"You are not going anywhere," Thomas said, his voice calm and collected. "Not until I get what I want."
"How will this mad plan even work?" Rose asked and her voice trembled with anger.
"You will see," Thomas said with a sly smile. "We are traveling to London tomorrow."
"London?" Rose's brow wrinkled. "Why must we go to London?"
"I need someone to help me change the opinions of theton, someone who is intelligent, beautiful, and will make a good impression on society. If I cannot do this, my reforms have no chance to be approved. Surely, your cooperation is a small price to pay for the greater good?"
Rose felt her heart racing as she tried to process what Thomas was saying. She was just a pawn in his game to gain approval, a means to an end. Yet, she understood why he did it. She was torn between longing for freedom and wanting to help others. He had placed her in a horrible position, and she could not win. "And what happens after?" Rose asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "When your plan is over, what becomes of me?"
Thomas shrugged nonchalantly. "We will worry about that when the time comes," he said with a smirk. "But I promise that you will have your freedom."
"Fine. I shall pretend to be your betrothed," Rose said.
At least until the carriage hits the city streets of London where I shall immediately make my escape.
"Really?" Thomas's brows shot up at her acquiescence. "You shall help me?"
Rose said nonchalantly, "Yes. You did me a kindness, and I shall return the favor."
A broad grin split his face and the happiness tugged at Rose's heart a little. She pushed it aside. Handsome or not, the duke was a brute. She would continue this farce until she could safely get away. After that, she would make sure she was never in a man's clutches again.
And it is also important that I never let him kiss me again.
Chapter Five
William paced back and forth outside the privy, growing increasingly impatient with each passing moment. He had been waiting there for what felt like an eternity, and he was starting to get worried. Suddenly, he had an epiphany.
"Good Lord, Rose has been in there for far too long!" he exclaimed, smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand.
He approached the door and started pounding on it with his fist. "Rose, are you all right? Open up!" he called out. When there was no response, his concern grew even greater.
Without any hesitation, he stepped back and kicked the door with all his might. It splintered open with a loud crack, and William stumbled inside, panting heavily.
The room was empty. The only sounds were the creaking of the floorboards and the fluttering of a bird perched on thewindowsill. William was dumbfounded. He spun around in circles, taking in the empty room and the open window.
"Where could she have gone?" he muttered to himself, scratching his head. He walked over to the window and peered out, taking in the view of the lush, rolling countryside beyond.
William could not believe his sister had escaped from the castle, and he had no idea where she might be. William's face paled. The scandal! He dashed down the hallway and outside. As his feet hit the ground outside, William immediately sounded the alarm, shouting for the servants to gather. The gardener and his assistant approached him, their faces filled with worry.
"We spotted Lady Rose," the gardener said, his eyes darting nervously. "She was riding away on a horse, heading toward the road."
William's heart sank. He had failed in his duty to protect his sister, and now she was gone. He knew he had to act quickly and salvage this wedding. He gathered the servants and set about organizing a search party.
"We need to find her," he told them, his voice filled with determination. "She is in danger out there, and we have to bring her back."
The servants nodded in agreement, and they quickly set about gathering horses. William could feel the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. He knew he had to find his sister and bring her home safely.
As he mounted the saddle of one of the horses, his heart sank. His mother and father were hurrying toward him.
"William, what is going on? Where is your sister? The groom is furious." His father looked around and scowled.
"Mother, Father, I have some bad news," William said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Rose has run away."
His parents looked at each other in disbelief. "What do you mean, run away?" the countess asked, her voice rising in panic.
"Yes, I was waiting outside the privy for her and when she did not come out, I broke down the door," William explained, his face turning red with embarrassment. "But she was nowhere to be found. The servants saw her riding away on a horse."
