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Before it had all gone crazy, Leonard had suggested going up to the Somerholm manor and eloping with Lady Rose in order to save her from her arranged betrothal. Of course, that would have meant that he would have had to go against her father’s wishes, putting him at further odds with the Earl of Somerholm.
Eventually, the Earl would have had to accept their marriage in order to restore his daughter’s honor, but he might never forgive Kenneth. Not to mention that Kenneth would have had to leave everything behind for the period they were eloping.
His answer had been a resounding no. Now that it was looking like he was going to lose everything and would literally have nothing to leave behind, the suggestion had begun to have an increased appeal to him.
First, he was going to handle this issue with the bastards and once that was done he would deliberate on whether eloping with Lady Rose was the best option for them both. He couldn’t deny or ignore his love for her any longer. Neither could he deny his need for her, as well.
The first time he’d seen her, he had been drawn to her. However, that night in the garden had been a completely different affair. He’d come close to kissing her so many times. The only reason he had restrained himself was because he didn’t want to overwhelm her and have her running away from him.
And yet the sultry look in her eyes and the supple look of her lips had him abandoning restraint and almost pulling her face to his.
Cupping her face in his hands and planting a kiss on her lips had gone on to plague his thoughts ever since, till it had developed into unbridled desire. However, he had never confessed this to her, not even in their letters. He wasn’t planning to, either.
He chuckled at the memory.
Living as a disowned son with an eloped wife was going to be an interesting experience.
He continued to await Leonard’s arrival, with his thoughts keeping him company.
His mother had come again sometime in the afternoon to try and plead with him one last time. She’d eventually left him in resignation, wishing him the best once more, whichever way this turned out. One thing he already knew, though, was that whether his father went along with his threat or not, his mother was not going to abandon him.
After his mother, Lord Calbrook had come calling as well. Initially, Kenneth had thought it was as a result of the disownment business. Eventually, about five minutes in, he figured that it was a random visit.
“So you disappeared and robbed me of the chance to win over a game of quinze,” Lord Calbrook had said.
“If by winning, you mean losing as much money as you can to me, then by all mean, yes, I robbed you of the chance,” he responded, causing both of them to laugh.
“Well, you left without so much as a good-bye. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, you slipped out with the lie that you were only going to get some air. I see you are still getting air.”
“Oh yes, and I must tell you the air is refreshing.”
They both laughed again. It felt good to Kenneth’s heart to be able to jest and laugh with his friend in spite of all the pressure he was feeling at this point.
“Well, I thought it best to check on you and make sure you are all right. That’s what friends do,” Calbrook said.
“Thank you. I really appreciate the gesture.”
A few minutes later, Calbrook had left and he was back to sitting and waiting for Leonard.
Sometime at night, Leonard eventually returned and sauntered into the study.
“Oh, dear. Glad of you to join me,” Kenneth remarked sardonically, causing Leonard to chuckle.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting. A lot of time was needed to accomplish the mission you sent me on.”
“And? Were you successful? Did you get me the illegitimate children inciting the commoners?” Kenneth asked hopefully.
“I did you one better, My Lord. I got you a complete list, less one,” Leonard responded, before walking and placing a piece of paper in the table.
Kenneth’s eyes were immediately glued to the list even though he noticed there was another piece of paper in Leonard’s hand as the valet stepped back.
As Kenneth’s eyes scanned the names, he realized they were in for some serious trouble.
Some names he recognized from the research Leonard helped him carry out for his bill. Others didn’t ring any bells. However, what was most peculiar were the famous names on the list that Kenneth would never have known were illegitimate children of high society, nor would he even have associated with any form of revolution.
The names of known trouble-makers, yes. But not those of wealthy middle-class members of society.
“You are getting baffled, right?” Leonard joked.
