Louise could not help but admire his ability to remain calm when it seemed that everything was going wrong. "I do not blame you for kissing Louise, who is to be my fiancée," he said.
"Blame me?" Callum asked, chuckling, "Why would you blame me?"
"I suppose you are right. After all, I am the one who told you to distract Louise by courting her," Felington replied, "now, you do not have to keep her away from me anymore as I want her to be my wife."
Felington turned to Louise then. "It might come as a surprise to you, but Callum only courted you because I asked him to. You have to forgive him."
"Is that so?" Louise asked, indignantly, "because, I, in fact, told Callum to court me in order to help me get better prospects." Louise watched happily as Felington blinked in confusion. "That is right," Louise said, "Callum only played along because I asked him to."
"I am certain Callum was only deceiving you into believing it was your idea," Felington said, turning back toward Callum as though expecting him to agree with him.
"Like Louise said," Callum started, "I only agreed to court her because she asked me to. I never took the deal you offered me, and I have told you time and time again."
"We...Well, it does not matter. The only wise decision for you to make is to accept my marriage proposal," Felington said to Louise.
"And why would I want to do that?" Louise asked.
"Because I am willing to make you my wife and that is something that Callum would never be able to do for you," Felington said in a self-important manner.
"I still have no wish of becoming your wife," Louise insisted.
Felington laughed as he stared at her in surprise. "You would rather stay with a man like Callum who would never make you his wife? Even if he is to overlook his decision to swear off marriage, the Duke would never agree to him marrying you. Callum could only ever make you his mistress, never his wife and the mother of his heir. And yet, I am offering you the chance of becoming my wife, providing a house for you and your mother, and making you the countess who would have the privilege of bearing my heir."
"I would rather be Callum's mistress than be your wife," Louise replied.
Felington stared at her in disbelief for a moment before he spoke. "Then I suppose you would be happy if everyone in thetonlearned that you and Lord Langton were found in a compromising state in his study. I could make the rumor even more interesting by claiming that you both were found unclothed," Felington said, "now, tell me who would want you if that rumor comes out."
"How dare you threaten me?" Louise said, shaking her fingers in Felington's face while also taking several steps toward him.
She was overtaken by anger that all she wanted to do was hurt Felington as much as possible. She winced when Felington held her wrists tightly. "You will do well to think carefully about my proposal. I will give you till tomorrow to give me a response," Felington said.
"Unhand Louise this moment!" Callum said, his eyes blazing with anger.
Louise had never seen him look this angry before but at this moment, Louise was certain Callum would use his fist on Felington if he did not unhand her.
Felington must have realized this too because he dropped Louise's hand. "Callum," Felington said, in a surprisingly friendly tone, "you are my best friend, and I would terribly hate it if we fought. I do not have a grudge against you. All I want is for Louise to accept my marriage proposal."
"If you wish to make Louise do something against her will then, you have a problem with me," Callum said promptly.
"Why do you even care about her anyway?" Felington said, annoyed.
"It is not for you to understand," Callum responded, "now, leave my study and this party before I am forced to get you thrown out."
"Remember Louise," Felington said, "I am your only option."
With that, Felington left the study with Catherine.
The moment they were gone, Louise slumped on a chair and began to sob. "My whole life is ruined. My family would be ruined forever," Louise sobbed.
Callum quickly came to her side and held her against himself. "No, your reputation is not ruined," Callum reassured.
"But it is. I could never marry Felington after everything he has done to me and I know he would make good his threat," she replied.
"You do not have to marry Felington or risk having your reputation ruined, Louise," Callum said, "because I would like to marry you."
Louise looked up at Callum in disbelief. "What are you talking about, Callum?" She asked.
"I want to marry you. I have..."
