A Huge Announcement

This was not the greeting that Gareth had expected from Autumn, as he held he hand to his cheek. She really did let him have it, and his ears were ringing slightly. She was demanding where he had been and why he never called her, to let her know how he was doing. And she was crying and fuming at the same time. He smiled at her reactions to him, knowing that she cared for him.

"Chéri, I--", Gareth started to explain as he removed his mask.
"Don't chéri me!", she shouted at him. Gareth kept his smile, as he understood why she was so fuming mad. She had already taken her mask off. She was beautiful.
"Darling, listen to me for a moment. Let me explain what is going on.", Gareth said gently.
"What?!", she shot back, obviously very upset.
"Chéri, I know why you are upset and I have an explanation for that. I know I should have called to inform you of things, but I couldn't find the chance to as things were very hectic.", Gareth began.

Autumn eyed him suspiciously. Gareth only grinned and leaned against the marble railing. Autumn did the same, but with her arms across her chest and straight into the ballroom.

"And did I mention that you look absolutely stunning in that dress?", Gareth teased her. She shot him a look and glared. Gareth only smiled at her.

"I had to go to a few places in Scotland, to see a distant relative's properties and land.", Gareth continued his explanation. Autumn looked at him in surprise.
"Why?", she asked him, her interest piqued. Gareth grinned.
"Well, you see. I have this distant relative, of whom I only met when I was a wee lad, about 5 years old. He was a distant relative to my Dad. I think he was my Dad's cousin's wife's brother.", Gareth said as he counted with his fingers. Autumn giggled.

"Anyways, it does not matter. He never married and had no children and had recently passed on. With no children of his own, or any other nephews to hand his estate to, he had willed it to me.", Gareth said with a smile.
"Are you saying the estate is yours now? All of them in Scotland?", Autumn asked slowly, trying to piece everything together.
"Not just an estate, I've also a new title. I'm no longer Viscount St Claire.", he began again. Autumn looked at him and tilted her head in question.
"I am now the Duke of Blackburn.", Gareth said softly as he held her hands.
~~~

"Duke of Blackburn?", I asked, my eyes opened wide. Gareth nodded. I touched my tummy. If I married Gareth, my child, no, our child, if it were a boy will be a Marque. I was about 7 weeks into the pregnancy. I touched my forehead. It was then I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders. I looked up and Gareth was looking at me with concern. His green eyes dimmed a little.

"I hope it's not too big a news for you.", Gareth began. I only shook my head.
"No, I'm just--", I began softly, and Gareth pulled me in close and embraced me.
"How I missed you chéri. I thought of nothing but to hold you in my arms again for the past three weeks.", Gareth said with a sigh, and hled me closer. I relaxed in his arms.

"Does your parents know about this?", I asked him as I rested my head on his chest. He nuzzled the top of my head with his chin.
"They got to know about it just yesterday when I got back from Scotland.", Gareth explained as he let me go.
"And this birthday party, is also an opportunity for me to make the annoucement of my new title.", Gareth added.

"But you never wanted a title.", I reasoned with him.
"I did not want to fight with Phillip for the title. I just wanted to be left alone, and do what I do best. Designing gowns. But now, I've already done that, and am still doing that. A new title now, is not going to make things any different than before.", Gareth continued.
"It is going to be different. Everyone will look at your differently. I'm just worried that you will lose track of who you really are.", I explained as I held his hands.
"That is why I need you by my side. To remind me everyday that I am still me, and not someone else.", Gareth said with a smile as he put both his hands on either side of my shoulders.

"But--", I tried again.
"Hush now. I know your worries and understand them. Please trust me on this, have faith in me.", Gareth said as he put a finger on my lips.
"I'm just worried.", I said gently. He smiled and nodded.
"I know. Thank you my love.", was all he said before he leaned in to kiss me again. I sighed under his kiss.

"Happy birthday mon cher.", I whispered as we parted. He smiled against my lips.
"Thank you darling.", he whispered back.
"We need to get back.", I said softly, unwillingly. He nodded.

We put our masks on and headed back into the ballroom to join the others. Gareth then led me back to my family, and greeted everyone. I spotted Nic in a distance, watching Pris from a distance. I sighed to myself. Gareth excused himself after telling Grandmama and Grandpapa to enjoy themselves. With that, Edwardo and Monique had gathered the guests together.

"Thank you everyone for coming this evening to our son's birthday celebration. We hope that everyone here is enjoying themsleves this evening.", Edwardo started. Everyone clapped.
"We are pleased to make an annoucement, but we will allow Gareth to so on his own.", Edwardo added. Murmerings could be heard.

"So did you know what happened to Gareth?", Pris was on my right suddenly. I looked at her.
"I would like to know too.", Nic suddenly appreared on my left. I was taken aback by his voice.
"You!", Pris whispered at him harshly.
"Don't scare her like that. She's delicate now.", Pris chided him.
"Oh! Now it's my fault.", Nic rebutted back.
"You you--", Pris began angrily.
"Stop it or I will really feel faint. Just listen to Gareth and you will know what happened.", I scolded both of them under my breath and they kept silent. I gently touched my tummy, and Pris noticed. She wrapped her arm in the crook my mine, and I looked up at her. She smiled at me.

"Good evening everyone.", Gareth began as he took off his mask. Murmers everywhere.
"I believe that all of you know that I had g0ne missing in action for a number of weeks. I apologise to those of whom I have inconenience.", Gareth continued.
"To put the record straight, I did not go to rehab in Scotland, nor did I spend any time with a mistress in Scotland.", he added as he laughed. My eyes nearly popped. Where those the rumors that were going around in London?

"I was in Scotland visiting properties and land that a distant relative of mine had owned. It is hard to put this to you all. As you all may have heard that the Duke of Blackburn has recently passed on.", Gareth went on. More murmers and whispers this time. There was a buzz in the ballroom. This was huge news a few weeks back.

"My lawyer will tell you rest of it.", Gareth said and stepped aside. A gentleman took over.

"As you may already know, the duke of Blackburn has recently passed on with no children. As in his will, it is my pleasure to annouce the new owner of the Blackburn estate. The new Duke of Blackburn, Gareth Alastair St Claire.", the gentleman announced.

Chaos.

That was the right word to use the moment Gareth's lawyer made the announcement. Gareth has climbed up the peerage much higher that his own father's title. Not that is mattered to Edwardo, who stood there proudly, with Monique by his side. He was sincerely proud of Gareth as was his mother. This was going to be all over the news tomorrow morning. And here I was, not even half a girlfriend to this new Duke. Gareth said his thanks and searched the crowd. I closed my eyes, not wanting to signal to him. I wanted him to find me on his own in this crowd.

"Cheri.", Gareth called out to him. I looked up and smiled.
"Pris, I need to sit down.", I whispered to her. She went into protective mode and led me to the nearest couch available. Nicholas and Gareth looked lost for a moment and followed along. Pris helped me and sat down beside me.

"Do you need anything?", she asked me.
"A drink and something to eat.", I said softly. Pris looked at up both guys.
"You! Go get something light for Autumn.", she ordered Nic. Nic looked at her wide eyed. I looked at Pris in surprise.
"Gareth, could you get a drink for Autumn? That would be wonderful.", Pris said nicely to Gareth. Gareth nodded and looked at Nic in surprise and smirked.

With both guys gone, I turned to Pris to quickly speak to her.

"Gareth's a duke now.", I said breathlessly.
"A very rich one at that too.", she added as she looked up.
"I'm going to tell him at Christmas. I would be about 3 months by then.", I said softly to her. Pris nodded.
"Whenever you're ready.", was all she said. I smiled.
"It will be a Christmas present to him. But I'm not expecting marriage. Not yet at least.", I admitted to her.
"Why? You are so ready to get married.", Pris rebutted. I shook my head.
"Things have been crazy of late.", I said and looked around.

It was then Justina approached us.