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The attention was immediately directed at the jilted groom-to-be, to see his reaction.
Lord Rockgonie simply started smiling as he walked over to where Lady Anna stood beside her mother.
“I agree, Lord Walsrock, that the engagement cannot happen as I also am engaged to another,” he announced. “I am engaged to Lady Anna.” He repeated the same gesture that Kenneth had done with Rose.
The room was frozen, as no one said a word.
“What is this nonsense?” The Duke thundered, his voice carrying across the room and making everyone shudder. “I demand an explanation,” he announced, with all the authority and influence he wielded. The Earl of Somerholm remained silent, a look of abysmal shock on his face.
Kenneth had been expecting that reaction and on cue, he started walking toward the Duke, taking Rose along with him.
“This is not nonsense, Father. I am in love with Lady Rose and I very well cannot stand by and watch her married off to someone against our will. Whatever the consequences, I will gladly bear them, as long as I remain bonded to this beautiful lady who has captured my heart for the rest of our lives,” he responded as he presented Rose to his father.
“Your Grace, I have been in love with Lady Anna for the past twelve years. My heart belongs to none other but her and I intend to keep it that way for as long as we both shall live,” Lord Rockgonie said from behind him. According to the plan, he and Lady Anna had made their way toward the Duke during Kenneth’s announcement.
They definitely had a lot riding on the Duke’s outburst and thankfully it had come as anticipated.
The room remained frozen in silence as everyone waited for a reaction from either the Duke or the Earl, who was visibly upset at the embarrassment.
The reaction came from two unlikely sources, the Duchess and Lady Somerholm.
Both ladies approached Kenneth and Rose and enveloped them in a tight embrace. A slow cheer and ovation began to spread across the room. With their gesture, they had accepted the admission of their children.
Lady Anna’s mother had also walked behind them and embraced Lord Rockgonie and Lady Anna. Kenneth could have sworn that he heard her whisper,‘Welcome to the family, finally,’to Lord Rockgonie.
Kenneth chuckled and returned his gaze to his father who had still not reacted.
A slow smile began to spread on his father’s lips. A nod from the Duke was all that was needed, and he knew that this battle had been won.
He turned to look at the Earl of Somerholm who simply drained his champagne flute.
When their eyes made contact, he read the words that had formed on the Lord’s lips.
Congratulations! I will never forgive you for this.
It was a brief but clear moment which was interrupted when the Duke turned to face Lord Somerholm.
“I guess this makes us in-laws after all.” The Duke laughed and took the Earl’s hands.
The Earl’s response wasn’t as clear as the noise that was currently rising, swallowed it up. Kenneth knew that the smile on his face wasn’t genuine, though.
He chuckled as he turned back to face his betrothed. Their reputations might have been tarnished but he knew he had finally won something no one on earth could give him—the freedom to be with the lady who had captured his heart.
“I love you,” he said to her.
“I love you, too,” she responded as the music started back up.
