AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her father’s question reminded her of the unfinished conversation she’d had with Lord Rockgonie yesterday, and how she had felt afterwards.
The fact that her father had even tried to use that to distract her from the current conversation, infuriated her even more.
“Oh, you mean my fake betrothal to Lord Rockgonie? No, Father. That is the furthest thing from my mind right now,” she fired back.
From the corner of her eye once more, she noticed Elsa’s frantic gestures, trying to get her to stop talking. She pitied her lady’s maid. Unfortunately, she was so angry she had lost all control over her emotions.
“Oh, for God’s sake, Rose. Stop this nonsense at once,” her mother railed.
“Why, Mother? Because I am going to get you upset? Because I’m not supposed to speak on such matters? Because I have finally found out that my betrothal to Lord Rockgonie is a sham?” Rose was on a roll and doubted she could get herself to stop now.
“No one even bothered to ask me about this. No one bothered to seek my consent. No one even cares if I’m happy,” Rose railed.
“Enough! You are getting married to Lord Rockgonie and like I have told you before, you better find a way to make peace with it,” her mother shrieked.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Mother, but I am not marrying Lord Rockgonie. I will not be part of such a sham.”
“What did you say?” Lady Somerholm asked in shock.
“You heard me, Mother. I am not marrying Lord Rockgonie. If I’m going to marry anyone at all, it will be Lord Walsrock.”
There was an immediate silence as a result of Rose’s comment. Even though her face remained solidly stern, her darting eyes took in every one’s reaction.
Her mother had been rendered speechless for the first time since Rose could remember. Adam’s shock was more palpable. His gaping mouth and stunned eyes revealed his astonishment. Elsa simply smacked her hand to her forehead in resignation.
Her father, on the other hand, was still.
“What did you say?” Lord Somerholm bellowed.
For some reason, Rose’s courage hadn’t dissipated in spite of her father’s building rage. She went ahead to repeat her earlier statement of marrying Lord Walsrock.
“I see,” Lord Somerholm grunted.
“My Lord…” Lady Somerholm began to say before she was silenced by the raise of the Earl’s hand.
“So you have been messing around with the Marquess? You think you can defy me without consequences? Is that what you are learning from Lord Walsrock?”
“This isn’t about defiance, Father. This is about following my heart,” Rose protested.
“Your heart, right? That is suddenly the excuse to bring shame and embarrassment to this family? Well, that will never happen in my household,” the Earl raged.
“My Lord…” Lady Somerholm tried again to temper her husband’s anger, failing in the process.
“Lord Walsrock may be a Marquess and a future Duke someday, but you will never marry him. Whatever you have built in secret with him is over. You will marry Lord Rockgonie, who I have chosen for you, and that is the end of that matter,” the Earl roared.
“Father…” Rose tried to talk.
“Silence!” Lord Somerholm thundered, sending reverberations all around the room.
Turning to face his wife, he spoke.
“Begin making preparations for a wedding between Lord Rockgonie and our daughter. I want them wedded within three months and I don’t care what it will cost.”
Rose’s mouth dropped in shock as she gasped.
“As for you, I forbid you leaving this house for any activity or receiving any guests except Lord Rockgonie. You will spend the next three months in preparation for your wedding. No child of mine will bring shame and embarrassment to this family, not while I am still breathing.”
Rose was stunned into silence. A tear materialized in her eye and began to slip down her cheek. She stood up and fled the room with Elsa pursuing close behind.
“Rose!” her mother screamed in her wake.
“Let her go,” the Earl thundered.
