AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Joshua blew out a heavy breath. “Well, it’s in theGazettenow, so you’ll struggle to back out.”
“No, but back out I shall.” Benedict growled. He got to his feet, tossing aside the paper. “I don’t know who to confront first. Grandmother, or this poor Miss Louisa Parsons.”
Joshua snorted. “I think you’ve forgotten who you really need to talk to. Miss Wyre.”
Benedict swallowed hard. “Do… do you think she’s read the engagement notice?”
Joshua winced. “I mean, not if she doesn’t read theGazette. Unfortunately, just about everyone reads theGazette.”
Benedict cursed. “No time to waste, then.”
He got to his feet, not bothering to straighten or change the clothes he’d slept in and hurried past Joshua.
“Better take an umbrella!” Joshua shouted after him.
Outside, the rain began to patter against the window. There was no thunder, not yet.
Benedict opened the front door, and stood there, staring at the rain. The old fear clenched inside him, and he longed to dash back inside and slam the door.
But there was nothing for him back inside. Rosaline was out there, through the rain.
Benedict closed his eyes and stepped outside. Fat, cool drops of water pattered onto his head and shoulders, soaking through the rich material of his coat.
Water began to trickle down Benedict’s forehead and temple, but nevertheless he began to run.
The streets were slick and wet with rain, and Benedict slipped several times. But he kept going, ignoring strange looks from pedestrians huddled under umbrellas as he raced past.
He skidded into the run-down street where the Wyres lived, taking a brief moment to regret that he hadn’t thought to order the carriage.
Walking up the steps towards the Wyres’ townhouse door was a small figure, hunched over against the rain, a basket hanging from her arm.
Benedict barely thought. He shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Rosaline!”
The figure froze, glancing over her shoulder. She let the basket drop to the ground, scattering some vegetables over the wet ground.
Benedict had a moment to wonder just how poor the Wyres were to send out one of their daughters for the shopping, but then all mundane concerns fled from his mind.
Rosaline took a few shaky steps toward him, and Benedict moved forward to meet her.
“Ihear that congratulations are in order.” Rosaline said, her voice tremulous.
“Iam not engaged, Rosaline. I’ve never even met the woman. My grandmother wanted me to marry her, and she must have put the notice in the paper without my permission. I swear to you, Rosaline, I don’t know this woman. I don’t want to know her. I love you, Rosaline.”
Her head snapped up at that, eyes wide. Her hood had slipped back, and the rain trickled down her face, plastering loose strands of hair to her forehead.
“What?” she whispered.
“Ilove you, Rosaline.” Benedict took one of her damp hands in his. “I didn’t tell you. I ought to have told you, but I just felt as though… well, I didn’t think. I suppose I was afraid I would lose you. I know that you said you wanted to end our relationship, and if you still think that, then I will respect it. But let me tell you, Rosaline, I hope you change your mind. I want to marry you. I think we can have a life together; I truly do.”
Rosaline blinked water out of her eyes. She could hardly tear her eyes away from his face, but there was a delicate frown line between her brows.
“But Benedict, we’re too different. How could we work together? That gossip column…”
“They’re fools, all of them. I have enough wealth and power for us both. If it’s a title you want…”
“Idon’t want a title!”
