Royce had distanced himself from Elis. The ceremony had been relatively short, and only family had been present. Once they'd been proclaimed husband and wife, they'd gotten inside the coach and had gone straight to Nottingfield, their new home.
Royce could see from the corner of his eye how unhappy Elis was, and his heart was breaking. He knew how stubborn she was, and she was likely angry that he'd forced her hand. But how could he let her be shunned for being pregnant and unmarried? He couldn't in good faith do that, more so given how much he loved her. Royce was aware that his intention had not been entirely selfless. He'd have done anything to have Elis, and when the opportunity presented itself, he grasped it with both hands.
That didn't mean he was happy at the turn of events. He wondered whether Elis was heartbroken after that fellow that abandoned her. He didn't want to think about it, though, because that would make him go crazy, wondering about everything that had occurred between them...
When they arrived at the Nottingfield house, they each headed to their own rooms and refused to talk to one another.
It was only towards the evening that they bumped into each other, quite by accident. Elis had demanded to have her meals sent to her room, while Royce had spent the rest of the day in his library with a bottle of brandy. He'd been staring at his empty glass when the sound of the door opening had jolted him.
He noted the startled expression on Elis's face as well upon seeing him. With a mumbled apology, she made to close the door and retreat. But Royce decided he could not have that.
"Elis!" He called out to her. Her shoulders stiffened for a second before she turned.
"What?" She snapped at him.
"We should talk this out," Royce suggested, not being able to bear the silent treatment anymore.
"Talk out what?" She came inside the library, closing the door behind her. She took another few steps until she was in front of him, her hands on her hips in a determined stance. "How you bullied me into marrying you?"
"I didn't bully you." Royce felt compelled to correct her, but he didn't sound that convincing even to his ears.
"Really?" Elis raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you call compromising me in front of my own father? Or later telling them I am already expecting your child? You had no right, Royce!" Her hands clenched around the material of her skirts in frustration.
"I couldn't just leave you like that, Elis! Try to see it from my perspective. You're my dearest friend..." He started, but Elis interrupted him.
"That's exactly it, Royce. I'm your friend, nothing more. I'm not your responsibility."
"That's where you're wrong." Royce stood up and went to her, taking her hands in his. "You're very much my responsibility. But don't confuse that with burden, Elis!"
Elis scoffed at his words but did not move her hands out of his.
"We can still get this annulled." Her eyes brightened at the idea. "And then you can go on with your life," Elis suggested.
Royce's hands tightened on hers.
"No! Out of discussion. We're not getting an annulment. Don't you get it? You're my life. I don't care if we're just friends... for now. But maybe with time... maybe you'll forget that man that has your heart."
Elis's eyes widened at his words, her mouth forming a small O.
"You want to be more than friends?" She whispered, and immediately Royce got scared.
He didn't want her to think that he would pressure her into anything before she was ready; least of all demand she share his bed.
"No. I mean, yes, eventually. We could build our own family. I swear I will treat the babe in your belly as my own." He tried to assure her, but her eyes turned glossy. The sight of unshed tears made him still.
"Elis?" He asked, suddenly unsure of himself.
"But you don't love me. And now you won't be able to find a woman to love... to fall in love with." She started crying, tears falling down her cheeks uncontrollably.
"Shh, sweet. I don't need anyone else." He tugged her to his chest, resting his chin on her head. His arms came around her and held her tight. "Don't worry about that." He whispered in her hair. But all his words of comfort only made her cry even harder.
So he let her. She cried until she was spent, and he could feel the exhaustion claiming her as she became pliable in his arms.
Royce put his arm under her knee and swooped her in his arms, taking her to her room.
She'd been so stressed that she'd simply collapsed from crying too much. Reaching the room, he carefully placed her on the bed. He took a moment to regard her. His Elis, even with her tear-stained face, was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
She sighed softly in her sleep, and he couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. Bending down, he kissed her forehead.
"Sleep sweet. I promise I'll treat you like a princess. I'll make you forget that fellow of yours. I promise you." He whispered, knowing fully well she couldn't hear him.
He carefully tucked her in, making sure every inch was covered so she wouldn't catch a chill.
With one last glance, he went to his own room.
CHAPTER 16
A month passed in which Elis and Royce slowly rebuilt their friendship and their trust. Although they were not as open as they had once been, they were heading towards a pleasant partnership.
At least that's what Elis thought. Neither of them had brought up the circumstances of the marriage or their personal objections to the situation at hand. Instead, Royce was ever so attentive to her when she was feeling under the weather or when her pregnancy was
