Episode 15

Ethan arrived in London with a clear purpose. He knew time was against him—the wedding between Tabitha and Eddington was drawing ever closer, and his only chance to stop it was to act quickly. Coming directly from Ipswich, dressed simply so as not to attract attention, he made his way to the Garden District, where Tabitha's house stood, imposing and serene, unaware of the storm that was about to unfold within. When he arrived at the residence, a maid led him to the main hall.

The atmosphere was calm, as if the silence too was waiting for the impending confrontation. And that’s when he saw her. Tabitha was there, with her back to him, arranging a vase with flowers. He noticed that she looked paler, her shoulders slumped as if carrying an enormous weight, yet her posture remained erect despite it. When the maid announced the arrival of Lord Devereux to visit her, Tabitha turned, suspicion mixed with disbelief in her gaze, and it was this that gave him the courage to speak.

“Ethan... what are you doing here?” Her voice, low and tense, cut through the silence. “I thought you had abandoned me... or worse.”

He took a deep breath, not diverting his gaze. “Tabitha... please listen to me, I was kidnapped. I didn’t disappear by choice. Everything was orchestrated by Eddington. He is Scorpio.”

Tabitha took a step back, shock written on her face. Disbelief mixed with anger and confusion. “That’s ridiculous, Ethan. The Duke is a respectable man. He helped me when I had no one else to turn to. He gave me a way to protect my reputation when I disappeared. How can you accuse him of something so grave?”

Ethan took a step forward, the need to convince her greater than any fear or hesitation. His voice was low but filled with an emotion he could no longer contain. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I saw things that cannot be ignored. He doesn’t just want to marry you; he wants to use you, your name, to solidify his schemes. The documents you found... Tabitha, he knows you have them.”

Tabitha hesitated. The air felt heavy, and she took a few seconds before responding. She lowered her eyes to the floor, as though battling with her own thoughts. “And if you’re wrong?” she murmured, doubt creeping into her voice. “And if all of this is a terrible mistake?”

Ethan stepped closer, his heart pounding fiercely, and took her hands in his, gripping them firmly yet gently, as though afraid of breaking something delicate. His eyes were locked onto hers, not only trying to convince her, but also silently asking her to believe him.

“If I’m wrong, I’ll stand by your side. But, Tabitha, what if I’m right? Would you risk your life and the life of our child because of a doubt?”

Tabitha’s eyes widened, and if Ethan had any doubt about the truth of what he had been told, he would have believed it in that moment. “You know... about the baby?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Ethan nodded, the intensity of what he felt mirrored in his gaze. He leaned in slightly, his lips touching hers with immense tenderness, but also with a silent strength, a promise of everything at stake. When they parted, the silence that followed seemed heavier than it had been before. Tabitha took a deep breath, the weight of the decision now resting on her shoulders. She looked at him, her eyes still filled with uncertainty, but also with a spark of determination.

“I’ve been invited to the ball at the Marchioness of Edinburgh’s. There, I’ll cancel the wedding so he has no chance to coerce or threaten me. I think he doesn’t want to cause a scandal and draw attention to himself. Don’t worry, I’ll be there with you. But I must go now before anyone sees me and tells Eddington that I spoke with you.”

***

The mansion of the Marquesses of Edinburgh was dazzling, illuminated by golden chandeliers that cast a soft light over the refined faces of London’s elite. The guests, dressed in their finest attire, conversed and laughed, but the tension in the air was palpable. Tabitha entered alongside Eddington, dressed in a stunning white gown adorned with tiny precious stones, a diamond necklace at her throat, but her gaze was distant. The sound of music and laughter from other guests seemed distant, as if she were in another world, while her heart raced with anxiety for the confrontation she knew she had to face. Ethan, disguised among the guests, watched closely, observing every movement of Eddington. He knew the moment was approaching.

During a dance, Tabitha pulled Eddington into a more discreet corner of the room, away from the curious eyes of others. The muffled music and the stillness of the location gave her enough courage to finally speak, despite the terror coursing through her veins. “Your Grace, I cannot go on with this marriage,” she said, her voice low but firm, reflecting the decision she had made, but one that still felt strange even to herself.

Eddington looked at her, his eyes narrowing with a flash of irritation, but his voice remained as calm and threatening as ever. “Tabitha, don’t be impulsive. You know what’s at stake. You can’t just cancel everything, and make a fool of me. Think of the scandal you’ll cause. And the disappointment of your grandfather.”

But Tabitha did not yield. She knew what was at stake. Yes, their future. But also, her life and her child’s life. She couldn’t be complicit with a man like Eddington, even if it meant risking everything.

“It doesn’t matter,” she replied, more resolute. “I will not marry you.”