The Ice Around My Heart by Marian Tee

Author:Marian Tee [Tee, Marian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Jaded Speck Publishing
Published: 2015-01-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

After taking a shower and changing into her uniform, Mary slowly walked to her desk and gazed down at her calendar. It had become a ritual of sorts, ever since Rathe had left for London.

Forty-three days, Mary counted numbly. It had been over six weeks since she had last seen Rathe, five weeks since their violent argument over the phone. She had not tried to call him since then, and he had not tried to call her either. It was a stand-off, something Mary knew she was bound to lose because of one essential thing.

She loved him.

And the duke did not love her.

The thought had her torn between crying and throwing a tantrum. Was this truly it? Should she simply give up and leave? Suddenly, the words of Rathe’s mother floated back to her mind about the last time she and the duke had fought.

Hadn’t she allowed her fears to get the better of her that time? Would she allow the same thing to happen again?

No.

This time, she would not back down. This time, she would fight for him.

Squaring her shoulders, she quickly made her way downstairs. Teddy was already waiting for her outside the house, and she asked him hurriedly, “Could you take me to Rathe’s parents’ home?”

“Sure, but...are you going to skip classes then?”

“I’m a-afraid so. This is more important.” When they reached Warren and Alyssa’s mansion and were asked to identify themselves at the gates, Mary nervously wondered if they would be allowed to enter.

If they weren’t, she would just find another way to talk to Alyssa, Mary told herself.

Fortunately, the automatic gates swung open a minute after, and Rathe’s chaffeur drove them through the winding path leading to the Wellesleys’ palatial home.

As they came nearer the front door, Mary gulped at the sight of the former duke waiting by the steps.

Warren kept his face expressionless as he watched the bodyguard assist Rathe’s young mistress out of the car. Looking at her, it was easy to understand the attraction she presented in his son’s eyes. She was a shapely little thing, and her inherent air of feminine grace was one most women nowadays lacked.

As the girl came to face him, Warren became uneasy when he noticed the dark bags underlining her eyes. She had become much thinner, too, her curves practically swallowed by her uniform.

Ever since their first meeting, Alyssa had been endlessly harping on him about giving this girl a chance. Although he had found himself considering the thought, last month’s events had served to strengthened his resolve not to accept Mary Ashton.

She might very well be a nice girl like Alyssa said, but at the end of the day, she was only going to cause his son to suffer his entire life. That was something Warren would never stand for, not even if he had to play the villain in everyone’s eyes.

“My lord,” Mary said quietly as she curtsied.

Warren nodded. “Miss Ashton.”

Mary swallowed, knowing the formal address was an indirect but pointed reminder that Rathe’s father did not consider her as even a close friend of the family.

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