OLD VERSION! DONT READ!

/Chapter Seven/ Part Two/

“The gardens?” Alexander asked?

“I…It’s where your father wanted it to be read.” She answered in a shaky voice. Alexander got off of the bed and then held a hand out to me. I took it and got off too. After finding my shoes, the three of us walked to the gardens. It wasn’t a sunny day like the days before were, it was grey and cloudy. The weather was reflecting the atmosphere that fell upon us as we were met by the family. Aunt Eliza and Heather were there with tear streaks on their faces and my father looked perfectly composed as they looked up to acknowledge us. I saw a man amongst the handful of people that I did not recognised and assumed he was to read out the Duke’s will.

“Is this everyone now?” the man asked the Duchess.

The duchess nodded and took a seat on the chairs laid out beside her sister in law. I sat next to my father and so did Alexander. Even he looked a little woeful as he sat. Although father would always talk bad of the man who had his beloved killed, he was still friends with the Duke for years.

“Now let us begin,” the man announced. Clearing his throat, he continued, “The last Will and Testament of Edward Gustave Mathews: I led a full and mostly happy life with my wife Miranda Olivia Mathews and son Alexander Arthur Mathews. There is no doubt that these people are the most important things in my life. They deserve so much for tolerating me when I was so horrid.”

I looked and saw that Duchess was crying her eyes out and that tears were rolling down Alexander’s face. My father got up and took his chair so he was beside the Duchess. He hugged the crying women for a moment and nodded for the man to continue.

“To my dear sweet Miranda I leave every jewel Queen Victoria was kind enough to give me, the fine carriages you loved to ride in, half of my fortune and of course the villa we were to grow old together in. I ask you to not forget me but do not remember me so often. Think of me and do not cry from grief, cry in memory of the happy times we had together because I could not bare to see you cry. Whether I’m in heaven or in hell, I’ll watch over you. I love you.”

Miranda smiled lightly and whispered, “I’ll miss you.” It wasn’t meant for anyone to hear. I think the only person meant to was the Duke.

The man came to everyone sitting and told them what was left for them. Heather and her mother Eliza received some of the Duke’s valuable antiques and a cottage he owned in Scotland. My father got his hunting equipment, some antiques and paintings. I wondered what he let Alexander. I’m sure he would want to leave him something nice for the years of abuse.

“To my only child and son Alexander, I have purchased and signed over our third home near to your mother’s villa to you so you and Mercy have a place of your own to grow old together in. I have hired a handful of servants to serve you mother as all other workers are to serve you in your new home. I also give you half of my fortune. There is nothing I could say or do to make up for your suffering during your childhood so I’ll leave you with this: I love you. You were my first and last born and incredibly gifted in the arts. Use your intelligants and carry out your duties as Duke honourably and take care of Mercy. I know you weren’t able to see each other for years but I have no doubt in my mind you both will have a long happy life together.” Alexander nodded and looked down to his lap. I slipped a hand in his and gripped it tightly. “And lastly, To Mercy-”

“He left me something?!” I blurted out in shock. He included me in his will?! How…sweet.

“Yes he did. To Mercy I leave ownership to the stables given to me by the generous Queen Victoria as I know she is fascinated by horses.” I blushed when he read aloud I liked horses. “Also, I give her this golden bracelet given to me by her mother as a birthday gift. When she is reunited with her, it will come in handy. I hope her and Alexander have a long and happy life together.” The paper was folded and put into a case by the man’s foot signalling that was the end of the will. Out of the same case he retrieved a small black box and handed it to me. “I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”

The man stood and so did my father. “Thank you; allow me to escort you out.”

I could not believe that the Duke would leave me anything, I was in shock that he did! As I opened the box I gawped at the jewelleries beauty. The bracelet was gorgeous. It was a simple chain with a golden solid heart attached to it. I wonder why she gave him this. It was lovely but a tad feminine. What did the Duke mean when he said 'it will come in handy'? Did mother give it to him for any reason? Whether she did or not, didn't matter. It could be a memorial to both the duke and my mother. I grimaced as I remembered the confrontation with my mother but remembered it wasn't a demon in her image. Her good memory was still intact and I couldn’t be happier. I'd never take this bracelet off.

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I hope this was okay! Vote and comment if you liked it! :D

Okay so I'm going to say from now that this is a Trilogy! It comprises of 'The Unwanted Maiden' and Two others. I've started writing a rough outline of this story in Alexander's point of view and plan on posting it soon :D It'll be called 'The Dark Duke's Charm.' Do you guys want that? Or should I just finish this and then post it???? Loads of confusion would be cleared up in that book! :)

Anywho, tell me what you think!

MoNiQuE <33