"Well look who decided to join us from their slumber." Upon taking her final step downstairs, Ella was greeted by her father. He stood casually at the base of the stairs, elbow resting on the banister with a cup of tea in his hand.
"It is hardly that late father."
"I am not judging! After an exhausting evening navigating your sister I am surprised you are about this early." The wide smile on his face showcased the wrinkles that surround his light green eyes. It was the first in a long time that his smile seemed genuine and not strained.
"Funny." Ella studied him for a moment the action causing his face to fall.
"What is it?"
"You do not believe her do you?"
Mr. hunter stepped away from the banister going to Ella and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I have to hope, I am still her father after all."
"I sense a but coming."
"I am not blind or stupid and neither is your mother. We both saw very clearly what was transpiring last night."
Ella shrugged, "Maybe she was just trying to get a laugh."
"I desperately hope so."
She placed a hand on top of his and looked up at him with sweet eyes. "At least one of your daughters only intentionally makes a fool out of herself."
The entryway to Knighton filled with Mr. Hunter's robust laugh. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before stepping away. "And your mother does not believe you take after me!"
Mr. Hunter disappeared into the open door of his study. Ella stood at the bottom step a bit longer before releasing a breath and heading in the direction of the library. Mrs. Hunter had told Ella that James had spent most of his mornings there since his stay. Becca had joked that it was because the library was Ella's favorite room and he felt a connection to her there. Of course Ella had laughed it off as Becca being foolish. But today she hoped it was true and he was there somehow waiting for her.
As Ella approached the library she noticed the door slightly ajar. She stepped closer and was frozen in her tracks by an unmistakable sound. Annabelle's laugh. It was not the laugh of someone who just heard a funny joke. No, this one was the throaty kind, the one she used when luring men to her. Ella heard Annabelle's laugh echo through the library once more. The sound forced her to steal herself before pushing open the door.
Once inside the library, Ella was greeted with an unfortunate familiar sight. Annabelle was laying on the couch and pinned directly underneath her was James. Ella flashed back to the day she found her sister and William in a similar position, only this time the participants were fully clothed. She shook her head clearing her mind and caught Annabelle's gaze creep up to hers. As soon as eye contact was made, Annabelle's face became etched in a devilish smile, much like a predator who was caught devouring their prey.
Ella's mind raced with several different ways to handle this situation, some of which she found difficult to refrain from doing. Ella ultimately decided on the one that would irritate Annabelle the most. She simply turned around and walked out the door.
On her way down the hall, Ella could hear a thud and the distant swearing from a feminine voice from behind her. She tried her best to contain the smug grin that attempted to ruin her serious demeanor. Ella entered her father's study as calm and collected as she could possibly manage. He looked up at her from his book and released a knowing sigh while placing it closed. "What happened?"
"Your daughter attempted to seduce my husband."
Mr. Hunter stood from his desk and Ella tracked him as he made his way to the door. As he exited the room she spotted James standing just inside the doorway, his head dropped in a manor of a child caught doing something wrong.
After a long stretch of silence he raised his head and took a step closer. "Ella.."
"Just think if we had never met your life would not nearly be this exciting." Ella's lips twitched in a smile.
Surprise briefly crossed his face and he cautiously took another step forward.
"Do you regret it?" She asked softly.
"What?"
"Meeting me." Her eyes glistened with tears.
James brought his hand to her face, cupping her cheek and brushing stray tears from her face. "Never."
Ella leaned into his touch all the while faintly hearing the sound of yelling in the distance.
"I feared you would think..." He trailed off on a shuddered breath.
"It never crossed my mind. I recall you not being fond of women who throw themselves at you."
A soft chuckle escaped him and the warm sound of it put a bright smile on her face. "What is he going to do with her?" He asked.
"When he sent her away last time it was in hope she would see the wrong she had done and give her a chance to change. Seeing as it clearly did not work he would likely follow through on his original threat."
"Which was?"
Ella sighed in sorrow, "A monastery. One that is extremely remote without many visitors. My mother was the one who convinced him the last time it was too extreme of a punishment. I do not believe she will argue this time."
James brushed his fingers gently through her hair. "How do you feel about that?"
"Honestly, I do not care anymore. I am tired of her jealousy. Her constant need to prove she is better or to take what she see as mine."
Ella could see a charming smile across his lips. "She sees me as yours?"
"Well she was quick to pounce on top of you." Her eyes sparkled with humor.
"That does not answer the question."
Ella closed the slight distance between them, reaching her hand to his face. Their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss while James wrapped his arm around her waist bringing her closer to him. They reluctantly parted, catching their breath. "Does that answer it?" She whispered.
"No."
A playful laugh escaped her and she pulled back placing both hands on his face. Ella looked at him with all seriousness. "I love you."
James leaned forward resting his forehead on hers, letting out a deep breath in relief. "I love you too."
They stood there in silence for some time, neither of them in a hurry to move. Ella eventually broke the silence, "I would like to go home now."
James smiled lovingly before responding, "We already are."