She needed to tell him the truth. What was the point of hiding it now? She'd become wholly focused on that issue, and the stress that she'd acquired from worrying too much about it had resulted in even worse morning sickness.
She knew it wasn't fair to keep it a secret, especially since she'd noticed how excited Royce was about the baby. He thought it wasn't his, and he already loved it so much. Elis didn't think there ever was a better man than Royce. He'd just been so supportive and so kind... She couldn't hide it anymore. He might end up hating her, but it was a risk she was willing to take.
That day, she'd decided to meet with him and tell him everything. But her plans were interrupted by a certain someone.
She was taking the tea in the day room when the footman had announced Francis.
"See him in." She directed, frowning a little at this impromptu visit. Ever since she'd refused his suit, she had not seen Francis or talked to him. She assumed Royce would have let him know about their nuptials. Oh my, what if he didn't know. That would be quite the situation.
She was ready for such a scenario when Francis came in, looking better than she'd seen him in years.
"Francis." She gave him a soft smile, still unsure how the meeting would proceed.
"Countess," He beamed at her, and at once, her worries were alleviated.
"What brings you here?" She asked. She motioned for him to take a seat and asked for some more tea and sandwiches to be brought over.
"I wanted to personally apologize to you." He took a seat.
Elis frowned. "Apologize to me? Why? I should be the one apologizing." She said with half a laugh, taking a sip of her tea to mask her nervousness. She had really bungled up things with Francis.
"No, it's entirely my fault. I courted you with hidden intentions. You see, my financial situation was extremely dire, and I needed some funds with express urgency."
"So, you thought my dowry would do," Elis added.
Francis grimaced at her frankness but nodded.
"I'm sorry. I led you to believe I had romantic feelings for you."
"Psh!" Elis waved her hand dismissively. "I did the same, when in fact, I had feelings for someone else."
"Then, I am glad we did not end up marrying. We would have been miserable together."
"Indeed." She agreed with a smile.
"I have to say I was taken aback by your marriage to Royce. But then, I should have expected he would step in. He's always had a soft spot for you."
The tea arrived, and Francis helped himself to some sandwiches.
"Yes, Royce has been wonderful to me. I don't like it, though, that he married me out of his sense of duty. I can't help but feel like I trapped him." Elis confided, turning her face away so that Francis wouldn't see the depth of feelings likely mirrored in her gaze.
"Really, Elis?" Francis laughed. She slowly turned to see him sporting an amused expression. "You think you trapped him?" Francis shook his head. "I've never seen Royce do anything that he didn't want to. He bought a commission when everyone told him not to, for God's sake. And for you? I doubt there's anything he would not do."
"What do you mean?"
"Elis, you can't be that blind. Royce loves you; he always has. And I was an arse for not taking his feelings into consideration. I was too desperate for money to care about that." Francis's expression looks pained, but Elis wasn't convinced.
"Yes, I know he loves me. As a brother. That's not a foundation for marriage." Elis sighed.
"You're a fool if you think that." Francis was about to continue when Royce entered the room.
Francis stood up to shake his hand.
"Now that you're both here, I can tell you the initial purpose of my visit." Francis started.
"I've married." Both Royce and Elis looked shocked at his declaration.
"Say that again?" Royce asked.
"You know I needed money. And fast. Well..." His smile turned sheepish. "I found an heiress. One thing led to another, and now we are happily married."
"By happily, you mean..." Royce narrowed his eyes at him.
"Happily in love."
Royce drew Francis into a hug and congratulated him. Elis followed suit.
They spent some more time catching up, and Francis told them all about his adventure with his heiress and how he'd helped her run away from her sadistic uncle. A few hours later, he excused himself, saying that his lovely wife is awaiting him.
"Bring her with you next time!" Elis told him before he left.
And so, now Royce and Elis were left alone.
Royce started chatting about some of the issues he'd found on the estate, but Elis couldn't listen anymore.
Everything inside of her was telling her to confess. Just as she was about to open her mouth, Royce beat her to it and asked.
"Do you still love him?"
"What?" Elis whipped her head to regard Royce. What was he about?
"Francis. I couldn't help but feel you were withdrawn when he was talking about his wife." He commented.
"Of course not!" She exclaimed. I was thinking about how to tell you the truth, you idiot! But she couldn't very well tell him that.
Royce gave a noncommittal nod and stood up to leave.
"Wait! Royce..." She needed to find the courage... it was now or never.
He raised his eyebrows in question, and she took a deep breath.
"I have something to tell you."
He turned towards her and waited.
"I..." She was suddenly at a loss of words. How did she go about telling him that they'd slept together, and he couldn't remember it? Would he even believe her? Suddenly she was faced with the possibility that he may not believe her. Who in their right mind would? So scared she was of that possibility
