The Almost Perfect Love Story

Part 22 - Is There A Happily Ever After

"Collin! Ella!" Joanna called us. "Do come here!"

Collin kissed my cheek as we made our way through the throng of people.

"If this is the life you want, to be a Duchess one day, we have to get used to always being around people."

"I really don't care about all of that. I just want to be with you."

He smiled down at me and squeezed my hand.

"Dear, I need you to clarify something for your father and I," she said, looking very irritated.

"What's that, Mother?" Collin asked.

"Do you plan on giving up the Dukedom?"

"Giving up....have you spoken with Andrew?"

"No. I haven't, but he's telling everyone that you are going to step down from being a Baron and you're giving it to him. You know that's not..."

"Mother," Collin held up his hand, "I have no plans on stepping aside. Ella and I will become Duke and Duchess."

"Wonderful. I shall correct everybody and give a stern talking to your cousin."

"He is a slimy little weasel."

"You know he's been after the title ever since he was a boy."

Collin took a deep breath and looked around the room looking for Andrew. He spotted him near a group of well-dressed, royal-looking individuals. 

"He's talking with the prince and princess," Collin grumbled.

"Oh no, he's not!" Joanna exclaimed, stalking off toward the weasely little man.

Joanna marched over to where Andrew was conversing with the prince and princess. Collin and I followed closely behind her, trying to keep a low profile.

As we approached, Andrew turned and caught sight of us. A smug grin spread across his face.

"Ah, there you are, dear cousin. I was just regaling His Highness and Her Highness with stories of your childhood. You were always such a troublemaker."

"What are you up to, Andrew?" Collin asked, his voice laced with anger.

"Oh, nothing much. Just preparing for when the dukedom inevitably falls into my lap."

"That's not going to happen," Joanna interjected sharply. "Collin and Ella will be the next Duke and Duchess. Shame on you for trying to take advantage of your cousin!"

Andrew's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

"Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?" he said, his eyes glinting with malice.

Robert emerged from the crowd, looking less than pleased. "Andrew. I should have known that you were the cause of chaos. You can leave."

"What? But Uncle Robert!"

"No. You need to leave now. I will converse with your father tomorrow."

Andrew stuck his lip out as a child would when pouting when they didn't get their way, and retreated from the ballroom.

Joanna turned to us with a look of satisfaction. "Don't worry, my dears. Your father and I will handle Andrew and any other troublemakers that come your way."

Collin put his arm around my waist and smiled at his mother. "Thank you, Mother. We appreciate your support."

As we made our way back through the crowd, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Andrew's behavior had been unsettling, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there might be more trouble to come. If anything from our time together, drama and antics seemed to just follow us so Andrew was sure to pop back up at some point. 

I also suspected Edward and Monica would show their raging heads soon when they found out about the engagement. Especially a public engagement that involved a future Duke.

"Are you alright?" Collin whispered into my ear.

"Hmm? Oh yeah. I'm fine." I pursed my lips for a moment. "Just thinking about how crazy things have been with all of the people in our lives recently."

"What do you mean?"

"Ed, Monica, and now Andrew. It's like how many people are just hoping for our failure?"

"Don't worry about any of them. Absolutely nothing will stop us from having the most wonderful wedding and splendid wedding."

"Great. That's great."

"There is one thing," he said.

"What's that?"

"We have to decide if we want to stay in the United States or come here to Scotland."

"Oh. Hmm. I don't know. I mean, both would be great."

"Shh," he said, kissing the back of my hand. "We don't have to decide anything yet."

"Good."

"When do you want to get married?"

"I've always wanted a summer or a fall wedding."

"Mother will want the wedding here. So let's say August or September? We should have a better chance of a dry day then."

"Married in Scotland?"

"Not just Scotland, my love. Here. At the castle."

My breath caught in my throat. Married in a castle! 

"This is like...I don't know. A dream. A wonderful dream I never want to wake up from."

"The dream is just beginning. I promise you a life of joy and happiness."

As the night drew to a close, Collin and I said our goodbyes to the remaining guests and made our way back to our room. As soon as we were alone, Collin took my hand and led me to the balcony overlooking the gardens.

"It's beautiful here," I said, taking in the view.

"It's even more beautiful with you here," he replied, pulling me close.

We stood there for a moment, lost in each other's arms, watching the stars twinkle above us.

"I love you, Ella," Collin whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

"I love you too, Collin," I replied, feeling my heart swell with emotion.

"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. To explore the world, to have adventures, to raise a family together."

"Me too," I said, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.

We stayed there for a while longer, wrapped up in each other, enjoying the peace and quiet of the night.

As we headed back inside, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Despite all the drama and chaos that had surrounded us, I knew that as long as Collin was by my side, everything would be okay. We had each other, and that was all that mattered.

I sat at the vanity and began the arduous task or removing all of the bobby pins from my hair and finally getting the makeup off my face.