Emma and Charles stepped into the room. “We heard cheering,” Emma said. “Did something happen?”
His mother turned towards them. “Your brother and Ellie have entered into a fake engagement to ward off Lord Worthington’s advances,” she explained.
Charles lifted his brow. “Isn’t that a little bold, brother?” he asked.
“No,” Roswell replied. “I thought it was rather ingenious on my part.”
Shifting her gaze towards Ellie, his mother asked, “Did my son pressure you into this decision, my dear?”
Ellie glanced at him before saying, “It did come as rather a surprise, but I do think the plan has some merit.”
His mother looked unconvinced. “What becomes of Ellie once she cries off this engagement?”
“I can assure you that her reputation will not suffer from this arrangement,” Roswell responded.
“How can you be so sure?” his mother pressed.
Roswell offered Ellie a strained smile. “If anything goes wrong, then I will have no choice but to marry her,” he declared in a curt voice.
There was a long silence before Ellie quietly said, “I am not going to force you into marrying me.”
Roswell turned to face her, and his voice softened. “My words came out much harsher than I intended, but I truly don’t believe it will come to that.”
“I hope not,” she murmured.
“Why do you say that?”
Ellie stared at him for a long moment. “I can’t ask you to give up your future for me.”
“You are doing no such thing, especially since this plan of mine will work.”
“I wish I had your confidence,” she said as she stepped back. “If you will excuse me, I wish to be alone.”
Roswell watched as Ellie departed from the room. He had the sudden urge to follow after her, pull her into his arms, and assure her that everything would work out. But he couldn’t do that. For some reason, he knew he would be lying to her.
Charles crossed his arms over his chest. “That was painful to watch, brother.”
Emma nodded. “It was,” she agreed.
“It wasn’t that bad,” he defended.
“Why are you doing this, son?” his mother asked.
“I am trying to keep Ellie safe from Lord Worthington,” he responded, his voice rising.
“Is that the only reason?” she pressed.
Roswell gave her a puzzled look. “What are you insinuating?”
Giving him a pointed look in return, she asked, “Do you care for the girl?”
“I do,” he hesitated, not ready to confess his feelings, “but only as a friend.”
His mother bobbed her head. “Well, you answered my question, and we shall accept that.” She turned towards Emma and Charles. “Won’t we?”
“We will,” they replied in unison.
Roswell lifted his brow. “Is this interrogation over?” he asked. “I’m afraid I have quite a bit of work to do before I leave for the House of Lords.”
