even bear to think of what happened between them. It was Leon’s fault. It angers her every time when she thinks back to
that day. She just…she just wanted to strangle him! Yet she knew she’ll
never have the heart.
Their love was one of a fairytale.
She still couldn’t understand why it ended the way it did. Why did Leon do that to her?
Was she not good enough?
Or was it because she’s too–
A loud crash outside the carriage took away her thoughts, and she
looked out the window to see what was going on.
“Did we hit something?” Susannah asked, looking out of the
other window.
“Just a little rough turn, m’lady,” the footman answered from
above. “Somebody was heading fast towards us and I was trying to
make way.”
“Who was it?” Rose looked about to see a galloping horse
charging forward, and tried to make out the feature of the man on top
of it.
“Lord Lansing!” Rose exclaimed, waving her gloves at him. “Lady Rose!” He came to a rough halt beside her window with
his horse and reach out his hand. “I’ve come to sweep you away, my
love.”
Rose smiled and took his hand, feeling a sense of déjà vu. “Great, you’re going to climb out of the window and leave me,”
Susannah pouted. “What a great friend you are.”
Rose laughed and turned back to her. “I told you he’s charming.” Susannah rolled her eyes and gave Rose a dismissive wave.
“Whatever, then. Just leave me be.”
“I love you, Susy.” Rose gave her a brief kiss on the cheek and let
his lordship pull her out onto his horse.
“Did you miss me today?” Lord Lansing asked, giving her a kiss
on the cheek as they turned and rode back down the path.
“More than you’ll ever know,” she answered, sliding her hands to
hold his on the reign.
Everything felt so familiar.
“Well, I hope you’ve found the perfect dress for our wedding.” “Uh…about that…it was rather difficult,” Rose answered. “I was
thinking that we’ll go together on a day you’re free to Florette’s and
pick the dress out together.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Lord Lansing agreed.
“How was your day today?”
“Quite gloomy without you,” he answered, pressing a kiss to her
neck.
“You’re such a joke,” Rose laughed, and then caught herself. Everything they’re doing now seems to have happened before.
She had experienced it.
Not with Lord Lansing, no. It was with someone else.
Oh, thanks Susannah so much for ruining everything!
Susannah rise up to peek out the window at Rose and his lordship and stuck her tongue out at them, shaking her head as she sat back down.
“Stupid drunken arse of a marquess,” she cursed as she twiddles her thumbs. “I can’t believe my friend would fall for such an unfaithful man like you. She has no idea what she’s getting into.”
She thought back to Leon.
Mr. Leon Heartily.
He was the best catch of London.
Rose was so lucky to have caught his eyes out of the rest of the
ladies.
If only he had explained himself and not do such a foolish thing and left. He was a really nice gentleman. Better than his lordship even if he lacks a title.
He would still have made Rose a fine husband.
An ideal husband that every lady will want, actually. Oh, she was so looking forward to attend their wedding, but…but
Leon just had to ruin that opportunity.
Susannah was angry with him at first until he sought her out and told her the truth before he left. He had made her vow to keep it a secret from Rose. She had agreed and concealed it for ten years. At times, she just wanted to burst out everything. At least then Rose would think twice before agreeing to wed that marquess and let him–
Susannah shook her head to wipe off the thought and closed her eyes, hoping one day that Rose would see what she’s about to lose.
Stanford Hall
Trafalgar Square
“Bless you, again,” said the young Miss Delilah Stanford as she sat and stares dreamily at the charming Mr. Leon Heartily. “Your tenth sneeze, if I’m correct.”
“I haven’t been counting, but thank you,” Leon answered, taking out his pocket watch to check the time. “When is your father going to be available?”
“Yes, I’m growing rather hungry,” his younger brother, Sheik, groaned from the small stool he had sat on to warm up by the fireplace. “When is he going to be available?”
“In half an hour or so,” Delilah answered, her eyes fixed on Leon the whole time.
Leon turned away and run his fingers through his wet hair. They had been caught up in a storm as they were making their way to London from