Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty Two- Three Days Until the Wedding, the Afternoon

Dianna scurried through the mansion hallways, looking into every parlor and room, searching for Josey. She had to tell him her decision before it was too late.

She stuck her head into every doorway, taking only a brief moment to search each room with her eyes before moving onto the next door. In one parlor, she found Mack lounging on a sofa and reading a novel.

"Mack!" She cried, running into the room.

"Yes, Dianna? Something a'matter?" He stood, closing the novel and placing it on the sofa where he had been sitting. Dianna quickly noticed it was a book of Shakespeare's plays, before she turned to him.

"Have you seen Josey? I have to speak to him," she said, breathless from her running around.

"Yes. He's in our room, resting."

"Thank you!" Dianna quickly turned to go to Josey.

"Dianna," Mack's voice stopped her. She turned as she reached the doorway, eager to leave.

"Yes?"

"You love him, don't you?" Mack asked, looking at her with wise eyes.

"What?" She asked, although she knew what he meant.

"You love Josey. From the moment I knocked on your door to tell you we could sail and bring you home, I knew. I was afraid Josey would enchant you, and take you like he takes all the others, but he has changed too." Mack told her. "I've never seen him so dazed and so... In love, I suppose. Love doesn't come easy to Josey; he's never had someone to love. But you've made him softer. You broke his icy heart; you melted it, and now he's yours." Mack looked at her with emotion bursting off of his face.

"Is it alright? That we love each other?" Dianna asked, not sure what else to say.

"Of course! In the short time we've spent together, you've become a dear friend of mine. I care a lot about the both of you, and I just want to make sure neither of you get hurt." Dianna nodded as Mack spoke. "And if you two need to get away from here, just know that I'm supporting you. I'm here if you need anything."

"Thank you. It means a lot to have support for the both of us." Dianna ran forward and hugged Mack, her new and very dear friend. She quickly pecked his cheek, then ran out the door, needing to see Josey right away.

She found Josey curled up on his bed, napping. She closed the door behind her and tip toed to him. She climbed into the bed next to him and shook him a little. He stirred and opened his eyes into tiny slits. He smiled when he saw Dianna. He grabbed her waist and flipped over so he was on top of her.

"No, Josey, not now!" Dianna said through small giggles as he tickled her. "We have to plan."

"Plan?" Josey immediately stopped, looking at her with a serious stare. "You haven't changed your mind?"

"No. We have to leave. Tonight. We'll have to gather the crew and leave after everyone's gone to sleep."

"Are you sure, love?"

"Yes. It's the only way." She whispered, resting against him somberly.

"Alright, if you're sure." He hugged her close, knowing she needed to feel his warmth against her, to comfort her. "Perhaps you should leave him a note, though."

"What?"

"Leave your father a goodbye note. I think it'll make you feel better knowing that he isn't completely left in the dark, and at least he'll know you're safe." Dianna nodded, understanding Josey's logic.

"You're right." She paused, trying not to cry. "I'll miss him terribly."

"I know. We could always try to work things out here," Josey offered, but he knew she had made up her mind. They would be leaving tonight, running away in the darkness, with only the moon to guide them.

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