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Chapter Eleven
Rose sat in front of her dresser as Elsa twisted her hair into a bun and tucked it under a capote.
That was the last piece of clothing added in preparation to meet Lord Rockgonie. He’d finally stopped by as he said he would and she had waited to get dressed until the news came that he had, in fact, arrived.
Since her mother had made her fully aware that she couldn’t protest or renege on her betrothal to the Earl, she could hope to infuriate him by keeping him waiting.
In some way, she hoped that it would also serve as payment to him for agreeing to this proposal without first seeking her consent and for his absence during the ball, which had only contributed further to her humiliation.
If he has any sense, he’ll get furious, leave, and never come back.
Even though she wished it, she also realized how almost impossible that would be. She’d kept him waiting for a little over thirty minutes, she reckoned. Any longer, and she half expected a message to arrive saying that he had left.
Mother will kill me, but at least I’ll be rid of him. Speaking of Mother, where is she?
“All done, My Lady,” Elsa announced, to Rose’s chagrin.
“Are you sure?” she asked expectantly, hoping there was something else to do to prolong the preparation process and not minding that her lady’s maid had interrupted her thoughts.
Her question caused Elsa to chuckle.
“Yes, My Lady. You are ready.”
She sighed and then rose to her feet.
“All right, then. Let us get this over with,” she announced to no one in particular as she used her hands to straighten her gown.
Turning, she nodded once at Elsa and headed toward the door.
Elsa came up behind her as they exited the room and headed onwards to where the Earl of Rockgonie was waiting. By the time they arrived at the stairs, she could hear her father’s voice booming from down the stairs, entertaining Lord Rockgonie.
There was hearty laughter emanating from both parties. They were most likely unaware of how much time had elapsed in their wait for her.
They surely don’t know, because if they did, Father would have disowned me by now.
She paused at the stairs and listened to the discussion for a brief moment before beginning her descent down the stairs.
As she approached, her father’s butler who was standing at the door announced her presence to the two gentlemen in the room.
She walked in and greeted them both.
“You look beautiful this afternoon, Lady Rose,” Lord Rockgonie said.
“Thank you,” she responded simply.
Her father’s face contorted at her response—she did not refer to Lord Rockgonie asMy Lordeven though Rockgonie had usedhertitle.
Lord Rockgonie’s face, on the other hand, remained plain with no reaction whatsoever.
Either he didn’t notice, or he did and doesn’t care.
Whatever the case, her antic had failed to register the desired effect on the Lord.
“She truly is as beautiful as the rumors say, My Lord,” Lord Rockgonie remarked, turning to face her father briefly, before turning back to face her.
This time, she did not bother to say thank you.
“I was just remarking to my lady’s maid on what fine weather we have today. Do you mind taking a stroll with me in the garden?” she asked in a tone that was almost daring him to refuse.
