Towards Wellingshire Townhouse, Upper Brook Street, 1893
Mark was sure Bella detested him as much as he detested her or rather he detested her till last year. Now he was not so sure. Now he wanted to hold her in his arms, he wanted to comfort her, he didn’t know for what. She was looking out of the window with a determined expression, as if she could take on the world. He wanted to take on the world for her. What was happening to him! Earlier also he used to get affected by her beauty, but it was lust mostly. Now he felt protective of her. He wanted to tackle all her demons. These emotions were new to him.
Cassie was thinking of what she would do in her future. Suddenly she thought of how lonely she was. The thought made her slump her shoulders with a sigh.
“A penny for your thoughts, Marchioness.” Mark interrupted her reverie when he saw her become despondent.
Startled, Cassie turned toward him. He had noticed her sigh, she knew. “Nothing, my lord. I am just tired.” she said and looked down again.
Mark looked at her fallen face and it brought out those protective urges in him again. Not knowing how to handle his new emotions, he looked away. He noticed Mrs. Weatherland was asleep; her mouth open. He felt a fly could go inside it, lay eggs and come out and she wouldn’t realize. The thought made him chuckle.
“I didn’t know that my being tired would amuse you so much.” said Cassie as she heard him laugh. The sound somehow pleased her, as if lifted a burden off her shoulders.
Mark looked at her. She was teasing him; not the way she used to do earlier, but in a rather friendly manner. He liked her teasing him thus.
“No”, he laughed. “I was contemplating about how many flies can enter Mrs. W’s mouth while she happily sleeps.” He gave her a mischievous grin.
Cassie looked at Mrs. Weatherland, saw her open mouth and burst out laughing.
“That is so mean of you to tease a dear old lady thus!” she said still laughing.
“I know it is mean. But I couldn’t help it.” he shrugged.
“Poor Mrs. Weatherland. And here she thinks that you are irreproachable.” she teased.
“I can’t help that either.” he faked a sigh.
“You are incorrigible!” she burst out laughing yet again.
He liked the sound of it. It sounded so genuine unlike the other times. He liked her company as well. He liked it for the first time since he had known her. He didn’t want this ride to end. But alas! They reached home and Mrs. Weatherland woke up with a start.
“Oh! That was a short ride! Got over in a wink, I must say!” exclaimed Mrs. Weatherland.
“Two winks, must say!” commented Mark as he looked at Cassie and winked. Cassie again started laughing and Mrs. Weatherland looked on with a puzzled expression.
They got down from the carriage. Mrs. Weatherland said that she was very tired and wished them good night; after which she went up to her room. The light in the library was still on indicating that His Grace was still awake.
Both Mark and Cassie walked towards the library in companionable silence. Cassie didn’t know how to approach the topic of Bella. Mark was content to walk beside Bella. For the first time he thought, it wouldn’t be so bad to make her his marchioness… ‘His Marchioness!’ He like the words and smiled to himself.
Cassie wanted to ask him the cause of his smile, but suddenly the library doors opened and His Grace came out.
“Cassie, my child, you are back!” cried the duke.
Cassie? Who is Cassie?, thought Mark.
Suddenly the duke noticed the young gentleman with Cassie. “Mark, what a pleasant surprise! Come in, my boy.” said the duke, as Cassie looked at the shock etched on Mark’s features.
Mark inclined his head at the duke. “Your Grace. Who is Cassie?” asked Mark.
“Ah! This is Cassie, Mark. I am sorry; I didn’t realize you were unaware. Bella was never found; she died along with my son and his wife.” said the duke looking dejected. And then he raised his eyes filled with love towards Cassie and continued, “Cassie then came into our lives. It’s a long story…” With this, the duke told Mark how Cassie had come to live with them. Mark heard it with equanimity.
But there were a multitude of thoughts going in his head. Cassie looked exactly like Bella. How was this possible? But then he should know better. There were too many twins in his family... too many people who looked alike. He had been so busy last year. He was out at sea, when he got the news of his sister and brother-in-law’s deaths. Bella was with them when the mishap occurred, but unfound as yet. The search for her was still on. It was too late for him to go to England; the funeral must have been over two months ago. News traveled slowly when he was at sea.
Besides he had to set sail again. And then he hadn’t received any news after that, but that could be because he was again at sea. He had believed that Bella would have been found, safe and sound. She had the nine lives of a cat; he always used to tease her.
But now she was no more and there was another in her place. He looked at Cassie. She was looking at him with sympathy. He felt odd. He looked at the duke as he was saying,
“And so, now she is my daughter. I am aware you never wanted to marry Bella. But Marcus insisted and we all gave in. But now your uncle cannot force you. Bella’s death has made you a free man,” said the Duke sadly and then added, “I miss my daughter, but I have found another in Cassie.” The duke looked lovingly at Cassie, who easily went into his arms.
“As I have found my family with you, Pa. I would like to go to sleep now if you don’t mind. Goodnight Pa!” she said giving a hug to the old man.
“Yes, yes my child. Good night!” replied the duke with a hug of his own.
She turned towards Mark and said, “Good night.”
“Good night mar… my lady.” Mark had stopped before he could call her marchioness again. Cassie felt oddly sad at the missing endearment. She went up with a heavy heart, she knew not why.
Mark sat in the chair in front of His Grace, thinking about Cassie. This is the reason she didn’t appear like the Bella I knew. She is not Bella. This thought brought a smile to his face.
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