𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter seventy-one; A Plot Of Land
" And for as long as I live, I will make sure to care for you the same way you care for me. "

ELSPETH LIENS HAD to begin preparing the Langlois Estate for construction as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this meant more paperwork than she had been prepared for.

Blueprints, hiring the right men, budgeting, planning; the better half of her day had been used up merely trying to figure out how big a house should be.

"Hugo, I might be going cross-eyed."

Hugo Laurent let out a soft chuckle, approaching Elspeth as she sunk into the desk, resting her forehead on a stack of paperwork.

"Perhaps you are due for a break."

"I've barely begun."

"It takes more than a day to begin a project this large," Hugo said quietly, "You must eat lunch, anyhow. And Lady Kenna has been requesting your presence since this morning."

Elspeth peered up, met with an expression of concern from Hugo. She sighed, stood, and nodded.

Hugo smiled, opening the door for Elspeth, and following her down the winding corridors.

It was a matter of moments before Kenna found her.

"So, how was Fraser? Still as strict and unmoving as ever?"

Elspeth laughed, turning so the two of them would enter the grand room that most of the nobles living in the castle were occupying. Drinking, games, chatting; it was the epicenter of most of the goings on inside the castle.

"At the start," Elspeth informed, "But, he eventually came around."

Kenna gaped, plopping onto a chaise lounge beside Elspeth.

"Well, did they like Demetre?"

Elspeth grimaced, recounting the story of Scotland, leaving out only the sparse details.

Kenna's face morphed and changed with every new speck of information; she'd gone from anger to sadness to joy in a matter of moments.

"So you'll be returning once the two of you are wed, then?"

Elspeth frowned lightly, clasping Kenna's hands in her own.

"Our business in France is not over quite yet," Elspeth assured gently, "We have many things to take care of, yet. . . but yes. We intend to return to my family's estate. Live as Duke and Duchess."

Kenna twisted her lips to the side, her eyes going watery as she stared at her best friend.

"Oh, I'm so happy for you, Ellie," Kenna breathed out, pulling the woman into a hug, "Hans would be so proud."

Elspeth smiled herself, hugging Kenna in return.

"I have two more things to tell you," Elspeth said, pulling back, her grin growing.

"Well, go on, tell me!"

"You have to keep the first a secret," Elspeth laughed, pulling Kenna closer.

"Always."

Elspeth glanced around the room briefly, before turning back to Kenna and dropping her voice low.

"Demetre and I are already wed."

Kenna's jaw dropped open, her eyes widening as laughter bubbled out of Elspeth's mouth.

"You're serious?"

"I swear it."

"Oh, Ellie!"

Kenna pulled her in for another tight hug, the girls rocking side to side in sync.

"Oh, I want to be angry that I wasn't there, but I'm too happy for you," Kenna admitted, "I told you, the very first night we were here, I told you that you would be with him."

"I recall you swearing one of us would be with him," Elspeth laughed.

"Well, either way, I was right, wasn't I?" Kenna quirked with a half-smile. "Now, come on, what's the second one?"

Kenna raised a brow before a wave of shock ran across her face. She leaned in close, her voice barely a whisper.

"You're pregnant, aren't you--"

"No, Kenna!" Elspeth laughed loudly, her face warming, "No, we haven't. . . that would be impossible."

"Your restraint is stronger than my own. You are. . . married, after all."

"Kenna!"

"I'm sorry," Kenna laughed, "I just think it's quite humorous that out of all of us, you, Elspeth Liens, forever ignoring the rules of high society, are the only woman who made it to your wedding with your virtue."

"Well, perhaps it's nothing to do with high society."

Kenna raised a brow before her face became softer, more caring, and more understanding.

"It's alright if you're scared," Kenna shrugged, "You've done a wonderful job living your life at the pace that pleases you best. I'm only teasing you, so don't let this be an exception. After all, you've got a lovely man who adores you. If you've no interest in it, then wait. If you do, maybe speak with Demetre. He doesn't seem the kind to brush it off."

"He wouldn't," Elspeth agreed, sighing, "And yet, it is daunting."

"Of course it is. This thing that has been scandalized and hidden away from us for so long. Some run toward it, some run away from it. I hardly think there's shame in either reaction."

Elspeth nodded though the thought clearly still made her uneasy.

She knew it was a mountain because she had built it into one. But she didn't want to diminish the genuine emotions that had come out of it anyway. It was scary. She was nervous. And it didn't help knowing that Demetre had been with others before her.

But, she thought, this could only be solved by speaking to him. With facing the mountain instead of ignoring it.

She loved Demetre. She was attracted to Demetre. She wanted to want to. But the fear of being known in a way so intimate unnerved her.

"That matter is for another time," Elspeth said, sitting up straighter, "The other thing is about a large plot of land and a house being built on it."

"Are you adding to your family's estate? I figured your parents would stay in the main house--"

"A plot of land in France," Elspeth said, "It is where the Langlois Estate used to stand. It's being rebuilt."

"Oh, that's lovely. The two of you can come visit often then," Kenna smiled.

"We're not building it for us," Elspeth laughed, shaking her head, "When we move back to Scotland, we both wanted to ensure the employees of House Langlois were taken care of. Given lodging and jobs in the absence of Demetre. . . so, the Estate will be rebuilt. A grand main house, a guardhouse, stables, gardens. . . and it will be fully staffed by the employees Demetre has hired his time here."

"That's wonderful, Ellie, but what sort of jobs will they have if you two aren't planning to visit?"

"Well, the house will need a family to live in it, or else it'd all be for naught," Elspeth said, her own smile creeping up, "I figured it may suit you and Sebastian."

Kenna's face dropped, her eyes widening briefly.

"What?"

"It'll take time to build and furnish," Elspeth said quickly, "I've barely begun the preparations; I figured having you involved would be prudent as--"

"You're serious?"

Elspeth faltered, a soft smile falling across her features.

"Of course, Kenna. The house will be yours and Sebastian's. We will ensure the staff is paid fairly; you two won't have to worry for anything other than what you'd like it to look like."

Kenna lifted shaky hands, covering her mouth.

"Ellie. . ."

"You deserve it," Elspeth said softly, "We are an immovable force. And for as long as I live, I will make sure to care for you the same way you care for me."

Kenna couldn't force words out of her throat, so as tears bubbled up, she simply threw her arms around Elspeth.

And Elspeth hugged her back, and after a few more moments of tears and assurance, Kenna began preening at the idea of her own estate.

They laughed and planned and Kenna spilled what had been happening in France during her absence, and Elspeth Liens knew she would be just as busy as Demetre Langlois for the next few months.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
short lil Kenna and Ellie chapter
I love these girls so much <3