Lyana Debaux's POV
I was looking at the photo albums where Edmond's family tree was in. It was nice to know that he had all the pictures from the time when his family tree started with his great ancestors. My family did not have all of these. We're not into sentimental type.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Ella asked me as she flopped beside me on the couch. Edmond was in his study room since he has some major things to get done and acquainted with the family business.
I did not know that Edmond was the one that installed the virus that protected the museum from my malware attack a few weeks ago. That was insane.
And here I thought he was only an Interpol agent.
"Huh? Oh, I was just looking at the old photos of Uncle Ed's family tree. Which also means it's your family tree," I said as I was touching Ella's nose. She rolled her eyes before she was looking at the photos with me.
"That one was strict, I bet,"
"I think he was having a very bad 'wig',"
"I don't think she would be happy with that old man,"
"My, my, this is not what I would think of from these eras,"
We were laughing when we were discussing something before I was looking at one photo and Ella was laughing at it.
"Oh, look! It was Uncle Ed and you, aunt Lyana. I don't think that you would be in this photo as well," Ella said as I was looking at the time of the photo was taken.
May 21, 1772.
The year that we're stuck in when we traveled back in time. Damn, I never knew this.
"What are you guys are laughing about?" Edmond came into the living room before Ella was regarding him.
"Uncle, I never knew that you would be in the 1800s photo. You look just like this person here," Ella said as she was showing the photo when Edmond sat next to me on the couch and looked at the photo. I was biting my lower lips before Edmond laughed.
"You are mistaken, Ella. This is not me and aunt Lyana. This is…huh, that's weird. It stated here His Lordship, Edmond Lattone, and Lady Lyana Debaux from their engagement day in 1772," Edmond said as I was looking at Ella before she was smirking at us.
"And to think that you guys were here right now, in this era. I think you guys are reincarnated into this world or something. But hey, no one believes that shit right,"
"Ella, language,'' I said as I just found my voice again before Ella put her hands up.
"Anyway, I have homework to do. Annabelle said that she needs help with Latin and I need help with Chemistry. Bye," Ella said before she was out of the living room and closed her door as I was turning to look at Edmond. He arched his eyebrow at me.
"So—" we said simultaneously before we laughed.
"Okay, what do you think was this?" I asked as I was looking at the photo. Edmond was tapping his chin before he shrugged.
"I have no idea but it did not concern me. However, I think I have something in mind that will be giving some advantage for us since Ella will be busy with her school work," Edmond said as I was rolling my eyes at him.
"Edmond, she will be gone tomorrow. She's just here for the weekend. I don't know why are you trying to get rid of her when Conall said that his ward will be going to the boarding school, you sent Ella there as well," Lyana said as I was playing with her bare thigh. I love it when she wore shorts in the house. It was enticing really.
"Well, it will help her to be comfortable with the society later and she will learn much more and be a kid. I don't think she had that when she was younger," I said as Lyana sighed. She snuggled against my chest.
"I guess you're right," she said as I was kissing her hair.
"But seriously, that photo creeped me out," I said before Lyana was looking at me again.
"I know right! I mean, I do wonder what happened to His Lordship and his friend when his household was the supporter of La Viva Resistance under his nose," Lyana said as I was hugging her.
"I think I can only say that someone in that house did care about him and his safety. Maybe he has a guardian angel or something but enough about that, I think I want you all to myself tonight," I said before Lyana snaked her arms around me.
"Oh, what do you have in mind?" She asked before I was perking her lips.
"I have a few suggestions," I said before I was carrying her to our bedroom before her laughter was filling the house.
*~*~*~*~*
May 12, 1772
His Lordship's POV
"I cannot believe I will be going through with this arranged marriage. All of this was because of you," I said as I was pointing at my friend, Earl of Pembroke, Ramos Dow. He smirked at me as I was looking at myself when we were back in my estate in Ayr, Scotland.
"Oh come on! It was good enough that Howard told us there will be a resistance happening that night a month ago and we have to sneak in the middle of the night to get out of France. If I have to say so myself, I think we are lucky to be in Scotland soil," Dow said before I was huffing at myself as I was tying the cravat.
"I don't know why I was even friends with you," I said as I was putting on my waistcoat that matched my breeches and my outer coat. It was a Ditto suit after all and I was wearing black.
It suited my occasion right now. I will be marrying someone that I will have no feelings too and this loveless marriage will be the doom for me and her.
"Oh come on, give the benefit of the doubt. Who knows, she will catch your eyes when you guys meet tonight," Dow said before I was ready to meet my intended bride.
"Well, let's get this over with, shall we?" I said before we were out of the room and descended the stairs as I saw the petite figure as my parents were talking with the other adults. If I have to say so, she was petite and I think I liked that kind of body right now. It reminded me of her.
"Ah, there you are, my dear. It seems you took forever. Come meet, Lyana Debaux, Duchess of Marseilles, your fiancée," my mother said before the lady in question turned and it took my breath away.
Blue eyes.
Blonde hair.
High cheekbones.
Dimples on both sides.
She looked just like her and I think I can make this marriage work after all. I was blinking a few times before Dow was nudging me to get to the bottom of the stairs as duchess' eyes were trailing on me.
"Good evening, milord," her voice was sultry and I was breathing hard. No, it cannot be. That woman was a maid and this lady was a duchess. I don't think they both were related.
"Say, duchess, do you have a twin or something?" I asked before she was amused by my question.
"Why, no. I am an only child. Why? Do you meet someone like me before? I must say it was fate I supposed," she said as she was smiling wickedly. I was looking at her face to look for an indication that the maid was this duchess but I think they were not the same person.
Maybe I was just hoping it to be her but no matter, this duchess was the replica of that maid and I think I might have her heart in this marriage.
"So, what's your name?" The duchess asked me as she was holding out her hand for me to kiss.
"My name is Edmond Lattone, my lady," I said as I was taking her hand and kissed her knuckles. Electric was everywhere. I smiled.
Yeah, I think I can make this marriage work after all and this time, I will never let go of this duchess and I will fight to protect her honor.