Celine spent the hour before dinner fussing with her clothing and hair. It distracted her from the task that lay ahead. She did not experience second thoughts or harbor any fear regarding her decision. However, she preferred to complete the task, finish the argument and move on with her life.
Much to her surprise, after she accepted Gray’s marriage proposal, he informed her the Carlyles assumed they were already married when they arrived. She wondered for a brief moment if this was the source of Gray’s proposal, but he was quick to cast aside any doubts in her mind. It added to her sense of belonging with him.
They made their announcement at breakfast, telling Alexander and the Carlyles that they planned to marry once any formalities were completed to end her ties with Marcus. She recalled the moment, allowing her sense of joy to wash over her again. Everyone expressed happiness regarding the decision. This was her destiny, not the life she had been living. She would be free and happy now. She allowed her mind to focus on that rather than dwell on the nastiness in her immediate future. She would get through it, she promised herself. She spent twenty-six years with Marcus. Twenty-six years he had spent lying to her, manipulating her. It would end tonight.
At dinner, conversation was stilted. Marcus’ presence and sour disposition toward the Buckleys put a general damper on any conversations. Celine was relieved when the meal ended, and they shared an after-dinner drink in the sitting room. She nursed her sherry, preparing herself for the inevitable confrontation with Marcus.
After one brandy, Marcus suggested they retire for the evening. “We will retire for the evening. Celine and I must leave early tomorrow morning to return to London.”
“Tomorrow morning?” Damien inquired. “Aren’t you staying until Sunday?”
“That is impossible, Mr. Carlyle. We have urgent business in London and must cut our visit short. Come, Celine.”
“No,” Gray interjected, “I believe you are mistaken.”
“Excuse me, Buckley?” Marcus responded.
Celine stood, placing herself between them. “Let us speak in private, Marcus,” she suggested.
“No,” Gray argued again. “There is no need to speak in private. In fact, it is best not to.”
“What is the meaning of this, Celine?” Marcus inquired.
Celine swallowed hard. She took a deep, steadying breath. “I will not return to London with you tomorrow, Marcus.”
“Celine, we have been through this. You will not stay on until Sunday. I have already made my decision, and it is final.”
Celine shook her head. “No, Marcus. I will not return tomorrow or Sunday or ever.”
Marcus glanced around the room, then back to Celine. A laugh escaped his mouth. “Whatever are you talking about, Celine?”
“I am leaving you, Marcus. Our marriage is ended.”
Marcus’ face changed in an instant. “You must be out of your mind, Celine. Have your new friends put you up to this? Have you gone mad?”
“No, Marcus, I have not,” Celine assured him. “No one has put me up to anything. I am quite in my right mind. Perhaps more in my right mind than I have been in twenty-six years.”
Marcus chuckled again. “Well, then I am sorry, my dear, however, I simply will not allow it. You shall return with me tomorrow to London. We shall then engage in a lengthy discussion regarding our marriage and your attitudes toward it. Now, come along.” He grasped her arm, pulling her toward the door.
She tugged back, trying to escape his grip. Gray, Alexander, Michael and Damien rushed after her. Gray pushed between her and Marcus, and Celine freed herself from his grasp. “Do not make this harder than it needs to be,” Celine advised.
“Harder than it needs to be?” Marcus questioned. “I will make it impossible, my dear. I will never allow you to betray me in this manner.”
“To betray you?” Celine queried, annoyance creeping into her voice. “I have not betrayed you, Marcus. It is you who have betrayed me for years.”
“How dare you, Celine?” he barked at her.
“No, Marcus, how dare you?” she answered, heat entering her voice. “My eyes have been opened to the depths of your betrayal all those years ago. It is YOU who is responsible for my father’s death. I have learned the truth and come to understand how you have manipulated me. I shall tolerate it no longer. We are finished.”
Surprise crossed Marcus’ face before he returned it to stone. “You are mistaken,” he began.
“Do not continue to lie to me,” she shot back. “I am not mistaken.”
“I did what needed to be done, Celine. Responsible or not, it is water under the bridge. I am your husband. It is too late for second thoughts.”
“No, Marcus, you are not. You are nothing to me anymore.”
“Do not say anything further, Celine. You may voice something you will regret.”
“I regret nothing except the last twenty-six years of my life.”
Fury shown on Marcus’ face. “I warn you, Celine, I shall not tolerate much more of this.”
“And I shall tolerate no more of you. I suggest you leave at once,” Celine proposed.
He set his jaw, staring at her. “You shall tolerate no more? You shall tolerate no more??? I am struggling to hold my patience with you, Celine, but I shall give you one more opportunity. Leave with me now and I shall be generous enough to spare your friends any consequences.”
Michael, Damien, Alexander and Gray gathered around her. Celine stood straighter, pushing her shoulders back
