Abigail pov contd

“Where were you, Abi?” asked father as he looked at me finally.

“I was in the library, father, I was preparing for my exams,” I replied and he frowned

He wanted to say something, but just nodded his head and started the meal. Everyone followed him. I looked at the red-faced Isabella with curiosity. I thought there would be another drama but the room was silent and normal. Though Nicholas had already informed that he had thrown another tantrum.

The meal was too silent up to my liking and I was not even hungry so I just took a few bites and I was already done. But as per the rule of the cultured families. No one can leave before the head of the family leaves the table. So I just sat there moving my fork in the plate again and again.

When the dinner was finished I thought that I could finally go and rest in my bed but when my father wiped his face with the handkerchief, he looked at me again. His face was grim as if he had bad news for me.

He stood up, but my eyes were still following him stealthily.

“Abigail, come to my study” he said authoritatively and left the room. I looked at Isabella if it had anything to do with him, but she was glaring at me and looking at the way where father left with jealousy.

So it wasn’t her work. I stood up and followed his footsteps. I knocked on the door and entered when he replied.

My father looked at me gravely, as he offered me the seat.

“Tell me abi, how do you know that sir seymour has an ancestral technique of swordsmanship?” he asked even before I could sit comfortably. And I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles.

“I heard a few knights talking about it father.” I replied with confidence and nonchalance as if it was not a big thing.

His sharp eyes continued to look at me as he tilted his face.

“And what about the dual sword technique? Noah told me that he was not the one who had taught you that so as nicholas. Don’t tell me that you have learnt it from other knights too. It is a rare technique that only a few of us followed.” he said before I could even form an excuse.

“I was reading about it, father. And the competition was the first time trying it” 

“It did not feel like it was your first time handling dual swords” he retorted back and I just gave a sheepish grin.

“Ot was father. It was a do or die condition. And desperate situations lead to desperate measures.” I said but he was not at all satisfied with my anwer., but I didn’t care.

As long as I did not accept, he could not find anything since there was no one who had taught me so.

“Where were you last night, abi? And who were you with? I know you are not alone and do not lie to me this time. Is there someone who is meeting you or teaching you things?” he asked and i would not lie i was dumbfounded.,

What kind of thoughts were forming in his mind? Did he think that I was having an affair? Or did he think that I had hired someone to train me secretly. I was not able to catch up at all.

“Pardon” 

“Abigail Essendon, you are not going out until you tell me the truth. I know you are hiding many things. And as your father I will make sure that I will know every part of it” he said, his voice full of authority. And it was clear that he would not relent until I told the truth to him.

But the question was.. Even if I tell him, would he believe me?

“Do you really want to know the truth father?” I asked and he nodded, his face was serious as he continued to look at me and I nodded.

I nodded back, “a long time ago, I married the wrong man thinking he was perfect and he killed all of my family including you. I hated him so much that I left my new life and came back here to take revenge from him. And to tell all of you that I love you. That man was none other than the archduke Gerard wiltshire ” I replied and he looked at me as if I had gone crazy.

His face was dark and his frown was so strong that lines could be seen forming on his forehead.

“Do you take all this as a joke, Abi? I am serious and trying to know the truth and you are spouting nonsense. Leave the room and trust me I will keep you locked in the house all your life until you tell me the truth.” he roared, he was looking disappointed with my reply and I sighed.

No matter how many times did he ask this was the truth. And why was he so sure that I was meeting someone? Just because i knew the dual sword technique?! Things did not add up well to me.

I sat there silently contemplating when he sighed. 

“Abi, I know that you are not happy with my other marriage, but the dukedom needed a duchess to handle things, and it had been years. And no matter what happened i did not stop loving you. You are the most important person to me. You can come to me and tell me anything, right?” When the hard approach did not work, he tried a softer approach, but the fact was I had already told him the truth.

“Go and take a rest, we will talk about it later,” he said as realised I was not even speaking a single word. I nodded and stood up, ready to go when he added.

“Noah is a good man, Abi. you will understand him more as the time will pass” was that the reason he invited Noah to have dinner with us, was he was fixing my match!