.”
Every goose bump I had perked up and applauded. Fitz was good—so good. Better than Mr. Darcy, in my estimation. Sorry, Jane Austen.
“Fitz.” I brushed my fingers over his warm, inviting lips, thinking of what he had just done for me and how he had always been there for me, even from the start. “You know, I’m still going to want to fix things.”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Maybe we could wear matching bonnets out in public sometime,” I teased.
“No, darling.” He brushed my lips ever so lightly, but I felt the emotions of it all the way to my toes.
“That’s okay—I prefer you without one anyway. I love you, Fitz.” I pressed my lips to his, never feeling more connected to another human in all my life. It was as if a bubble of intimacy closed around us, shutting out every sound except for the beat of our hearts. We explored the contours of each other’s lips, making me ache for more. I parted my lips, inviting just that—more of him. Of us. Fitz seized the opportunity and deepened the kiss, his fingers knotting more securely in my hair as we explored this newfound aspect of our relationship. So much love and desire and a profound sense of belonging and rightness encompassed us.
When the kiss ended after minutes of pure bliss, we found ourselves lying face-to-face, wrapped up in each other and gazing into each other’s eyes in amazement.
“Is that how you speak duke ?” I whispered. If that was the case, maybe being a duchess wouldn’t be all that bad.
He nipped my bottom lip, swollen from kissing, with his teeth. “That was just a taste.”
Whoa. A shiver ran through me, and I curled myself more into him. “I can’t wait to see what else you have in store.”
“Does this mean you forgive me?” he asked anxiously. “I am sorry, Monroe.”
“I know, and of course I forgive you. Now, let’s get back to our nonverbal communication.” I decided the best love stories were the unspoken ones.