Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

T he following days resembled a fairy tale. That morning, the sun streamed through the grand windows of the drawing room as Ciara sat beside Jonathan, both of them enjoying a moment together although Jonathan was reading his newspaper and Ciara was immersed into her book. However, just knowing that he was there, by her side in silence, made all the difference.

Suddenly, he lifted his head to see her watching him. Having been caught off guard, she blushed under his gaze.

"What is it, dear?" he asked, placing his newspaper in his lap, signaling that he was no longer interested in reading. He was interested in her.

"Nothing," she smiled, blushing even more.

"It is obvious something," he teased. "You just don't want to tell me."

"Well, there's nothing to tell," she replied playfully.

"But you are smiling," he pointed out. "People smile for a reason… women especially."

"I was just thinking," she finally said with a little shrug.

"About me?" he asked, truly intrigued by the possible response.

"No," she laughed melodiously, a laughter that proved to him that her response was a lie.

"It is all right to admit it." He winked at her. "I am irresistible, after all."

She laughed again, even louder than before. "And vain."

"Occasionally," he nodded, amusedly. "But don't tell anyone."

"I think they know," she was still chuckling. "But I was just thinking how… happy I am here."

"With me?" he inquired with that same raised eyebrow.

"Well… yes," she agreed softly, looking away for a moment, only to lock her eyes with his once more.

However, before he could ask more, a knock on the door interrupted their intimate moment together.

"Yes?" Jonathan called out, and the butler appeared.

"I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but Lord and Lady Hartfield are here, asking to be admitted."

Jonathan exchanged a meaningful glance with Ciara. "Are you expecting your parents?" he wondered, looking as confused as she was.

"No," she shook her head, completely taken aback.

She didn't want to see them.

"Then, we shan't be seeing them," Jonathan turned to the butler. "You've heard me, Winston. You may tell that to the Hartfields."

"Your Grace, I…" the butler hesitated. "I was told to insist. They knew you would refuse, but they claim to have something of great importance to share."

"There is nothing that they have to say which either me or Ciara wish to hear," he said simply.

"Jonathan," Ciara replied softly, "what if something had happened?"

"To them?" Jonathan scoffed. "We should be so fortunate."

"Please," she asked, placing her hand tenderly on his. Even after everything they had done to her, she didn't wish them ill. She simply wished for them to leave her alone, so she could live her own life with Jonathan by her side,

"You saw how they behaved last time. They're only here to undermine you again," he told her.

"Then, you shall deal with them as you always do," she smiled, and her words seemed to have the desired effect. She had convinced him.

"All right, but I still do not like the sound of this," he finally acquiesced, sighing heavily. "Show them in, Winston."

When Lord and Lady Hartfield were finally announced, Ciara's heart skipped a beat. She stood, Jonathan at her side, as they entered. Her parents, usually so composed and authoritative, looked uncharacteristically nervous. That, in turn, made her apprehensive as well although she promised herself she would keep her composure.

"Your Grace," Lord Hartfield began, his voice unsteady. "Ciara… we've come to apologize for our behavior."

Lady Hartfield nodded, her eyes softening as they met Ciara's. "We were wrong, dear, all this time. We treated you unfairly and were far too harsh. We want to offer a truce, an opportunity to start over as a proper family."

Ciara's heart wavered. She had never seen her parents like this—humble, contrite. She glanced at Jonathan, whose expression was guarded. He was still wary, his protective instincts on high alert.

"We were wrong to impose our will on you," Lord Hartfield continued. "We realize now that you have built a life here, and we want to be a part of it if you'll allow us."

Ciara hesitated, her mind racing. The memories of their last visit, the harsh words and accusations, were still fresh. But beneath the pain, there was a longing for reconciliation, for the family she had always hoped for. She wondered if such a thing was even possible after all the pain and anguish they had caused her.

"How enlightened of you," Jonathan muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I am sorry, Your Grace. I could not hear what you said," Lord Hartfield replied.

Ciara shot him a look, pleading for him not to start a confrontation. He stared back at her, doubt casting a shadow over his handsome face.

"Just a personal musing, Lord Hartfield. Nothing important," Jonathan said, and his hand found hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze, signaling to her that he understood her request.

She smiled at him in gratitude. If someone was to doubt her parents' words, it would be her.

Ciara took a deep breath and looked at her parents. "I appreciate your apology. It means a lot to me. But you must understand that so many things have happened. I just cannot understand why, of all times, now? Has something taken place?"

"No, no," her father shook his head. He glanced at his wife then back at his daughter. "We realized that isn't who we want to be, who we ever wanted to be. We just… thought that we were helping you, but we were wrong, so very wrong. We should have listened to you, spoken to you, but instead we were led by erroneous ways."

Ciara thought about it for a moment. She didn't believe that people could change so easily, so suddenly. Such core changes only happened after something sudden, and nothing seemed to have happened to her parents. They merely changed their minds about their core behavior and that was what she found the strangest. Still, hope flickered inside of her like a flame. She wanted to believe them although she knew that she shouldn't.

"I can accept your apology," she finally said. "But that doesn't mean that we will suddenly start being one big happy family. It will take time."

Her mother's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "We understand, Ciara. We just want the chance to show you that we can and are willing to change. We will wait as long as you deem fit. Just… don't push us away, please."

Ciara nodded slowly, still guarded and cautious of this new development, but her hope flared up. "All right. We shall start all over… slowly."

Her father's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, Ciara. We won't let you down."

Her mother suddenly smiled, genuine warmth in her eyes. "We'd like to invite you both to dinner next week. A chance to begin again, the first step to a new life."

Ciara glanced at Jonathan, who remained silent but watchful. She knew he had his reservations and that if it were left up to him, he would probably refuse their invitation. She also knew that he had every reason to do so. He was her guardian, and as such, he felt responsible for her which she appreciated.

However, this was a step she felt she needed to take. "We'll attend," she said, despite his reluctance.

Jonathan's jaw tightened, but he didn't object. Instead, he stood beside her, a silent pillar of support. That was yet another indication of his deep affection for her.

As her parents left, Ciara turned to Jonathan, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision. "Thank you for standing by me."

Jonathan pulled her into a gentle embrace. "I'll always stand by you, Ciara. Just be careful. They've hurt you before."

She nodded against his chest, feeling the strength of his arms around her. "I know. But maybe this time, things will be different."

Jonathan seemed hesitant, as if there was something he wanted to divulge, but he changed his mind at the last minute. Instead, he kissed the top of her head, his voice a low murmur. "I hope so, for your sake."

The promise of a new beginning hung in the air, fragile yet hopeful, and Ciara was eager to take it.

Jonathan sat in his study, endeavoring to focus on some ledgers, when a gentle knock on the door revealed Ciara's face.

He was still displeased with how she handled her parents' visit. He didn't trust them. He didn't believe that they truly changed just like that, almost overnight. It just didn't seem credible. But seeing her so happy to have at least a small chance at a happy family almost broke him.

"Jonathan, are you busy?" she asked sweetly.

He smiled. "For you, never. Come in."

She immediately did as he told her, showing him what she was holding in her hand. "The Kirdale's sent us a letter, inviting us to their estate for a garden party."

"Have they now?" he asked, tilting his head a little at her. There was always something new about her to notice, a new freckle that he had not seen before, a new manner of her lips moving as she spoke, as she smiled. He loved finding out new things about her.

"Yes, and of course, we have to attend," she told him, placing the letter on the table that separated them.

"We do?" he asked, lifting a mischievous eyebrow. "But we just saw them… recently."

"She is your cousin," she reminded him.

"Exactly," he chuckled. "She won't be upset if I don't come."

Then, she walked around the table, gently placing her hands on his shoulders, stepped over his lap, and lowered herself.

"But I want you there with me," she purred softly.

It would be a crowd of people he mostly knew, and for that reason, he would have preferred to stay home, but for some reason, Ciara seemed happy to attend.

"You do?" he asked.

He groaned silently, feeling himself harden underneath her. He knew she could feel what she was doing to him.

"Mhm," she murmured softly, bringing her lips almost to his but not kissing him.

"You don't know what you do to me, siren," he said, biting his lip.

"Yes, I do. I am getting you to come with me," she said, smiling like the vixen that he knew she was.

"Will I be rewarded for it?" he asked, feeling her hot breath spill all over his lips. He was dying to kiss her, but resisting the temptation was more fun.

"Yes," she nodded. "I have a few things in mind you might like."

"Like what?" he asked, already titillated by the thought.

"No, no," she shook her head, and a few strands of her hair fell over her forehead. "You'll have to wait and see."

He chuckled. "You will be the death of me, do you know that?"

She finally leaned in and kissed the tip of his nose. "I do," she chuckled sweetly as she shifted in his lap, trying to move away from him.

"Stay," he said, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her hair.

"Ah, no, no, no," she said, pulling away as he was trying to kiss her. "You are trying to get your reward before you do your part. No deal, Your Grace."

She was now standing at a safe distance from him, leaving his desire for her completely exposed, and he still desired her more than ever.

"Stay," he repeated. "Just give me a taste of what I will be receiving as my prize."

"I would but?—"

A knock on the door interrupted her.

"See?" she observed, pointing to the door. "That must be Mrs. Dawson."

"As always at the most inopportune moment." He grinned, adjusting himself in his chair so that, whoever it was at the door would not notice him being… indisposed.

"Yes?" he called out, and Mrs. Dawson really appeared in the doorway.

"I shall leave you two alone." Ciara left with a smile.

Jonathan knew that he would need to be on his best behavior for that reward.