All the Things You Never Knew - By Angealica Hewley Page 0,41

be back in a fortnight or two.”

“That’s way too long,” Leon replied, rubbing the side of his head.

“He said he will make it if we have any emergency,” Longsword added. “Besides, aren’t we going to take one step at a time to obliterate that marquess?”

Leon thought about it for a moment and replied, “I guess.” He still hasn’t explained everything to Rose to get her to understand his intentions; slowing down the mission a bit won’t hurt as long as he knows where his target was.

“So, what to do today?” Longsword asked. “Any plan?”

“Plan?” Leon had thought of going back to explain everything to Rose, and this time finish it before leaving. Instead of saying so, he just shook his head. “Nothing at the moment.”

“I’m thinking I should return to Somerset for a couple of days to check on my estate,” Longsword said after a while. “Since you still have to go through the ‘amorous’ process of your mission, I figure it should be fine.”

“Of course,” Leon nodded. “And besides, you are an earl after all. A bastard like me can’t be keeping you around.”

“You are not a bastard,” Longsword declined. “Technically, yes; but in truth, no.”

“And to think I’ve been calling Lansing a bastard all along when I’m the real one,” Leon laughed. “He can throw it back in my face.”

“And you can extend your fist to his in return if he dares,” Longsword put in. “You are not what you are known to be.”

Leon just shook his head. “You have no idea.”

“I don’t need ideas; I just know,” Longsword smiled. “Anyway,” he went on changing the subject. “If it’s fine with you I’ll be off to Somerset by noon and returning back in a day or two.”

“Do what you have to do,” Leon said, pouring himself another glass of water. “Just keep your ears open.”

Longsword merely laughed and nodded. “I will.”

Leon feels a little insecure to have his two companions going away, but he would handle whatever he can.

First on his list…Rose.

Dawson House

The Marquess of Lansing stood rather nervously as Rose approaches him and tugged uneasily at his cravat.

You should be afraid, you rotten lord, Rose thought to herself as she sat down on the couch across from where he stood. She had expected this.

Lord Lansing had called upon her early that morning, most predictably to apologize. Rose isn’t going to give in that easily if that’s what he’s planning.

Lord Lansing cleared his throat and with a formal greeting bow, sat down across from her. “I’m guessing you’re still infuriated by yesterday’s…uh…incident.”

Rose merely looked at him and scoffed. “You wish. I’ve forgotten it entirely overnight.” And she did if not fully, for she has other things to worry about. Whatever his lordship did is not really at her interest or concern.

“That’s good,” Marcus said, looking more relieve. She would sure like to throw a tantrum but sees no use for it.

“I have to make it clear that us men needs to go out elsewhere to release ourselves since we can’t stay trapped in as a celibate until we get leg-shackled,” he went on saying. “I’m hoping you will under–”

“I get it,” Rose answered. She doesn’t want to waste time on such a topic.

“Even better then!” the marquess cheered. It seems he wasn’t really into apologizing but trying to make the situation better with what he thinks to be a reasonable statement. “So I’m guessing our wedding would still go–”

“No,” Rose cut in with a shook of her head. “Our wedding is to be put off.”

“What–Why so?” he asked, eyes widened in disbelief. “We had the invitations made.”

“I don’t think it’s the right time,” she answered, though that’s not really the reason. “I figure we should wait… a couple more months. I’ll ask Susy to send in apologetic letters to the recipients.”

“Because of yesterday, isn’t it?”

Quite obviously, she wanted to say, but shook her head. “No. Just a change of mind.”

“Rose,” he said, reaching over to take her hand.

Rose pulled back and said, “No.” She is not going to let him touch her. Sure she had liked him before and allowed him a hug or two with a kisses here and there, but now it‘s the total opposite.

“I know I made you lost your trust in me, but yesterday the Duke of Hargate came and…well, he made an offer that I can’t deny,” Lord Lansing explained.

“An offer you can’t deny, huh?” Rose raised a questionable eyebrow at him. “Too dally with some harlot? I think you made that choice