Disclaimer: IOOMOC

J.L.: Rolling right along.

Jill

Days turned into weeks and I found myself buried in so much paperwork and tutoring sessions for proper behavior regarding nobility that the only time I found myself able to think clearly was at night, in which I would lay in my bed staring up at the ceiling and chiding myself for going through with this. It was like being caged up and hungry with a plate of food just centimeters from your outstretched fingertips. My mother was proud of me though and Lord Spencer was often visiting to court me in a sense. Why it had to be the oldest bachelor in the country that I had to marry I would never know.

On one of these nights, I was eating dinner with the two of them, the two praddling on about what policies they could agree on and taxes that they should see about instating in the area. I was busy fishing my peas around the plate with my fork, bored. That was until the conversation took a turn for the worse.

"This is of course after she sells the company; we wouldn't want a docking tax to pull from our own pockets after all." My mother spoke. I jerked my head up, glaring at them.

"What do you mean by that? Sell the company?" I asked. Lord Spencer grinned at me.

"My dear, a woman has no need to run a company; especially a Duchess. You'll sell the company can we'll use that money to build our vacation home within this town." He said.

"I'm not selling the company." I stated.

"Oh, but why would you keep such a dreadful responsibility dear? Duke Spencer will be able to provide you with all the monetary compensation you could ever require." My mother questioned.

"That company is the fruit of my own labors. I funded it with my inheritance, I have built it from the ground up and I do not want to sell it." I firmly said. The Duke and my mother shared a look.

"I will talk with her in private about it. She still has some trouble clinging to menial and childish notions." My mother reassured the Duke.

"Childish? Menial?" I muttered, astonished at how they were addressing as if I was just like those words.

"Yes…well...she has had a lot more freedom than most women her age. It's understandable how she would get attached." The Duke replied. I stood up from the table, wiping my lip off with my napkin and threw it on the table.

"Excuse me." I bid and swiftly walked out. Anger and disdain boiled within me, begging to be released. My more rational mind kept my cool, reminding me that for the sake of improving the welfare of the people within this town that it was best I kept my selfishness to myself. I walked past Renold, but stopped and looked back at him.

"Renold! I need a favor." I asked. Renold smiled his gentleman's smile.

"Yes Lady Jillian?" He replied.

"If the Duke or my mother asks for me, please inform them that I am under the weather and would like to get some rest alone in my quarters for the rest of the night." I ordered. Renold nodded his head.

"Shall I prepare some garments for you?" He asked.

"No thank you." I declined and made my way for my room to change into less conscience clothing for a night out on the town.

Chris

As Forrest order Brad, Carlos, Bruce and another round, the pub's door opened, allowing the last of the day's light to spill in the otherwise dimly lit bar. My mouth opened slightly when I saw who walked in, my heart skipping a beat. Jill made her way over and sat down at the bar, conversed with the bartender for a moment and then accepted the drink he poured for her. She chucked the shot back, setting the empty glass down and paid the bartender.

"So I told the lass, 'I don't care how much you love you boyfriend, I just want a roll in the hay!'" Carlos related, and the other guys busted out laughing. I stood up, grabbing my glass of ale.

"Excuse me gentlemen." I said and made my way to the empty seat next to Jill. Once I took it, she looked over. A hint of surprise colored her expression for a moment before she motioned for another shot from the bartender.

"Fancy see you here Mr. Redfield." She greeted.

"Likewise." I replied as the bartender gave her the shot. She raised it to me, and then chucked it down as quickly as the first.

"Just needed some air." She reasoned as she paid the bartender again. I finished off the ale and set the empty glass down.

"Perhaps a walk would do you better than this smoke filled pub." I suggested. She smiled at me slightly and nodded so I fished some money out and left it on the bar before escorting her out. We stepped out into the warm summer air and I offer my arm to her. She accepted it and allowed me to lead as she started to tell me about what had happened since the docking.

"Now they want me to sell the company." She finished minutes later on the other side of the town.

"Are you going to?" I asked, curious about my own employment at this point.

"I don't want to. I don't want to do any of this. I don't want to marry Duke Spencer, I don't want to stop sailing, and I don't want to be a Duchess. I just want to be…an explorer like my father before me." She admitted.

"So why don't you just decline?" I asked, stopping. Jill looked me in the eyes.

"If the Duke doesn't marry me, the duchy goes extinct without an heir. If I don't stop sailing, then I'll never be able to handle a settled life and if I don't become Duchess then this town will never grow to anything more than a harbor." She explained.

"That doesn't mean you have to give up what you're passionate about." I tried. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"I'm still a child in their eyes Chris. Only after I sacrifice everything I want will they see me as a competent adult." She said.

"Will it be worth you losing that fire in your eyes?" I asked. She shook her head.

"Please, no flattery, not while I'm trying to be serious." She pleaded. I glanced around to ensure that we were alone, and when I confirmed this I grabbed both of her hands and pulled her up close to me.

"Again, I invite you to run off and elope with me. Forget about this town and everything." I teased. She smiled a little.

"Two months of no contact and you still wish to make me your bride. You are lonely, persistent or just plain old stupid." She teased back, opening her eyes to lock them on my own.

"You are the same for your choices regarding your life." I replied. She smiled and rolled her eyes before continuing the walk.

"The point is, Christopher…despite the fact that I am in love with you, I cannot accept your offers of a happily ever after. Not without being selfish." She refused. We were drawing up to the Kennedy Manor's front gates.

"Love, is it?" I asked.

"Oh shit…did I really just admit that?" She swore. I smirked at her as she slapped her forehead with her hand. We stopped in front of the open gates.

"Yes, you did. Is it true?" I continued to question. She bit her lip and nodded.

"You keep that to yourself. I'll deny it to anyone else." She stated. I gathered her up in my arms, swinging her around as my heart soared. She started laughing as I set her down gently.

"I love you too." I whispered into her ear before capturing her lips with my own. She pressed into the kiss with a bit of fervor, the two of us locked tightly together.

"Ahem…Lady Jillian?" I heard a voice ask. Jill and I separated, worry building within me. Jill smiled at the old man, dressed sharply and posed proper.

"Oh, Renold, this is…Christopher Redfield. Chris, this is my butler, Renold." Jill introduced. I shook the old man's hand, trying to get a good read of him.

"I don't suppose this was the reason you feigned illness?" Renold asked.

"No. This….was very much unplanned. I would appreciate it if not a word of this was spoken to my mother or the Duke." Jill requested. The butler nodded.

"Lady Jillian, will you and Mr. Redfield be retiring to your room for the night or shall I fetch a carriage for him?" Renold asked. Jill's face shot red as she locked eyes with me momentarily.

"Uh….a carriage if you will." Jill answered. The butler nodded and walked off. Jill turned to me.

"So….I suppose this is goodnight." I bid. She sighed out, brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Chris...this wasn't supposed to…" She started.

"No, I understand…under different circumstances we could have been married." I finished for her.

"Actually…I was apologizing for sending for a carriage. I…don't want to um…call this…whatever it is….quits. I would like to meet up with you again." She said. I smiled at her as I saw the carriage being brought around.

"I'll most likely be at the pub, if you need an ear." I offered. She nodded and hugged me quickly before stepping back for the carriage.

Jill

I made my way towards the manor, reflecting on the mess of confusion I was making my life into. As I stepped into the manor, I saw that the Duke was sitting there, waiting. I felt fear and anxiety rush through me, like a child with her hand caught in the cookie jar.

"Jillian, if you would, I would like to take a stroll around the rose garden." The Duke requested. I saw very little choice in the matter and grabbed the handles to his wheelchair to wheel him around the garden.

J.L.: Oh yes, I am that cruel.