Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

Marina was preparing for impact, expecting her cheek to kiss the ground any second. Instead, she felt two arms swoop her up like an eagle, preventing her fall. All too familiar brown eyes staring back at her.

Griffin hadn’t hesitated to catch her for an instance. Marina was gently caught within his strong arms and they found the two of themselves mere inches from one another, looking eye-to-eye. They shared a deep, intense glance for what felt like hours.

“Marina?” a voice brought Marina back to reality. She stiffened in Griffin’s arms as he brought her back upright. She looked for the person calling her name in a sweat-inducing panic, fearing to see Nancy stood there. Instead, she was met by a familiar face she hadn’t seen in years.

“Oh, good evening, Elaine,” Marina called back, as if she hadn’t just tripped into the Duke of Darrington’s arms.

Elaine, an old friend of Marina, stood alongside an unknown girl. The two kept an intense eye on Marina and Griffin as they approached.

“Might we be interrupting anything?” Elaine asked rather sarcastically, a scrawny finger pointing at the two of them. Her friend gave a brisk snicker at the question.

“Not at all,” Marina replied, still in attempts to make her fall appear non-existent. She brushed a hand over her hair to straighten any loose ends. “How have you been doing, Elaine?”

“We have a question we’ve been yearning to ask, it’s eating at our thoughts,” Elaine started, blatantly ignoring the question Marina asked. The friend, much shorter than Elaine, remained a few steps back, giggling like a schoolgirl about to cause trouble.

Marina knew her old friend to be awfully curious and a large contributor to gossip, so she knew exactly what her question would be. She couldn’t avoid it any longer, meaning her only option was to explain.

“Why, of course. What might I be of help explaining?” Marina calmly asked, folding her hands neatly in front of her.

Elaine appeared slightly perplexed at Marina’s proper demeanour, most likely yearning for a feistier experience with one another. Marina wouldn’t budge in order to please her.

“Everyone has been talking about the two of you,” Elaine said, pointing her hand-held fan at Marina and Griffin respectively. A large part of Marina wanted to knock the fan out of Elaine’s hand. After all, she had never been particularly fond of Elaine due to her gossipy manner, but she couldn’t let her guard down now.

“Well, you know,” Elaine continued to hint, awaiting a response from either of them. Instead, Marina plastered a perfectly content look upon her face, but she could see Griffin start to frown at the inquisitor.

“That there’s a bit of a scandal taking place here,” Elaine eventually spat out. “That he courted dear Nancy, before you stole him.”

“Well, your wording is quite off, Elaine. That isn’t quite the situation,” Marina said, her smile still wide as ever.

Elaine scoffed, handing her fan to the friend beside her, who’s giggles had grown silent as the tension started to build. Elaine took a few steps closer.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t have my head as high. I’d be deeply ashamed, and so should you. Your very own flesh and blood you betray? I must say, I’m quite surprised that you would be such a thief- I always thought you’d be a decent lady. You prove me incorrect,” Elaine sneered. “I can’t imagine how few one must value oneself to stretch to such low measures.”

“Miss, how would you describe what you are currently doing?” Griffin interrupted, causing Elaine to step back a bit, obviously caught of guard to receive questions from Griffin’s mouth.

“Well, I-I am asking about this situation,” Elaine mumbled. She tried her best to still appear superior, but was noticeably shaken by Griffin’s words. Unknowingly Marina’s grasp had fallen from Griffin’s arm, so he held it toward her for her to grab onto again. Marina complied, but her embarrassment was starting to make her question her decisions once again.

After this entire investigation alongside Griffin is over, she would still find herself without a suitor- possibly having worsened her chances by finding herself with this scandalous status. Could one simple agreement possibly ruin her entire life?

The only thought that assured Marina was that when uncle Josiah was finally incarcerated everyone would be informed of the courtship, making it less scandalous. Perhaps a good man would find her more appealing if she appeared slightly heroic?

“Are you asking, or are you being judgemental, Miss?” Griffin asked, visibly increasing Elaine’s level of discomfort with the matter.

“Well, if you take part in such scandals, you possibly deserve to be judged,” Elaine replied, trying her best to still appear feisty in demeanour.

“What a world we live in if one openly judges the unlikely appearance of true, heartfelt love. Ladies, love doesn’t care about prior circumstances. Love merely blooms in the most unexpected times, but when love bloomed, I made sure to welcome it with open arms. Because, how lucky am I to say I have found true love amongst dozens who marry for status. I have found a gem in the masses of coal, and her name is Marina,” Griffin replied in such a heartfelt manner, that it briefly even persuaded Marina of his undying love.

“Oh, Your Grace! Forgive me for coming of so strong,” Elaine said clearly taken aback, almost choking on her words as she spoke. “I meant no harm, truly. Please forgive my curious nature. I am so happy for you and Marina, and I wish a prosperous life ahead for the two of you.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Miss,” Griffin blankly said, nodding at them to show an end of the conversation.

“W-why of course, Your Grace. Goodnight to the two of you,” Elaine said, her eyes turned to the ground. She grabbed her wordless friend by the arm, pulling her to walk away from Marina and Griffin.

After the two friends were at a fair distance from them, Griffin and Marina both broke out into a fit of laughter.

“Oh dear, how many times are you prepared to give such a heartfelt explanation?” Marina laughed, using a gloved finger to wipe away a laughing-tear.

“Heavens, I’m unsure. But by the sound of things, I gather Elaine to gossip the entire speech for me,” Griffin laughed back.

“The heart wants what it wants?” Marina giggled, thinking about how this would be the excuse to anyone daring to question their motives.

“All I know with certainty is that my heart wants to see Josiah Bosley behind bars,” Griffin admitted, starting their walk down the terrace once again.

“Well, then perhaps our hearts might be alike after all, Your Grace,” Marina followed, thinking about regaining the house to themselves while the current tyrant sits in jail for his crimes.

“But, thinking back to our prior conversation, I meant to ask if you have any idea what the blackmailing might have been about?” Marina asked, turning their conversation back to its professional intentions.

“I wish I could provide an answer, my Lady, but I am unsure myself. I never thought of my father to be the kind to be blackmailed into payments,” Griffin sighed. “I’m unsure what my father could’ve done to fear exposure, but I can assure you he was both an amazing man and father.”

“I completely understand, no explanations are even needed,” Marina replied, the image of her father’s kind face appearing into her mind. A pool of tears started to form on her bottom eyelid, but she was quick to wipe it away. She wasn’t ready for the conversation about her own father.

“Might we tend to the drinks we promised on earlier?” Griffin asked, gesturing toward the main crowd and the table with punch bowls packed amongst them.

“Why, of course, Your Grace. I am quite parched, admittingly,” Marina said, following Griffin in his tracks toward the table.

Marina could feel all of the eyes upon them as they drifted closer. It made her largely uncomfortable, the thought of being the main topic of gossip had always made her fearful. But she had no choice other than to grip Griffin’s arm tighter and lift her head up high. She was in a scandal- a scandal for the greater good.

They gathered around the table, not bothering to look about them as Griffin poured them both a glass of punch. As he was handing a glass to Marina, Griffin was the first to notice the tall figure stood before them.

“My Lord,” Griffin nodded. Marina was able to see Griffin’s facial muscles contract quite suddenly as he clenched his jaw. She finally followed his gaze to see uncle Josiah, stood right in front of them on the opposite end of the table.

“My Lord,” Marina followed, giving her uncle a slight curtsy. The three stood staring at one another, not a word passing between them-merely a cold glare reaching from uncle Josiah’s side. His icy blue eyes never failing to inflict harm upon others.

“How do you do, My Lord?” Griffin eventually asked. The cold glare remained stuck on uncle Josiah’s face, not a word passing his lip.

Marina opened her mouth to potentially say something, attempt to clear the atmosphere, but was quickly shut down by her uncle.

“No, not a word from you, Marina,” Uncle Josiah quickly spat. “I’ve heard enough of you for far too long.”

Marina acted quick to purse her lips, retracting any word she wished to say. She tilted her head to the floor, hoping Griffin could save them from the unwanted conversation, but his efforts ran empty. The only option was to remain in the uncomfortable setting or walk away, but Marina knew walking away would only serve her worse consequences.

“What’s next? An engagement, a wedding?” Uncle Josiah scoffed, his moustache moving up and down with the words he spat. “Won’t be surprised if such kind of events might already be on its way.”

Marina felt her blood start to heat up, clenching her fists underneath the table to release some anger. She knew exactly what her uncle was doing, and she wasn’t fond of it in any sense. If he could spread rumours himself, he’d have the ability to finally destroy Marina. Rumours of anything untoward happening between an unmarried pair might ruin both the duke and herself for a lifetime- people in their circle tend to be particularly fond of such gossip stories.

“Why, my Lord, I can happily assure you that none of the sorts would be happening anytime soon,” Griffin replied in a rather loud tone, making sure anyone listening could hear his response. Griffin wasn’t the type to allow an old, grumpy man to ruin his life. Certainly not one who had killed his own father.

A wrinkle on uncle Josiah’s forehead started to twitch in anger, but he refrained from speaking too soon. He merely gave a scoff before leaning over the table toward Griffin.

“I gather this to be the first time you speak to me face to face after the scandal,” he said as he pointed a chubby finger toward Griffin. Griffin looked at it with a slight expression of disgust. “You leave my daughter for a nut and don’t even have the courage to inform me personally.”

“Well, sir. I was chased from the house and I would never overstay my welcome, I was merely following the Cromwell’s orders. And as for the ‘nut’-I assure you that Marina might be the best one in the batch,” Griffin replied, a fake grin passing over his face as he finished his sentence.

Marina held her breath as he spoke, fearing that perhaps his snide remarks might worsen her uncle’s attitude. She couldn’t care less if her uncle became upset, but she knew well that she would be the victim for him to release his emotions upon.

“As for the shift in courtship, my Lord, I do apologise. I promise I had dear intentions with Nancy, but my heartstrings couldn’t help but pull toward Marina. I have too much respect for Nancy and her family to have continued the courtship if my true love lay elsewhere,” Griffin spoke, leaving both Marina and her uncle slightly dumbfounded.

Uncle Josiah merely exchanged a nasty glare with the pair, especially toward Marina, before he ventured back into the crowd. Griffin and Marina were left alone once again.

“I think the terrace might be a better destination in order to avoid such interactions,” Griffin said, drinking the last sip of punch in his glass before offering an arm to Marina.

“I agree, I prefer the confrontations from Elaine on the terrace rather than my uncle’s degrading mannerisms,” Marina said under her breath as Griffin started to lead them both outside.

“I must hand you my deepest sympathies for living with him,” Griffin said. Marina looked at him, expecting he had meant it in a comedic manner, but his face remained stone cold. He was serious.

“One can’t complain of him every day. That’s mainly because I have no one to complain about him to,” Marina admitted. She pulled her shawl tighter over her shoulders, the outdoor breeze getting progressively colder.

“We need to gather more information, Your Grace,” Marina said, slowing her pace in order to grasp Griffin’s attention. Griffin complied.

“My best suggestion would be if you could temporarily enter the female gossip circles,” Griffin sighed. “I know you aren’t the type to indulge in such conversations, but we have few options. The ladies would eye me suspiciously if I were the one to enter upon their gossip.”

Marina felt a sick feeling in her stomach, memories of where, as a child, she was forced to listen to endless gossip between her Mama and her friends. She didn’t mind it particularly, but it bored her intensely. Marina used to think she was unempathetic due to the lack of interest in what “awful dress” her neighbours had worn. She simply didn’t find much care in such subjects.

“Alright, I’ll try my best,” Marina nodded, knowing there wasn’t any route to escape the task. “Anything else?”

“Your proximity to the home might be the most beneficial thing to use in the gathering of evidence,” Griffin said as he turned to face marina in a more direct manner. “So, I hope you’re a bit better in snooping around than I am.”

“No trouble, I know my way around the house with my eyes closed. I’ll just be better in assuring that no one catches me in the act, Your Grace,” Marina teased, but Griffin nodded quite seriously at her statement. “And you, Your Grace? What would be your task in the matter?”

“Ah, my Lady, unlike you I am free to go wherever I want. My freedom would act as my best tool, as well as my connections within the society,” Griffin replied. The answer left a tinge of jealousy within Marina, knowing well she might never have any sense of freedom under the rule of her uncle.

“Thus, you fish out information from the gossiping ladies and I from the old men who drank too much rum,” Griffin finished with a smile.

Marina looked at him for a moment- the situation she found herself in was so extremely peculiar, but she couldn’t help but enjoy the company paired with it…