Chapter Thirty-Nine: Unchained by Society

Theo stood in his chambers, staring out the large window that overlooked the grounds of the Islington estate. The evening was settling in, the soft glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the room. He had been preoccupied with the tension between his wife, Eleanor, and his mother, the Duchess of Islington, ever since breakfast that morning.

His mother’s harsh words still echoed in his mind—sharp, cutting, designed to humiliate Eleanor in front of everyone. It wasn’t the first time the Duchess had tried to assert her control over her daughter-in-law, but today had been different. She had gone too far.

The memory of his mother’s voice still rankled, filled with disdain as she had publicly insulted Eleanor’s behavior, scolding her for the audacity of speaking her mind at the breakfast table. But what stung most was the way Eleanor had reacted. Instead of cowering, as his mother had expected, Eleanor had risen to the challenge, her back straight, her chin held high.

"Lady Islington," Eleanor had addressed his mother, her tone calm but full of reproach. "I am not one to sit quietly and accept being lectured for things I believe in."

And with that, she had called him “Lord Blackwood,” not out of any sense of formality, but as a shield—a reminder of their titles and the expectations placed on them. It had been a quiet rebellion, but one that had left him both frustrated and deeply impressed. He knew that Eleanor would not bend to society’s expectations, nor would she let herself be diminished by the weight of tradition.

As he turned from the window, his eyes fell upon the sight that had occupied his thoughts all day: Eleanor.

She was standing near the vanity, her figure illuminated by the soft candlelight. She had discarded the formal dress she had worn for breakfast and had opted for something more casual. A simple crop top and jeans clung to her body in all the right ways. She was stunning, undeniably beautiful, and yet there was something else in her appearance that caught Theo’s attention. It wasn’t just the way the fabric hugged her curves or the soft glow of her skin—it was the way she carried herself, free from the constraints of society’s expectations. She was unapologetically herself.

Theo’s heart stirred at the sight of her, his gaze tracking every movement as she turned to face him. Her eyes, a mix of frustration and defiance, met his, and he couldn’t help but smile, despite the tension still lingering from the morning.

“You look breathtaking,” he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her smile in return.

Eleanor’s lips curved upward, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice laced with a quiet sadness. “But I don’t care about being breathtaking anymore. I don’t care about what society expects of me, or what your mother expects of me.”

Theo could see the fire in her eyes, the same fire that had caused her to stand up for herself this morning, even in the face of his mother’s harsh words. She was strong, fierce, and everything he admired. But he also saw the weariness in her gaze, the toll that the pressure of his family’s expectations was taking on her.

“You shouldn’t have to care,” Theo said, his voice low and filled with conviction. He stepped closer to her, his presence like a comforting shield. “You are not some puppet for my family to control. You are my wife, and that means you get to decide who you are, not anyone else.”

Eleanor sighed, her fingers gently brushing the soft fabric of her crop top. “I just want to live freely, Theo. I don’t want to hide behind these ridiculous rules and expectations anymore. I want to wear this,” she gestured to her outfit, “out in public, in the open. I want to walk through the streets of London without feeling like I have to answer to anyone.”

Theo stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “You should wear whatever you want, Eleanor. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. If this is what makes you feel comfortable, then you should wear it. I love you for who you are, not for who society wants you to be.”

Eleanor’s eyes softened at his words, and she stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “You don’t understand, Theo,” she said softly, her voice tinged with frustration. “It’s not just about the clothes. It’s about who I’m supposed to be. The perfect wife, the perfect lady, always proper, always quiet, always smiling. But I’m not that person. And I refuse to be.”

Theo reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek. “I know, Eleanor. And I love you for it.” He paused, his thumb brushing across her skin. “You’re not meant to fit into some mold. You are meant to break it. And I’ll be right here with you every step of the way.”

She looked at him for a long moment, her gaze searching his face for any hint of doubt. But all she saw was unwavering support, a quiet assurance that he was with her, no matter what.

Eleanor let out a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing for the first time that day. “I wish my family could understand that,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Their approval doesn’t matter,” Theo replied, his voice firm. “What matters is that we understand each other. You don’t have to be anything other than what you are for me. And I will always fight for that.”

For a moment, there was silence between them, a comfortable silence filled with mutual understanding. And then, Eleanor smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes, lighting up her entire face.

“You really mean that, don’t you?” she asked softly.

Theo nodded. “With everything I am. You’re not just my wife, Eleanor. You are my equal. And I will always stand by you.”

She reached up, her hand brushing against his cheek as she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. It was tender, full of the love and trust they had built over the past few months. When they pulled away, Eleanor looked up at him, her eyes glinting with a mixture of affection and determination.

“Then let’s show the world who I really am,” she said with a quiet defiance in her voice. “I won’t let anyone tell me what I should be. Not even your mother.”

Theo chuckled, a low sound of approval. “I think that’s the woman I fell in love with.”

Eleanor smirked. “You better get used to it, Theo. I’m not going anywhere.”

For a moment, Theo simply looked at her, his heart swelling with pride. He had always known Eleanor was strong, but now, in this moment, he saw the depths of her strength. She was unapologetically herself, and he loved her all the more for it.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said softly.

With that, the two of them stood together, united in their defiance of the world’s expectations. They didn’t need the approval of anyone else. They had each other, and that was all that mattered.

As the night wore on, they sat together in his chambers, their hands entwined as they talked and laughed. Outside, the world might have been filled with expectations, but within the walls of their private space, they were free to be exactly who they were. And for the first time, it felt like enough.