Four

Rose woke up with a smile on her face, feeling happier than she had ever felt before. The first rays of sunlight were just beginning to peek through the window of her bedroom in her family's manor house in England.

She sat up in her bed, stretching her arms and letting out a contented sigh. The day ahead was filled with promise and excitement, and she couldn't wait to get started.

Rose had always loved the mornings, with their fresh air and the peaceful quiet before the hustle and bustle of the day began. She slipped out of bed and walked over to the window, pushing aside the heavy curtains to let in more light.

The view outside was breathtaking. The fields were lush and green, with wildflowers blooming here and there. The birds were chirping and the air was filled with the sweet scent of dew on the grass.

Rose took a deep breath and closed her eyes, feeling grateful for the beauty around her. She had so much to be thankful for-- a life filled with possibilities.

Aunt Mary sat regally in her drawing room, her fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest of her chair. She had summoned her niece Rose to deliver the news.

As Rose timidly entered the room, Aunt Mary raised her head and fixed her with a cold stare.

"Sit down, child," she said, gesturing towards a chair across from her. "I have news that I fear will not please you."

Rose's heart sank as she took her seat. She had always known her aunt to be a difficult woman, but she had never seen her quite so stern before.

"I have arranged a marriage for you, Rose," Aunt Mary continued her voice firm. "To the Duke of Mayfield."

Rose gasped in shock. They just spoke yesterday and he was going to leave her alone for good.

William entered the room.

“You promised,” She yelled.

“I promised that you will not be my mistress, but I did not say I will not make you my wife,” He told her and sat down beside her aunt. “My mother was not in support of this and I had to convince her. I hope you will not let her down,” He added.

"But Aunt Mary," she protested weakly, "I do not wish to marry him. I do not love him."

"Love is a luxury that few can afford, child," Aunt Mary replied, her lips thinning. "You will marry the Duke and you will learn to be a good wife to him. You do not have a choice."

Rose felt a chill run down her spine. Her aunt was not one to make idle threats, and she knew that she would have to obey her wishes, no matter how much it pained her.

As Aunt Mary rose from her chair and swept out of the room, Rose sat there in silence, her mind whirling with fear and uncertainty. She had always dreamed of finding true love, of marrying for passion and not for convenience. But now, it seemed that her dreams had been snatched away from her, replaced by a cruel reality that she could not escape.

William waited back to talk to her.

“What you are doing is preposterous!” She shouted.

William laughed.

“Are you going to punch me like last time?” He asked her. “I am giving you the rarest chance to be Duchess and you are refusing? Is it not better than before?” He asked her.

Sara swallowed hard.

“I am to be married to Steve. He will be here to ask for my hand,” She stammered, breaking down.

William laughed.

“Have you seen him anywhere around here?” He asked her.

The thought came to her.

“What did you do?” She asked him.

“Nothing. His family owes my family a lot. In fact, most families in London are indebted to me and I can pull strings whenever. I told him that you are mine and he is not to come near you,” He replied, with a straight face.

Sara looked at him.

“Steve will not leave me because of this. What did you tell him?” She asked him.

William pulled her closer.

“If you marry me, Sara, I will cater to all your needs and I will clear not only your family’s debt but that of Steve’s too. I am a man of my word and I will not deceive you,” He told her.

Sara laughed.

“As if you have not done that already. It is not allowed to force someone into marriage,” She shouted.

William released her.

“For your family’s safety and for Steve, you would do this,” He touched her face lightly.

Sara fell to her knees.

“Why me?” She asked him already in tears.

“Because you fascinate me and that is all you should know for now,” He smiled and brought out a diamond ring.

It was unlike the jewelry she wore. It was beautiful with blue stones.

She wiped her tears, there was no way out.

The Duke, tall and imposing, looked down at her with a stern expression. He had always been a man of few words, but his presence alone was enough to make even the bravest of souls quiver.

"Sara," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I trust you understand the gravity of the situation."

Rose swallowed hard and nodded, her eyes cast down to the ground. She knew what was at stake. Her family's reputation, and her own future, all hinged on this marriage.

She refused to answer. He looked at her, ignoring her tears and what she was feeling. He placed the ring on her finger.

"We are now betrothed and you are now my responsibility. I expect you to be ready for the wedding in two weeks' time. There can be no delay and before then, you must learn how to be a proper lady. I will not have you disgrace me when you are at my side."

Sara nodded, her heart heavy with sadness. She had hoped that the Duke would have shown some sympathy, some understanding, but he was unwavering in his decision.

As she turned to leave, the Duke called out to her.

"Sara," he said, his voice softer this time. "I know this is not what you wanted, but it is for the best. Trust me."

Sara curtsied before him, her heart aching with the weight of her decision. She knew that she had to go through with the marriage, for the sake of her family and her own future. But at what cost?

In the afternoon Steve called for her in the drawing room.

“You should know she is betrothed and to be married. Do not come here again after today,” Aunt Mary spoke.

Sara entered the room. She wondered why Steve did this to her.

“Sara,” He called out to her. “You promised you would come for me, but you failed me, and just because of money for that matter,” She shouted.

“He was going to use it against my family if I did not act fast. He will clear our debts and you are just marrying him in name only. You will not fulfill the duties of a wife,” He told him.

He went closer to her.

“Please step back. A woman should not be close to a man,” She spoke quickly. “I have no intention of being with you because you are as disgusting as my aunt. You all used me for money,” She spoke. “I have no intention of being near you, Steve. Please leave,” She spoke and left him there.

Steve was angry. He had to have Sara but his debts needed to be cleared. His father told him that Sara had enough wealth left for her by her parents to serve him a lifetime. Immediately he heard of it, he came back to London to ask for her hand.

Sarah did not even know how wealthy she was as her uncle was going to hide the fact until she was married, so no one would take advantage of her.

He was going to find a way to separate Sara from the Duke after he had signed the document of clearance for all his debt.

Sara stared at the engagement ring on her finger, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She couldn't believe she was engaged to the Duke, someone she barely knew, and who had practically forced her to accept the proposal.

The ring itself was beautiful, a large diamond nestled in a delicate gold setting, but it felt heavy and cold on her finger. She couldn't help but think about the circumstances in which it was given to her, and the pressure she had felt to say yes.

She was to marry the Duke, a man who was cold and calculating, with no real interest in her as a person. He had only proposed because it was convenient for him, a way to create heirs.

As she looked at the ring on her finger, Sara knew she couldn't go through with the wedding. She couldn't spend the rest of her life with someone she didn't love, someone who didn't care about her.

With a deep breath, she slipped the ring off her finger and set it down on the table. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she had to find a way to break things off with the Duke and start over.