Betrothed to the earl

chapter 5

Rose heard the distress voices of the maids after waking up from a deep slumber, ''He? The one. today?'' was all she heard but Rose had a talent knowing when danger was near and she could feel something was happening and putting bits of the puzzle together she came to conclusion bloody hell! No way in hell.

She closed her eyes praying to anything that this must be a joke. Her aunt came last week, and Rose did not need to be a genius to figure what her fathers plan was, he knew how close she was to her aunt, the sister of her mother, she was there when no one else was and she could talk to her with stuff she never could share with anyone.

She recalled the conversation she shared

''Aunty.'' Rose sobbed and was pulled into the warm embrace. home, she felt at home with her aunt than anywhere else even her house.

Her aunt Elizabeth was now not thousands of miles away but here like always when she needed her the most, ''Did father contact you?'' She wanted the truth out as she glanced at her aunt who only chuckled, ''Do not hate your father my little one, even though it can seem hard he wants the best for you only'' She smiled and just looking at her aunt who resembled her mother like an identical twin made rose wonder if her mother agreed.

''I find that hard to believe, I mean what kind of father would not only find a man for me to marry but signed me off my birth?'' Rose scoffed and just taking that topic up makes her blood boil, Elizabeth was quiet for far to long making Roses eyes snap at her, ''You knew?'' she whispered feeling bewilderment

Elizabeth opened her mouth and closed it making rose sit up straight and she told herself to give her aunt the benefit of the doubt, ''I- I would not say I knew everything but when your mother found out she was mad no she did not speak with your father for a long time, she never forgave him for signing those papers, but your father was in a situation that was very hard to slip out from, I am in no way trying to say it was the right thing to do but please know there it more to the story than signing you off It was not like that I can guarantee'' Her aunt finished off and Rose knew her mother would never allow this, how could she when she did not like the obedience that came with marriage?

Rose knew her aunt never wanted to hurt her but it did when she kept a huge secret from her, ''I- I what would you do in my shoes aunty? I have things I want to persuade and do in my life, I know it all is impossible when I marry'' she said miserably

''My dear your mother did everything while being married, she traveled everywhere ,marriage becomes a prison if you let it, no one can change you if your not willing to change'' Her aunt smiled and that would change the perspective for her but rose pointed out the fact, ''Father was in love with mother he could not risk her leaving him that is why she had her freedom which is entirely different here'' Rose huffed.

Her aunt nodded knowing that, but smiled smugly ''Yes but did you also know your parents did not marry because of love? She still had her freedom because your father was occupied with his work to focus on her whereabouts love came later In the picture''

Something clicked in her mind, ''So you're telling me that since the man I am getting married to  is a titled man he has too much on his hands to care about me?''

Her aunt nodded, ''Precisely, and remember one thing dear no lady with the Barford blood obeys a man''

Their talk continued and suddenly Rose pictured the marriage with no picture of obeyance and being under the noose of her future husband was a relievement.

And rose also recalled striding into her fathers study after her aunt left and telling him that she will marry the bloody pearl or earl, The duke indeed thought bringing her aunt was a splendid idea after all her daughter changed her absurd thought of not marrying. He could not be happier, Rose hide her smirk if only her father knew the intentions behind the change of her thoughts.