Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

T he moment they all gathered in the parlor next to the ballroom, Agnes flocked to Caroline's side. She slipped her arm through her friend's and found her shaking with fear in her eyes. She knew what was going to happen.

That was the main reason Agnes thought it best that they do this reveal in private. An announcement to the ton was likely to risk the wrath of the earl and public embarrassment to Caroline, which Agnes didn't think she would be able to withstand right now.

Though the look of utter rage and shame on the earl and countess' faces might have made it a little worth it.

Agnes didn't say anything to Caroline. She guided her over to one of the chaise lounges and they both sat. Agnes grasped Caroline's hand tightly in hers to lend her strength. Caroline gripped Agnes' hand so tightly it felt as if it might make her hand go numb.

The others arrived in twos. Paul and Christopher found each other on the way and entered together. Christopher looked a little apprehensive while Paul simply seemed bemused. Behind them was Mary and Solomon, who made it no secret that they hadn't a clue why they were being asked to step away from the ball on such short notice. Mary tried peppering Agnes with questions but Agnes refused to answer any of them.

Lord and Lady Reeds arrived five minutes after, both clearly irritated. Lady Reeds huffed her way to the sofa while Lord Reeds stood behind her with his arms crossed and a deep scowl on his face.

The last to arrive were Johnathan and the dowager duchess. Agnes hadn't even been aware that the dowager duchess had arrived at the ball. She was dressed rather elegantly in a cream-colored gown, dripping in jewelry. She looked more alive than Agnes had ever seen her. Even as she made her way over to sit next to Christopher, she moved with far more vigor.

Agnes met eyes with Johnathan as he made his way to the hearth. It was brief, but told her everything she needed to know. He was ready to lay it all out in the open.

"I'm sure you are all wondering why I have asked to meet with you on such short notice," Johnathan began, his voice low but commanding. Even with the hum of music coming from the other room, he could easily be heard. "There is something important I wish to tell you all."

"This had better not be what I think it is," Lord Reeds growled from his spot behind the sofa.

Johnathan met his heated glare unflinchingly. "It is, Lord Reeds. I did tell you of my intentions beforehand and I have no reason to go back on my word now."

"You cannot!" Lady Reeds screeched, shooting to her feet. "What will happen to her if you do?"

"Nothing," Johnathan pressed. "I am certain she will be just fine."

"Could someone explain what is going on here?" Solomon spoke up, sounding just a tad irritated.

Johnathan nodded, drawing in a deep breath as if he was trying to center himself. "I shall be blunt then. I will not be marrying Miss Caroline. And my brother will not be marrying Miss Agnes."

"What?" Mary gasped.

"Like hell you aren't!" Lord Reeds bellowed. He rounded the sofa, marching to Johnathan in quick, angry strides. Without thinking, Agnes shot to her feet, heart in her throat. But before she could take another step, Christopher was already slipping in between Johnathan and Lord Reeds, putting a hand on the earl's chest to ward him off.

"Now, my lord," Christopher said calmly, his voice laced with ice. "There is no need for curses in front of the ladies. Nor is there any need for violence."

"Out of my way!" Lord Reeds barked, knocking Christopher's hand aside. "I shan't let this insult stand! We had an agreement!"

"That we did," Johnathan responded. To his credit, he sounded calm, unperturbed. Meanwhile, Agnes was trembling with the urge to march right up to the earl and knock him down a peg. "And for breaking that agreement, my lord, I do apologize. Sincerely. It is not honorable of me to go back on my word."

"If you know you have done such a wrong then you know precisely what you must do to correct it," Lady Reeds spoke up. She shot to her feet as well, as if she had half a mind to join her husband in the incoming fray.

Johnathan met her eyes and shook his head. "I had every intention of marrying Miss Caroline. But that was before I fell in love with someone else."

Silence met his words. Only the music of the ballroom wafted in to disturb the quiet. Agnes watched as everyone turned their attentions to her and she met their eyes one by one with her chin raised. Perhaps she should have wondered why everyone so quickly assumed that it was her but she didn't question it in the moment.

"And I love him," she told them. "We intend to get married."

"What?" Mary gasped, jumping to her feet. Agnes couldn't tell if she was upset or simply shocked. "How could I not have seen this? Oh, but it all makes sense now! You two were always next to each other even though it should have been Lord Christopher with Agnes and His Grace with Caroline. I had only assumed that you two had formed a friendship but…oh dear, how could I have been so blind? I will have to sharpen my skills if I am to make a match with Paul and Miss Rosemarie."

"Mother, please," Paul whined, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I do not see what she and I have anything to do with this situation."

"You two have everything to do with this situation," Mary protested. "I did not notice that my only daughter was falling in love with someone else when it was happening right under my nose. And we were about to let her marry someone else. Oh!" She whirled to Christopher. "My lord, do you…"

Christopher raised both hands, shaking his head. "I am relieved, to be honest. I was not quite ready to be married."

To Agnes' surprise—and everyone else's it seemed— the dowager duchess spoke next. "This is good. You all seem to be in agreement with this arrangement." She looked over at the seething earl and countess and added, "Well, almost everyone."

"I do not care who claims to be in love with whom," Lord Reeds stated vehemently to Johnathan. "You shall marry Caroline and that is the end of that."

"You cannot very well force her down the aisle," Agnes said. She reclaimed her spot on the chaise lounge next to Caroline, taking her hand again. Caroline was as white as a sheet, but the trembling had stopped.

Lord Reeds turned his blazing eyes to Agnes. "She is my ward. I can do whatever I damn well please."

Agnes glared at him but the retort that had rushed to the tip of her tongue didn't take flight when Johnathan said, "I ask you again, Lord Reeds, that you remain civil."

"Civil?" Lord Reeds bellowed. "You ask me to remain civil when you have made my niece a veritable spinster?"

"She has more than enough chances to be married," Agnes spoke up again. She couldn't help herself. Not when Caroline was the topic at hand. "As a matter of fact, there is someone who will be willing to marry her tomorrow if given the chance."

"Ha!" Lady Reeds laughed coldly. "And who could that be? Another duke?"

Caroline squeezed Agnes' hand, shaking her head slightly. "Agnes…"

Agnes wanted to say. God knew the urge to reveal the full truth was mounting inside her. But it was not her truth to tell.

Lord Reeds gave her the cut direct, turning his attention back to Johnathan. Agnes tensed when he advanced on Johnathan yet again, even though Christopher was there to put a hand to his chest and ward him off. Lord Reeds batted his hand away but he didn't try to come any closer. He only said, "You know what will happen if you do this, Your Grace."

"I know what you will attempt to make happen, Lord Reeds," Johnathan said. "I have no intention of allowing it."

"Oh? And how do you intend to stop me when I march out there and tell everyone the truth of what really happened to the late duke?"

Someone gasped. The dowager duchess swayed on her feet. Thankfully, Paul was standing closely enough to catch her before she fell to the floor.

Everyone's attention swiveled between the earl and the dowager duchess but Johnathan did not look away from him once. And Agnes did not look away from Johnathan.

This time, Johnathan decided to advance on him. "If you dare to threaten my family one more time, Lord Reeds, I shall ensure that you live to regret it for the rest of your miserable life on this earth. I shan't dare you to make such a foolish misstep because you and I both know that you are idiotic enough to attempt it so let me make this clear to you. You are not in control here."

Lord Reeds swallowed. Agnes felt a pang of satisfaction at the way he cowered for a moment before visibly gathering whatever strength he had. His lips thinned, his nostrils flared, his hands clenched and opened at his side. He seemed to be at war with himself and the silence that stretched on following Johnathan's words only made it more intense.

Instead of saying anything else, he simply turned and began marching towards the door. For a moment, no one stopped him and panic set into Agnes' heart. Even though she knew that Johnathan meant what he'd said, the earl was still capable of spreading rumors. Rumors that would take time in debunking, that would live in the shadows for the rest of their lives. Agnes knew Johnathan. She knew he wanted to preserve his father's memory as best as he could.

But she didn't get the chance to stand or stop him because Caroline beat her to it.

"Uncle, wait," she called. "You cannot do this."

Lord Reeds stopped, but only to turn and look at Caroline as if she'd just said the most foolish thing possible. "And why can't I?"

"Because it will not end the way you want it to," Caroline managed to say. "I shan't marry the duke nor the duke's brother. Nor anyone else you match me with."

"You insolent girl," Lady Reeds hissed. "Do you even know what you're saying?"

"I do," Caroline stated, her voice a little stronger. "And I do not care. I cannot marry someone I do not love."

"I have heard enough of this." Lord Reeds turned and continued on his way to the door. Caroline took a small step towards him, squeaking in horror.

But as soon as he opened the door, he drew to a halt. Someone was already on the other end with his hand poised to knock. A man wearing brown tweed breeches and a simple cotton shirt with sensible shoes. A man Agnes recognized instantly despite having never met him before.

This was George, the stable boy.