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Chapter Eighteen
Rose sat smiling in the gazebo at Lord Rockgonie’s manor. The reason for her smile was Kenneth, who at this moment had stepped down from his curricle and was making haste toward her.
It had been two weeks since Lady Christie’s birthday party and things between them had progressed nicely, thanks in no small measure to Lord Rockgonie’s assistance.
First, a week after the party, Lord Rockgonie had prevailed on her father to allow her come visiting at his manor where he lived alone. It hadn’t been difficult in any way, seeing as Lord Somerholm was consumed with eliminating any memory or the thought of any contact with Kenneth from his daughter’s mind.
The Earl of Somerholm had acceded to the request. However, in order to make sure Rose’s reputation wasn’t affected, Elsa had been directed to go along with her, acting in the capacity of a chaperone.
Second, Kenneth had sneaked into the manor every day since the arrangement began, letting them spend time together in secret.
It had been a week of bliss for her as she had waltzed and cooed in the arms of her lover without fear of discovery. Kenneth had embraced her wholeheartedly, letting her discover parts of him she didn’t know existed.
The arrangement had caused their relationship to blossom and she couldn’t remember a time in her life when she had been happier.
“My Love! Diamond of the first water,” Kenneth addressed her as soon as he stepped into the gazebo, causing her to blush.
The difference between when he said it and when Adam said it, was in the genuineness of the statement and the way it made her feel.
“My Lord,” Elsa said from behind Rose, as the lady’s maid curtsied and left them. This had been Elsa’s routine from the beginning of the week.
“There seems to be a spring in your step, Kenneth,” Rose teased when they were finally alone.
“Why wouldn’t there be? The opportunity to spend time with you is enough motivation to get out of bed every morning,” he replied as he came to sit beside her.
He pulled her close and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Her eyes closed shut from the action as she took in a whiff of him in her breath.
“You smell nice, as always,” she said as her eyes blinked open.
She found Kenneth staring at her with a coy smile on his lips. Without responding, he lowered his lips to hers and claimed them in a kiss.
“I see you love birds have begun again,” Lord Rockgonie said from behind them, causing them to pause.
It was a rare occurrence for Lord Rockgonie to interfere in their courting moments. He simply received Rose, who always arrived first, and left both of them to their devices.
Rose turned first to face the direction Lord Rockgonie’s voice had come from. The smile on her face evaporated instantly as soon as she noticed he wasn’t alone.
She was instantly alert and getting up to her feet, causing Kenneth’s eyes to follow in the same direction, as he wondered what she had seen. Unlike her, the look on Kenneth’s face had been more of surprise than nervousness or confusion.
“Take it easy, Lady Rose. I would like to introduce you to someone special.” Lord Rockgonie’s voice was soothing and reassuring.
Her nervousness at being discovered by a new party gave way to confusion.
She knew of the Lady in Lord Rockgonie’s company even though they had never been introduced. Tales of Lady Anna Corington were well documented in London’s gossip circles as the old lady who had stayed unmarried in spite of all the advances from suitors in her glory days.
Of course, Lady Anna wasn’t as old as the tales portrayed, but that didn’t stop Rose from wondering why Lord Rockgonie had brought someone new into their secret. It was London, after all, and thetonwere familiar with themselves to a certain extent.
The lady in question had most certainly seen her kissing Kenneth and short of a miracle, there was no way news wouldn’t begin circulating.
“Lady Rose Vaughan, Lord Walsrock, I would like you both to meet the love of my life, Lady Anna Corington,” Lord Rockgonie said simply, as he tugged his companion closer to his side.
Even though Rose had heard him clearly, her brain was still muddled in trying to interpret his words. It wasn’t until the smiling intruder walked from his side and approached her, that her mind made sense of what had been said.
Oh! Lord Rockgonie’s lover.
“Lady Rose? It is a pleasure to meet you,” Lady Anna said as she arrived in front of her.
“Would you gentlemen please give us a moment? I’ll like to take a stroll with Lady Rose,” Lady Anna said, turning to face the Lords.
