Chapter 12

"Leave."

Rey twisted back towards Ren, alarmed at his tone. "Captain Dameron was merely walking with me in the garden, Ren."

Ren's gaze flashed quickly to her, leaving Rey startled at the fury she found in his eyes.

"I came unannounced," Captain Dameron said, holding up a placating hand. "Your wife was gracious enough to see me."

"I am not so gracious," Ren replied, pulling himself up to his full height. "Leave or I shall have you escorted off the property."

"Ren, please be reasonable" Rey said, wishing to avoid a scene. Already several servants were trying to pretend they weren't listening to the exchange.

Ren looked over at Rey, the full force of his anger again piercing her. "I am being quite reasonable. I am simply asking that your guest take his leave. If he refuses then I shall be forced to have him escorted off the property."

Rey noticed Ren's hands were in tight fists, his knuckles whitening. She wondered again what could have happened between the men to cause Ren to have such a violent reaction to Captain Dameron's presence.

Rey turned towards the captain. "I believe it's best if you take your leave, Captain."

Captain Dameron nodded. "Of course." Turning to Ren, he added, "There will be no need for violence, Ben."

Ren watched Captain Dameron closely as he got on his horse, and did not drop his stare until the captain had exited the gate to the estate. Rey watched Ren carefully, noting the tense shoulders to match his clenched fists.

When the captain was at last gone, Ren abruptly turned on his heel and walked towards the door, leaving Rey to stare after him, both surprised and hurt that he had chosen to ignore her.

After several moments, Rey shook off her shock and ran after him. As she entered the house, she saw Ren taking the stairs two at a time.

"Ren!" Rey called, running towards the stairs. When he didn't pause, she called again, a note of pleading in her voice. "Ren! Please wait!"

Ren paused at the top of the stairs, but kept his back turned, his hand tightly gripping the bannister. Rey hurried up the steps, stepping around Ren so that she was in front of him. He had his eyes closed, breathing quickly, his posture tense. Rey briefly recalled the sound of shattering glass, the night he found out about her childhood with Mr. Plutt, and paused.

Before Rey could figure out what to say, Ren opened his eyes, piercing her again with his furious stare.

"I expressly forbade you from contact with Captain Dameron, and the moment I'm gone you go behind my back and see him anyway." His words were clipped with barely contained rage.

Rey shook her head, willing him to be reasonable. "It wasn't like that, Ren. I promise you."

Ren's knuckles whitened further. "Then why was he here?"

Rey, swallowing, slowly placed her hand atop his and pulled it off the bannister. She was both relieved and surprised when Ren let her. Looking him in the eye, swallowing down her nerves, Rey replied, "I was curious about your objections to Captain Dameron and when your parents had me over for dinner, I asked your mother for clarification on the issue. She must have told Captain Dameron my concerns, because he came by today to clarify that he had meant no harm that night." She paused, biting her lip as she watched emotions flicker through Ren's eyes.

"This was his first and only visit," she continued, quietly. "Surely you cannot think so little of me as to believe I would bring shame upon our already scandalous marriage." Rey swallowed, her throat feeling thick. Ren's brow furrowed, his severe manner relaxing as she spoke.

"By speaking with your mother, I was simply trying to understand why you object so strongly to Captain Dameron that you would forbid me from seeing him. As well," she said, a note of admonishment entering her tone, "I must admit to feeling a certain amount of confusion and distress that you would feel the need to forbid me when a simple request that I not see the captain would have sufficed. I don't know what objections you have against the man, but I respect that you have concerns and therefore did not reach out to him myself."

Rey was silent then, watching Ren closely as he again closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After a moment, his fingers closed around her hand and he sighed deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing. When he opened his eyes once more, Rey's breath caught at his heated stare, flutters erupting in her stomach as his thumb brushed across her hand.

Before either of them could speak, however, a throat cleared. They both turned to find Finn walking up the stairs, seeming uncomfortable at having interrupted their conversation.

Rey made to pull her hand away, but Ren grasped it tighter, staying her.

"Forgive my intrusion," Finn said, "but an urgent message just arrived."

As Finn handed over the envelope to Ren, he let go of Rey's hand to pull the letter out, quickly reading through it as Finn stepped back. Rey watched another flurry of emotions cross Ren's face as he read the letter. As she looked at him, she began to notice details that had escaped her in the rush to explain Captain Dameron's presence. There were bags under his eyes and his coloring was pallid. His clothes were also dusty and wrinkled. Rey wondered how quickly he had been traveling to arrive back at the manor. His overall appearance would suggest that he had not stopped except by necessity.

Rey saw Ren's fist clench again and asked, "What is it?"

Ren lowered the letter, his hand shaking. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. "It's from my mother. My uncle is gravely ill."

"Prince Luke?" Rey asked, recalling his excuse of poor health for not joining them for dinner. It had appeared by Leia's explanation to have been nothing more than a paltry excuse, but perhaps it had been true after all.

Ren nodded. "He has pleurisy." Without explaining further, Ren handed Rey the letter.

She scanned it quickly, noting the princess's plea for them to come quickly.

"Does your mother know you've arrived home?"

Ren shook his head. "I did not alert her to my return. She probably sent another to my home in London."

Rey bit her lip. "Are you going?"

Ren's eyes lowered to Rey's lips, heat filling her cheeks at his gaze.

"Why should I?" he asked, raising his eyes back to hers. "The last I saw my uncle, he was threatening to disinherit me." He looked away, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. "I would likely only make things worse."

Rey grabbed Ren's hand again. "If you don't go, you'll regret it." When she could see he was still determined not to go, she added, "If not for your uncle, then be there for your mother."

Ren was silent for several long moments before finally nodding once. Rey turned quickly to Finn. "Please send a reply back that we'll be there as quickly as we can, and please send Beatrice up as well."

Finn nodded and hurried down the stairs.

Rey turned back to Ren. "This late in the day, it may be best to stay for at least one night."

Ren looked down at Rey, causing a renewal of flutters in her stomach, which had abated at the somber news. "That would make sense, yes," Ren said softly.

Several long moments of silence passed between them before Rey gathered the courage to say, "I'm glad you've returned."

Ren's eyes widened slightly, as his eyebrows rose.

"The house has felt empty in your absence," Rey continued, despite the heat now creeping up her neck at the look in Ren's eyes.

"Pardon the intrusion, ma'am." Rey looked over to find Beatrice standing at a respectable distance away. "Mr. Smith said you required my assistance."

Rey stepped away from Ren, turning towards her maid, brushing her hands down her skirt and willing her emotions to calm. "Yes. We shall be leaving for the Skywalker manor immediately. Please coordinate with Ren's valet, as we will be staying the night at least, possibly longer."

Beatrice curtsied. "Right away, ma'am."

As Beatrice left, Rey turned back to Ren, only to find him gone.

"My parents will not think to provide us separate rooms."

Rey, startled from her reverie, whipped her head towards her husband. They had left shortly after their discussion atop the stairs, Mrs. Phasma promising to send their servants after them, as well as alerting Mr. Nine Ee and Miss Tico of the cancelation of Rey's lessons. The carriage ride had been, thus far, silent.

Rey swallowed nervously at the thought of sharing a room with Ren.

"I can speak with Mr. Threepio discretely if you wish," he said. "It would be but a mild inconvenience to have another room made up."

Rey's mind raced. "Wouldn't your parents be aware? Can such a thing be hidden from them?"

Ren appeared to be watching her closely, his brow furrowed. "Most likely they would find out, yes."

Rey looked away, running her palms down her skirt. It certainly wouldn't be against decorum to share a room with her husband, and requesting a separate room would likely raise many uncomfortable questions.

Drawing a steadying breath, Rey turned back to Ren. "No. I think it best we avoid further gossip." She ignored the likelihood that their servants had come to their own conclusions on the state of her marriage to Ren.

Ren stayed silent for several long moments, watching Rey. "If that is what you wish," he said, softly

Rey nodded and turned back to the window, the carriage lapsing back into silence the remainder of the trip. Rey felt the weight of everything she had yet to say regarding her recent revelations, but now did not seem the time to start what would surely be a lengthy conversation.

When they arrived at the estate, they were shown immediately into the drawing room. Mr. Solo was pacing back and forth in front of the windows, while Princess Leia sat in a chair and stared blankly towards the fire. They both turned towards Rey and Ren as they entered.

Leia pressed her lips together as she got up, eyes watery, and walked quickly towards them, grasping Ren and hugging him tightly. Had it been any other occasion, Rey might have laughed at the look of shock on Ren's face as he awkwardly returned his mother's hug. Leia let go, grasping her son's shoulders and holding him at arm's length.

"I did not realize you were home," she said, her voice wavering. "Thank you so much for coming."

Ren, mouth parted, appeared at a loss for words.

"How is he?" Rey ask quietly, attempting to give her husband a moment to recover.

The princess turned towards Rey, letting Ren go in favor of hugging her. "I know this is your doing," she whispered in Rey's ear. "Thank you."

When she let Rey go, Leia grabbed them both by the hand and pulled them towards a settee, sitting herself in a chair opposite. Han shared a tense nod with his son and kept pacing.

"Luke's breathing is much labored," the princess said, answering Rey's question. "He..." she swallowed. "He is not expected to recover."

Rey glanced at Ren, who was looking out the window, frowning, lips pressed together, though whether it was anger or sorrow that plagued him, Rey could not guess.

Looking back at Leia, Rey asked, "There's nothing to be done?"

Leia sighed. "The illness has progressed too far. The doctor says his heart is weakened. Luke had been claiming illness for weeks, but I did not think-" Leia pressed a hand to her mouth, closing her eyes. "I should have called a doctor sooner."

Han stopped pacing and turned towards his wife. "You can't blame yourself for that. Luke's a grown man. If anyone is to blame, it's him and his unwillingness to come down out of his quarters."

Rey reached over to place a hand on Leia's arm. Leia nodded, swallowing and taking a deep breath. Patting Rey's hand, she turned towards her husband. "Yes. You're right, of course. I just wish…I was so used to the incessant excuses for his reclusive behavior that I did not think to believe them." Closing her eyes again, she continued. "My visits to his wing of the house have gotten fewer in recent years. I just wish I hadn't wasted the time…"

Rey squeezed Leia's hand before looking back at Ren. He was still staring out the window, and Rey wondered if he was even listening to the conversation. As she looked away, she found Leia also watching her son. Ren had changed from his travel worn clothing but he still looked in good need of rest.

"Ren had only just returned home when we received your message. I fear he is quite exhausted," Rey said. "Might we be shown our quarters? We can join you again at dinner."

Leia nodded, looking at Ren with concern. "Of course. Threepio can show you to your room. He should be waiting just outside."

Rey nodded her thanks as Ren stood without a word and offered Rey his arm. They walked out the door and spoke with Mr. Threepio, who led them promptly to their room. When they arrived, Rey saw that their servants had arrived as well. Ren walked over to a window and stood, ignoring the inquiries of his valet. Rey quietly dismissed them both and then turned to assess the situation. She looked around the room. It was certainly large, only a little smaller than her own room. It was situated similarly, with a seating area off to one side and a large four-poster bed on the other.

Rey fidgeted, unsure how she should act, what help she could provide for Ren. She was used to his quiet manner, but there was a strange restlessness in the way he stood, and she could only guess at the cause behind his refusal to speak thus far.

Taking a few hesitant steps towards him, she asked, "Is there anything I can do?"

Ren didn't turn around, merely shaking his head once, sharply. Rey again felt the weight of all her recent revelations pressing in on her, but was determined not to add further emotional strain on her husband. If her marriage had been dissolved then another night would ruin her any more than she already was. These discussions would hold.

Gathering her courage, Rey walked over to Ren, placing a hand on his arm. When he looked down at her, she noted the emotions behind his eyes, but was unable to decipher them.

"You've had a long day," she said, "and I suspect several long days before that. Please come rest."

Ren looked at her for several long moments before closing his eyes and sighing, turning and walking over to the bed. As he walked, he shed his outer coat, letting it drop to the floor, and pulled his shirt loose from his pants. Sitting on the bed, he pulled his shoes off and then without another word lay back, staring up at the canopy.

Rey stood by the window, unsure what to do next. In the end she walked over to his coat, picking it up and folding it over the end of a chair, placing the shoes on the floor next to it. Glancing back at Ren, Rey saw he had closed his eyes. Not wishing to disturb him, she glanced around, noting the book she had been reading on the side table. Beatrice must have thought to bring it. Picking it up quietly, Rey walked over to the chairs and sat down, opening the novel.

Some time later, Rey realized she had been rereading the same page for at least twenty minutes and closed the book with a sigh.

"I could not decide whether you were an exceptionally slow reader, or if you were simply not reading at all."

Rey started and turned to find Ren watching her from the bed.

"You startled me!" she said, a hand on her chest. "How long have you been awake?"

"I never went to sleep," Ren replied.

Rey frowned. "But we've been in here an hour at least. If you haven't been sleeping, what have you been doing?"

Ren simply watched her for a moment, his eyes roving over her face as if looking for something.

"I was watching you and thinking," he finally said.

Rey's frown dissipated in her shock. "You were watching me?"

Ren sat up in bed, swinging his legs over and walking towards her, taking the chair opposite.

"You seem changed," Ren said. "I've been wondering what could have caused a softening in your manner."

Rey's heart raced. "I…." She swallowed, looking down as she wondered how to respond, startled by Ren's blunt manner. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean," she finally said.

Ren's eyebrows rose. "I'm sure you do or it would not have taken you so long to respond." His features softened as he watched her.

Rey gathered her courage and finally blurted, "I know why you had to go see His Majesty."

Ren sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers and eyeing her. "I see."

Rey leaned forward. "Tell me true, Ren. Are we still married?"

Ren's face dissolved into a look of pure astonishment. "Of course. Why wouldn't we be?"

Relief swept through Rey, though she frowned in confusion. "You…You married me without His Majesty's permission, did you not? Is that not why you were summoned?"

Ren nodded. "Yes. His Majesty felt I needed a good tongue lashing for marrying without his prior approval, but that is all the admonishment I received." He frowned as Rey fell back in the chair in relief.

"Did you think the marriage would be dissolved?" he asked.

Rey nodded, meekly. "I had not considered that you would have needed His Majesty's permission to marry me, especially since I am not a member of the peerage." Deciding it was best to leave Captain Dameron's name out of the conversation Rey continued with, "I was made aware of the reason for your summons, as well as the possibility that His Majesty would deem the marriage unfit and dissolve it." She wrung her hands together. "With everything that happened when you returned, I had not found the right moment to bring it up."

"And you assumed I would have continued to let you act as my wife were that no longer the case, with no regard at all for your propriety?" The look of censure and hurt in Ren's eyes caused guilt to bloom in Rey.

"I…You're right," she said, looking away. "I apologize for thinking so ill of you."

Silence fell between them for several minutes before Rey looked back at Ren, finding him already looking back at her.

"Will you see your uncle?" she asked.

A muscle in Ren's jaw ticked at the question and he looked away. "I don't see the point," he said, bitterly. "If he is truly dying, then it would be better to avoid further arguments between us."

Rey frowned. "Can nothing be done to reconcile the argument between you?"

Ren didn't answer, his jaw ticking again. "He is the one who threatened to disinherit me. I have not seen him since that day."

Rey cautiously asked, "Has he made any overtures towards reconciliation?"

Ren did not answer and Rey suspected that meant that Prince Luke had tried to make amends.

"Why are you here, if not to reconcile?" Rey asked, quietly

Ren looked at her sharply. "Because you convinced me to be here for my mother, who sided with her brother when he threatened me with disinheritance, if you must know."

Rey shook her head. "I cannot imagine your mother siding against you. She dearly loves you."

Ren scoffed. "It was only after months of no contact that she even tried to contact me. By then I was already the Duke of Ren and being disinherited had lost its threat."

Rey swallowed as Ren's voice grew louder.

"But she did contact you," Rey said. "Surely you cannot cast family aside so easily."

Ren frowned. "I should think you would understand, seeing as your own parents cast you aside."

Rey shook her head, her throat becoming thick as tears pricked at her eyes. "If I understand anything, it is that your family has tried to make amends where mine never have."

Ren's featured softened as he saw how upset Rey was becoming. "Sometime it is best to leave well enough alone," Ren said softly. "My uncle could not handle that I was my own man and threatened to disinherit me. He made the choice to put family reputation above all else. I spent the entirety of my childhood being shunned for the marriage between my parents and yet he and my mother are in good standing with each other. But I, his only nephew and heir, was going to bring scandal to the family name?" Ren shook his head. "No. I will not be tossed aside and forgive the slight so easily."

Rey chewed her lip, trying to find the words to make Ren see reason. "If he truly did cast you aside, then why would he try to make amends?" Rey swallowed. "If my parents arrived one day seeking my forgiveness, I would at least hear them."

Ren narrowed his eyes. "And would you forgive them?"

Rey took a deep breath, thinking. "I would like to believe I could find it in my heart to forgive them."

"Even if they sold you to Mr. Plutt for drinking money?" Ren asked, watching Rey closely as he spoke.

Rey frowned. "I…" She shook her head. "I don't know."

She narrowed her eyes at the look in Ren's. Did he know why her parents left her with Mr. Plutt?

"So, you admit the possibility that some slights cannot be so easily forgiven," Ren said.

Rey shook her head again. "Threatening disinheritance is not the same as being left behind with a strange man and made to work as a servant."

Ren's severe expression softened at her tone.

"The man is dying, Ren. If he wishes to make amends, how can you deny him?" Rey continued.

Ren swallowed, looking away from her.

"If you do nothing, then you will surely regret it," she said, standing up, wanting to get away.

When he made no move to speak, she said, "I'm going to offer sympathy to your mother."

Like you should be, she didn't add as she walked briskly out the door.

A/N: As always, thank so much for reading! All reviews are appreciated! :)