In that night neither of the siblings had really gotten any sleep. Philip had been way too furious about finding out that his sister was obviously sneaking out at night in men's clothing to meet up with someone. Most likely a man. If Marcus or the Grand Duke were to find out about that, the marriage was off. That much was for sure. This could never be known. And he would make sure that his dear sister would never EVER sneak out again at night.
He hadn't meant to mention the arranged marriage in that argument. It had just slipped. And maybe it hadn't been the worst moment possible. He would have probably told her one of the following days anyways and like that she would surely have enough time to digest the news and calm herself, before the meeting with Marcus. And Philip had a legit reason to keep her locked in her room until then.
Well, if she seemed like she could be trusted, he might allow her out of her room during the day time, when he could keep an eye on her, but the door to her room would be locked for the whole night. He would take care of that personally.
How had she even managed to sneak out at all? Where did she get those clothes from? They definitely weren't his, he would have noticed if there was something missing. And how long had she been doing that for? Just a couple of times or possibly for years already?
At least she must have been somewhat careful that no one saw her or at least found out who she was, or Philip would have surely heard people talking about it.
That still left open the question though, who she had been meeting up with. Philip was sure that it must have been a man. If she had wanted to have one of her friends over she could have asked him and he would have allowed it. There would have been no reason to sneak out and meet in the middle of the night.
Also as far as Philip was concerned Willow's friends weren't as crazy and adventurous as she was. He doubted that any of them would sneak off at night in men's clothing just to meet up with her. So it must have been a man. Oh she better have behaved herself around him.
There was a chance that whoever it may have been, didn't even know that she was a girl. Dressed up in men's clothing and with that cap. Philip had assumed her to be a boy too. The dark of the night hid most features well enough so one would just have to assume her to be a boy.
However did she even get to meet that man? Was it possible that it was one of his friends? Someone she had met as a little girl? But none of his friends would betray him like that. No it had to be someone else.
To figure that out, one would have to know whether she had sneaked out before she had met that man, or if she was sneaking out just to meet with him.
If the first one was the case, it was quite likely that it was someone that she had bumped into one night. Didn't she know how dangerous that could be? Especially for a girl. She could have gotten herself hurt or worse. There were a lot of crazy people out there especially at night.
If the latter was the case it had to be someone Philip had met before. Willow hadn't had a lot of chances to meet men in the past. It was really only when Philip had some of his friends over and she would happen to run into them or when they went out to get her a new gown, if she happened to need one. But that maybe happened once a year.
Ugh, Philip felt like he was getting nowhere with this.
The sun was starting to rise when he made his way downstairs again. He would have to inform the servants about the new rules for Willow. He didn't want anyone interfering with this. There was also some questioning if anyone had known about her sneaking off at night, but no one seemed to have noticed a thing.
It was really quite impressive how she managed to do that, but on the other hand so very stupid. God knows what could have happened to her.
Philip had instructed that Willow would have her breakfast in her room. She was not to be let out just yet. He would have to talk to her later. See if she regretted what she did and the things she said last night. It had been the first time she had actually stood up for herself in a fight between them and Philip hadn't liked it one bit. She had obviously been in the wrong and then she had the audacity to argue with him? It was quite clear that she had not accepted her place in this household yet. And it had been 3 years! Oh Philip would make sure she knew exactly where her place was and that she would never forget and overstep like that again.
Shortly after Philip had had his breakfast in the dining room by himself, Thomas brought him a letter. Philip noticed how timid everyone was around him today. Surely everyone was quite aware that it was in no way a good idea to anger him today. It was to be expected that the staff overheard the fight in the night. After all, neither of the siblings had tried to keep their voice down. So they probably knew exactly what had been going down between them.
Philip didn't mind that in the slightest though. They could know that he was the master of this house and that he would enforce his rules if someone couldn't follow them. He wouldn't tolerate any wrong behavior like this anymore. And everyone was to know that. Especially his little sister. If she thought she would just get away with sneaking off at night, she was wrong. Really wrong.
The mere thought of it made Philip fume again. This was absolutely impossible. What had she been thinking?!
But before he could think himself any deeper into his rage, his gaze happened to land on the letter that Thomas had brought to him only a few minutes ago. He had been too caught up in his thoughts until now to pay it any attention.
Philip broke the seal and was met with the now already familiar handwriting of Marcus. Finally, Philip thought as he started reading.
To
Duke of Cornwall
Dear Philip!
I hope both you and your sister are doing well. I want to apologize for keeping you waiting for my reply to your suggestion for so long. I shall explain to you why this decision wasn't an easy one for me in person when we have the time to speak privately. For now I just beg your forgiveness for the long wait. I am of course aware that it is in no way proper that I left you in the unknown for so long.
Couldn't he just get to the point already. Ugh, yes it was impossible that Marcus left him waiting for so long, but he couldn't care less about apologies right now.
Because of that I am all the more happy to let you know that I have indeed made a decision now.
Finally, Philip thought. Marcus sure took his sweet time with that.
It would be the greatest pleasure if you would introduce me to your sister.
Yes! Thank heaven's, finally! Philip had been right all along. Sooner or later Marcus would have given in. And his patience in that matter had obviously paid off.
If it is convenient for you, I would suggest visiting you and your dear sister at the Cornwall Estate tomorrow afternoon.
Please let me know if that time fits you and of course Antonia as well and feel free to suggest another time if you want.
I shall be awaiting your reply and am looking forward to seeing you again and meeting your sister very soon.
Marcus
At least one good news. This day had been worse enough so far. But this... This certainly lifted Philip's mood. He would have more than enough time to talk some sense into his sister till tomorrow afternoon and she would be at her best behavior. He would make sure of that. This was perfect!
Quickly Philip made his way up to his study to reply to Marcus and only a moment later he was sat behind his desk, a piece of paper in front of him and the pen already in his hand.
To
Marcus, third son of the Grand Duke of Yorkshire
Dear Marcus!
I hope you are doing well yourself. My sister and I are looking forward to welcoming you at our Estate tomorrow afternoon and I am quite relieved that you agreed on the meeting.
My sister has suggested that the two of you could go for a stroll through the gardens after I formally introduced you. She can't wait to finally get to know you.
Until tomorrow,
Philip
A rather short letter, Philip thought to himself. But he didn't have much more to say and all that needed to be said had been said. He had thought it a good idea to pretend that Willow was eager to meet him. Maybe if she could seem like she was interested in him, he wouldn't be able to turn her down.
Philip didn't know Marcus to be a heartbreaker. To him he had always seemed like a person that wanted everyone to be happy. And if Willow could make him believe that there was some sort of connection between them, that it would hurt her greatly if he were to turn her down, Philip doubted that Marcus would just run off and never be seen again. She better give this her all and be the best actress in the whole world if she wanted to see the light of the sun again.
Philip called for Thomas so the letter could be delivered to Marcus right this instant. He wanted this meeting settled as soon as possible. And as Thomas left the room to deliver the letter, Philip felt like he could go ahead with the next step to make this plan work. And that was to get his sister to play along. But that was depending a lot on how well she had diguested the whole marriage thing by now.
It was useless to try and talk to her when she wasn't even listening to him. Philip knew that full well. Therefore timing as well as the right words were crucial. He could approach the situation in two ways. The easy way or the hard way. She would be the one to determine which one she wanted, but she would have to play along one way or another.
The easy way was to actually explain the situation to her, make her see that it had been necessary and the only way. In the ideal way for things to go, she would then just accept that she would have to do this for both of their sakes. Philip would make sure to mention that she had the chance to meet Marcus the following afternoon and that he really wasn't such a bad guy. He could also tell her that he had been travelling a lot the past 3 years. Surely she would admire that in a man, if she was so into those adventure books.
The hard way was to basically threaten her into doing it. That might be even more efficient than the easy way. And there were a lot of threats that he was in the position to make. And he would pull through with them if she actually messed that up. Those would by no means just be empty threats. He would make sure that Willow knew that too.
Either way Philip would get what he wanted. Willow wouldn't dare to go against him, not this time.
Meanwhile Marcus had just received the reply from Philip to his letter. The siblings were looking forward to seeing him tomorrow afternoon. Philip had also mentioned that Antonia was eager to meet him.
Marcus couldn't help but wonder if that was actually true. It was possible that Philip just made that up, but on the other hand it was just as possible that she really wanted to meet him.
Marcus wished he knew what Philip might have told her about him so far. Had she questioned her brother about him? And if, what had she wanted to know?
Probably what he looked like.
He wondered if she had caught a glimpse at him when he had first visited the Cornwall Estate. He had been within eyesight, but she had probably been too caught up in her book to notice that he was even there.
Would she find him attractive? Marcus wouldn't consider himself especially handsome. Ever since he started travelling he hadn't really cared about the stubble of a beard that he had grown. He'd shave every now and then but he was rarely really properly clean shaven. Would she mind that? And would he make an effort for her and actually start shaving again every morning?
Had Philip mentioned to her, that Marcus had been travelling for the past three years? And had her eyes light up at the mention of that, like Willow's had? Could she possibly be as excited about him telling her stories about his travels as Willow was?
No, he had to stop comparing her to Willow. That wasn't fair. Not for either of them. They were different people and shouldn't be compared like that.
Marcus wondered what it would be like to talk to Antonia. Would they find something to talk about, or would it just be smalltalk that would turn into an awkward silence after a while?
And what if they got along well? Making a decision between two women that he liked somewhat equally would be impossible. Oh, however did he even get into this mess? For his own sake Marcus hoped that he and Antonia wouldn't get along at all. He hoped that she wouldn't like him in the slightest and that that would be enough for Philip to call the wedding off once and for all. Then Marcus was free to be with Willow and all would be fine.
Well other than his father probably not approving of her all too much and being mad at Marcus for blowing the arrangement he had with Philip. But he could handle his father. And he and Willow could move somewhere else. They could even travel some more. Marcus was sure that Willow would absolutely love that. And he himself surely wouldn't mind it either.
And once they had enough of the travelling they could settle down wherever they wanted, build a house, have kids and live happily ever after. Oh that would be so perfect!
Maybe he should just help his luck a little in that matter. Maybe if he didn't shave and behaved a little rude around Antonia that would be enough for her to dislike him. To beg Philip to call off the wedding because she could never be happy with him. And that that would be enough for Philip to give in. Surely he wanted his sister to be happy, right?
If Marcus had a little sister it would surely have been his first priority that she was happy. And Philip, as every brother, must feel the same way about his sister. He wouldn't force her into a marriage she didn't want in the slightest bit. He would make sure to find another way and Marcus was more than willing to help them with that.
But was that really giving Antonia a fair chance? Not really. That was manipulating things so they would more likely turn out in his favor. Ugh, what was he going to do?
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