"What did you say?" Marcus roared with laughter at his friend, "I thought I have seen the end of it when you said you were going to court your wife, but now you have agreed to become her slave?"

Few days ago:

Antony woke up to find himself once again hugging Amelia protectively. He did not remember moving in his sleep. He liked waking up with Amelia in his arms, but he thought that was because of how they went to sleep. But, yesterday they slept widely apart. He slowly got up without disturbing Amelia. He was frustrated and flushed.

"I will be back soon," he kissed the sleeping form of Amelia before sneaking out of the window.

He had no idea why he kept spouting nonsense last night.

"Marcus, I have no idea what I am doing," Antony confessed as he sat slumped in the garden chair.

"As I said before, just apologise."

"You don't know what I did!"

"I heard."

"And you still think an apology would be enough?"

"No, it's a start."

"I must have gone insane when I watched her fall into the water. It was like I was transported to the nights of torture. My mind went blank and my body reacted on its own. I should have gone after my wife, but I was too busy helping Matilda and protecting her baby bump. It all sounds like an excuse now. Amelia doesn't deserve this."

"Antony, you were the one who told me I loved Frances even before I realised it. Don't you know your feelings?"

"How can I tell her that I love her? It would sound hollow, now. My actions spoke volumes than my words ever will. I never wanted to marry anyone. I am damaged and disfigured, I deserve no one. But Amelia- She is clever and witty. How could any man who knows her not fall for her? I thought I had fallen in love with her. Every time I see her, I completely lose my sanity. My body and heart crave her with an intensity I have never felt before. But one mishap at the pool proved I have never gotten over Tily and made me doubt my own feelings for Amelia. But I don't want to lose her. I know it's selfish but I can't. I told her I needed her."

"You told her you needed her!? Good heavens! Why do you dig your own grave?"

"And I told I couldn't forget Matilda-"

"Well, you prepared an epitaph, too."

"Shit! What have I done! I must have gone completely insane!"

"Antony, you never lose your composure for anything, why are you doing foolish things now? Go to her, try not to dig yourself into a hole."

"Thanks for agreeing to meet me," Marcus said to Amelia.

"Don't beat around the bush, nothing you say will change a thing."

"But, courting one's own wife will?"

"I didn't suggest it, he was hell-bent on courting me properly."

"He is getting good at digging himself up," Marcus muttered under his breath.

"I was prepared to leave home with him when he said he would court me and properly love me."

"Can't you cut him some slack!?"

"Why should I? At least, be happy that I stopped him from planning another wedding."

"He must have gone completely insane. Amelia, can't you see he loves you? He never loses his head, but he is going through the mills now all for you."

"I didn't ask him to do any of this, if he loves me shouldn't he be the one to tell me that and not you?"

"At least, tell me there is some progress from this courting."

Amelia smiled slyly.

"You are not making it easy for him, are you?"

"I am making him attend musicals. Today, we are going to a musical by Carmella."

"Poor Antony! What has he gotten himself into?" Marcus thought while Amelia smiled at his shock.

Amelia looked at her room, Antony was spoiling her with flowers, gifts, jewels, and most importantly chocolates.

"Lady, Mr. Bennet has arrived," said Mr. Jeffris.

"I am coming," Amelia stood up but staggered as her head spun.

"Lady, are you alright?"

"Just a head rush, nothing to worry."

Antony looked dashing in his evening coat and wellington hat. He presented her with a bouquet made of chocolates and kissed her knuckles.

"What happened to the carriage?" Amelia asked suspiciously as she saw a majestic white stallion standing at the entrance.

Antony held his hand up in supplication and said, "The carriage is just around the corner, I bought Snow as a present for you."

Amelia held out her hand for Snow to smell.

"Do you like him?" he asked, pleased with her reaction as she patted Snow.

"He is bearable," Amelia said, turning and marching towards the carriage.

"Don't you want to ride him?" Antony asked urgently. She got into the carriage without a reply.

Antony always managed to cunningly find a spot where the stage would be obscured so that he just had to listen and not see. Not today, thought Amelia, as she marched ahead of him. Figuring out her thought, Antony quickened his pace, overtook her, and settled on the seat.

She knocked his hat off his head, "Oh! My bad!" she said, smirking. He had to vacate his seat to fetch it, while Amelia settled ostentatiously.

"What's going on the stage now?" Amelia asked for the tenth time.

Antony glanced at the stage and winced before replying, "Why don't we switch seats, you will have a better view."

"No, the ventilation is better here."

"I think you should go to the powder room, your bonnet seems a little crooked," Antony said during the intermission.

"It's comfortable this way."

Antony left her hoping she would put her guard down if he wasn't there, but she just sat there giving him no opportunity.

"Here," Antony held out ice cream, and not so accidentally smudged some on her face.

"Oops! My bad. Looks like you have to go to the powder room."

Amelia gave him a scathing look before getting up, her head rushed again making her stagger. This time she accidentally knocked the ice cream over him.

"You little vixen!" he began to think, but he looked at Amelia stagger again, "Amelia!" He jumped up and caught her before she fell. He ran out carrying her and ordered a footman to bring water.

"My head is spinning a little-"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It will pass in a few minutes. Happened today morning, too."

"Lady Amelia, are you alright?" asked Lady Matilda, who had come out of the theatre.

"Happened in the morning? You should be resting. I will summon the physician immediately."

He carried her and hurried off to the carriage.

"Can you ride? Do you still feel faint? Did you eat properly in the morning?"

"Stop fussing Antony and don't think for a second you can fool me."

"Fool you!"

"You don't have to ignore Matilda to spare my feelings."

"Ignore Matilda? When did I? Do you want me to ignore her?"

Amelia ignored him and looked out the window; watching the moving objects made her stomach churn and gag.

Antony stood agitated as the physician examined her.

"Nothing's wrong with her, she is two months along."

Antony kneeled in front of her, and took her hand. Words failed him as tears flooded down his cheeks.

"Shhh!" Amelia said and patted his head.

"I don't deserve you."

"Then leave," Amelia said icily. She didn't want his caterwauling. It's time he came to his senses and stopped being foolish.

He hugged her pleading, "Please don't ask me to leave, I would rather die than be apart from you. I will even be your slave, but don't ask me to leave."

"Fine, be my slave."

Antony gave a watery smile, "Thanks, Amelia," while she rolled her eyes.