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Chapter Sixteen
Kenneth was in an excited mood as he drove his curricle down to Lady Christie’s birthday party.
This was probably the first time in his life he had been this excited to attend a ball. The reason lay in the fact that he was going to see Rose again.
It had been a week since their midnight garden adventure. They had continued corresponding as promised, which had not only helped to keep them abreast of information in each other’s lives, but had also helped to grow their love.
She told him what the Earl of Rockgonie had said about his intentions, or lack thereof, for marrying her. It had given him a little hope but it hadn’t erased the problem of how to get her out of the betrothal.
She also eventually told him when her father had agreed that she could accompany the Earl to Lady Christie’s birthday party. He’d been elated at the chance of getting to see her again and had set about getting things ready for the day, including getting his own invitation to the birthday party.
Now the day had come and he was back to being early to balls he was attending.
With regards to the uprising, Leonard was already making headway with securing the friendships of the key instigators and in the process of securing a gathering for Kenneth to meet them.
The Duke had not made any more mention of disowning him for the time being. It seemed everything was on the up and up.
He arrived at the manor and joined the long line of carriages that were waiting to drop their patrons. He didn’t mind the wait and spent the time admiring the procession in front of him.
When it was his turn and he had gotten down, he could have sworn that he saw a hint of surprise on the face of the Master of Ceremonies who announced his arrival.
“The Most Honorable Kenneth Marquess of Walsrock!” The announcer thundered, causing everyone’s attention in line to fall on him.
He smiled as he walked in and immediately began looking for either Rose or Lord Rockgonie.
Rose had specifically said she hadn’t revealed his identity to Lord Rockgonie but had said she was accompanying him. If he found Lord Rockgonie first, who was taller and would be easier to find, Rose was surely not far behind.
He continued to look through the crowd, ignoring the attempts of some to interrupt him.
Finally, he spotted Rose standing in the corner alone. The same feeling he’d felt when he saw her for the first time at her ball, washed over him anew.
It only took a brief pause before he began moving toward her. He had to be careful, though, now that they were in public. Any move he made was being watched keenly by the whole of London. He had to be as subtle as he could possibly be, knowing that news would most definitely reach her father that they had talked at the party.
Where is the Earl of Rockgonie?
It registered once again that Rose was standing alone and without company.
Rose herself was shifting uncomfortably where she stood. Her discomfort at standing alone was apparent to him even from where he was. A smile formed on his lips.
“Lady Rose,” he exclaimed softly when he arrived beside her.
“Lord Walsrock.” She smiled and was instantly at ease. “How good of you to join us at this party. I was wondering how long you were going to keep us waiting,” she smirked.
Us? So Rockgonie is around then.
“Allow me a moment. The party hasn’t even started yet,” he joked back. “And where is your companion, Lord Rockgonie?”
“Right here.” Lord Rockgonie’s voice came from behind him.
He turned to see him standing there.
“Lord Rockgonie,” Kenneth said.
“Lord Walsrock,” Lord Rockgonie replied.
“Isn’t it a surprise to see you at such functions?” Kenneth joked.
“I got tired of writing rejection and apology letters,” Lord Rockgonie retorted sarcastically.
