As Nicole waited on her knees in front of him, she began to cry. His face and emotions were unreadable to her at that moment and she was fearful he would reject her and she felt her heart crumble into a million pieces. His face softened and his eyes grew sorrowful as he saw her tears and joined her on the floor and took her hands in his. He cleared his throat, but she stopped him. "If it's bad, I don't want to know. It'd be easier if you just left." "Nicole, I...." "Autin, please. I need you. Just stay with me." He took a deep breath and stared at her. "I have to go, right now I will be back." "What?" "I'm sorry." Nicole was a mess on the floor as Austin left her heart in pieces when he walked out of the door and basically out of her life. Marie found her and saw the numbing look on her friend's face as she saw Austin leave. She didn't know what to do and then she went t the window and realized that she couldn't do anyt

Austin was at the small field hospital checking on his men as the battle had been won and there were many causalities. Austin hated how good he was at fighting and killing but his need to see Nicole again drove him to never stop. While he was talking to the doctor, a couple of men came in with a soldier to see him. Austin walked them to his tent and sat down with them. "How can I help you, gentlemen?" "We are here on behalf of Duke Henry Bradshaw." "What is it? Is it Nicole? What's happened?" "We have this letter." One of them handed the letter over and Austin opened it at seeing Henry's seal.                                                                      Austin, I know I am the one who ran you off, but I fear I have made a grave mistake. Nicole's ha

Nicole was home early from a dress fitting and her mother was still out. Henry or Austin had no idea she had returned, so when she came in, she heard them talking. She was going to intrude, but she stood and listened. "Now, listen, in order to get it down right, you have to make sure all of your tenets and employees are in order as well as the books." "Okay, but as duke, arent I the highest rank?" "Yes. People will have respect for you, Austin, but there will be those who will try and bring you down." "So, know who to be friends with and know who to piss off." "Exactly." Nicole had heard enough and burst through the doors. Both men stood still and shocked. "When were either of you planning on telling me?" "Nicole, honey, we were." "Austin?" "He asked me not to until I was ready." "So, this is what you've been doing?" "Yes." "Why keep it from me?" "You freaked out before ta

Nicole woke up the next morning to find herself alone. She was sad at first but laughed to herself. Austin had gotten up early and started working on things that needed to be done. He made a whole list after inspecting the grounds the day before. He grew up the son of an earl who didn't have to do anything and now he was a duke who still didn't have to do anything, but the military made him enjoying using his hands. He needed to do things on his own and she knew this would always be a part of him. She got up and dressed for the day and went downstairs to the breakfast table. There was a buffet of food laid out and the housekeeper told her that the servants had eaten some of the food that went out with him. She smiled at this, glad that this wouldn't be a problem. She enjoyed her maid and housekeeper and cook to sit down and eat with her. Her personal lady's maid was nervous at first when she had first asked, but now it was just something that they did. Once breakfast was ove

Four days later, she was sitting in the drawing-room. Their families were supposed to arrive tomorrow for the dinner. She was reading a book on the window seat when Lilly walked in with a tray of tea and biscuits. She set it down and Nicole looked at her. "What's all this?" "His grace thought you might be hungry." "That's very kind of him." Lilly dipped her head and left her, knowing Nicole would want to pour her own tea. Nicole went back to her book after getting a plate with biscuits and poured herself some tea. Austin came in later and found the biscuits gone and the teapot almost empty. He smiled and came over next to her. He sat behind her and pulled her into his lap. She smiled when he kissed her and he told her to keep reading. He just wanted to enjoy her company. When Lilly came back a couples of hours later to get the tray, she found both of them asleep on the window seat. She grabbed the tray and excused herself and told the rest of the staf