Chapter Twenty-Three: The Dinner Part Two

*I'm changing to a bi-weekly update schedule!*

September 12th, 1879

London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Marie followed Matthew's storming figure down the stairs and towards the dining room. He was angry, fuming even. He didn't listen to her pleas to calm down before he did something he regretted. His temper was something he inherited from his father and something he usually prided himself in controlling. But now, it seemed control was a thing of the past.

Matthew threw open the doors to the dining room and stalked inside. The Moriarty brothers hadn't moved from their spots at the table. Lady Christie was nowhere to be found, and Albina was sitting shaking in her seat, her face white and hands clasped before her.

Marie supposed their part of the plan went well if this was her reaction.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Matthew demanded; however, he wasn't pressing the Moriartys'; he was talking to Albina. She immediately stood and threw herself into Matthew's arms, bursting into tears.

"They've been threatening me, Matthew! They've been—" Matthew pushed her away angrily, making her stumble.

"You've been plotting my murder this entire time! And for what?! Money?!" He exclaimed, voice not quite a shout, but it was close. Albina stiffened, and her eyes shot to meet Marie's, tears streaking her cheeks.

Betrayal shone in those eyes of hers, but all Marie did was shrug. What was she supposed to do? Not warn Matthew?

Marie took her seat next to Albert as William took effortless control of the conversation.

"Have a seat Lord Christie." He said, and Marie spied Louis discreetly taking up a knife in case things went south. Matthew gritted his teeth, nostrils flaring, and cheeks flushed red. But he took a seat, with Albina cautiously taking her seat next to him.

"Don't call me that. That's my father's title."

"A father who is riddled with abuse and embezzlement claims? He is no lord." William replied simply, unphased by the anger. Instead, he sat in his seat, smiling that infuriating smile of his with his hands steepled before him. "We have much to discuss." He continued, and Matthew grimaced.

"Care to enlighten me what we have to talk about? I've just found out my wife intends to kill me and that my father was an abusive monster!" Matthew snapped, and William gestured to Marie.

"We are here to negotiate for your and Albina's silence about Miss Dubois and the death of your father." Was all he said, and Matthew sputtered in anger.

"Silence about what?! You're here to threaten us, aren't you?!" He demanded, and William shrugged,

"We can threaten you if you like. But Marie here has asked that we do no such thing. She still holds you in high regard, you know." At this, Matthew flinched as if struck in the face. He looked to Marie, who offered a sad smile. It was true; she still held Matthew in high regard, cared for him even.

But she couldn't love him.

Matthew was silent for a beat before rubbing his face and letting out a cry of anger. Marie flinched at the noise and looked away. She felt a hand on her's where she was clenching them underneath the table. She looked to the side and saw Albert offering her a reassuring smile.

Matthew drew her attention by slumping down in his seat, dragging his hands down his face, and scrubbing at his eyes with shaking hands.

"Alright, we'll keep quiet." He said finally, and Albina burst out in protest.

"But she killed your father! They threatened me! Does that mean nothing to you?" At this, Matthew's distraught face twisted in anger. He whirled to look Albina straight in the eye with a snarl beginning to curl the side of his mouth.

"You have no right to say that. You plotted my murder and only stopped when the Moriarty's stepped in. You are lucky I don't divorce you and throw you out to the streets." He said, and Albina blanched, face going pale. She recoiled, and when she spoke, her voice shook,

"Y—you wouldn't do that." She tried to deny it. Divorce would ruin her and her reputation, especially this early in the marriage. Her shoulders slumped when he replied.

"You're right. I won't do that. I promised when I married you; I would be with you for better and for worse." He said firmly, anger still present in his eyes but also sadness. He had gone through so much in such a short amount of time.

A hand gently caught Marie's just as she was leaving the manor. She stopped and turned, leaving the Moriarty's to go on ahead. Albert stopped to wait, but she waved him on once she realized who was holding onto her hand.

It was Matthew.

Marie turned to face her ex-fiancé and noticed Albina was nowhere to be found. Instead, she was probably waiting in her and Matthew's bedroom to further discuss the things discovered tonight.

"I have to ask, did you—did you ever think of returning after you left?" He asked softly, and Marie smiled sadly. Of course, she had.

"Every day." She replied just as softly, and Matthew's grip tightened marginally on her hand. However, it wasn't enough to hurt yet.

"You still can, leave this life of murder and death behind and come back and work for the Christie family. I promise it'll be different!" He pleaded, but Marie shook her head,

"I can't." Was all she managed, and Matthew's face scrunched up.

"Why not?" He asked, and Marie found her eyes drifting to watch Albert climb back into the carriage,

"I can't return here. I—I've fallen in love with someone else." Matthew's eyes locked on Albert's disappearing form, and this time, he smiled sadly.

"I never stood a chance, did I?" He said so softly, Marie almost didn't hear him. She laid a hand on his arm,

"I'm sorry." She said before leaving him behind, most likely for the last time.