Betrothed to the earl

Chapter 9

"Your dismissed" The earl told curtly at Lord Clifford who announced Lady Rose will arrive any moment.

He knew that, he counted the days, hours.

But he did his best to not show it, suddenly his sisters strode in his study something that they usually don't do so he stopped his papers mid air watching the glimmer of excitement on their faces, Nicholas felt relieved his siblings was nothing but happy and delightful when he announced he will be married, "Oh won't she look splendid with a gown so huge—" Lorelei dreamingly said and started even twirling, Stacy added, "Oh a pink one!"

Nicholas leaned back observing his sisters imagination with amusement, thinking she indeed would look gorgeous.

"Brother, I cant wait— she will be our older sister i always wished for a older sister" Lorelei smiled and sat at one of the stone cold chairs, "What more do you girls imagine" He was actually interested and paid no attention to his work.

How could he not? Rose was the perfect picture of the person his sisters would love, so colorful and not caring of a thing, she did not follow the rules and was rebellious— heavens he came to thought what kind of influence she will have on his siblings, they might dare to disobey him with her presence in this house.

But Nicholas was more glad than worried, "Can't she live in my bedchamber" Stacy asked hopefully making the earl clear his throat his cheek turning into a deeper shade remembering how he told the maid to make sure his bedchamber is neat as she shall live in his bedchamber, before Nicholas could answer Lorelei snorted, "Don't be ridiculous Stacy, she is twice your age and more"

Stacy sulked, "You can't have her either than," She glared at Lorelei and it was high time that Nicholas said, "Don't worry she will not share bedchamber with none of you, now let us discuss your manners" He changed topic smoothly which earned an unpleasant grump from the girls.

Rose was in a state that people would call nervousness, but she never usually felt that way. She was a forward speaking person and could start conversations by rambling about how the sun spins around earth, so why in the world did it feel like her heart would bounce of her body any second when she imagined coming to his house.

As the carriage rolled she never wanted the road to end, "Lukas can you slowdown we don't have to hurry" she muttered.

Lukas met her distressed look, "My lady we are already late, I believe the household is waiting for you"

She groaned, "I am not the queen of England my presence is not important, now please slow down the horse"

Lukas listen to her and slowed down the stallion, "As you wish my lady"

Rose breathed in and out reminding herself exactly where she hide her pocket knife, when they eventually came the destination it was dark and gloomy outside

They must've been on the road for more than hours than they should be, "I believe we have arrived my lady" Lukas announced as Rose poked her head out the carriage seeing a huge castle, this could no way be a house.. it was a mansion.

She would get lost in this place and there would be no way of finding her, the thought brought a pleased smile to her face, but it were not for long as someone hurriedly approached them, "My lady.. sir," the woman did a fully curtsy not realizing Lukas is a footman, his awkward glance made Rose giggle with laughter, "Hello I'm Rose Hamilton" she smiled at the kind looking woman who must be a maid, "A pleasure to meet you my lady the earl thought you guys were stuck in the street that is why the earl is not here to greet you" The woman explained but Rose was in confusion

"The earl is where?" She asked out of curiosity, "To fetch you of course, Lord St. James took the horse thinking you guys were troubled"

When the woman finished those words Rose glanced up at Lukas who were quiet, she could imagine him telling her explain to me exactly why he is cruel,