Morrow * Following day

A lady in bright pink off shoulder dress with layers elegantly walked up the stairs with the help of a gentleman beside her who held her hand in his, tenderly.

She had a smile that could leave an impact on anyone, the make up she had on blended perfectly with her smooth oval face.

They went past the entrance doors and the butler greeted them warmly before showing them the way to the leisure room where other ladies were.

"Gladys!"

Rosabel squealed in delight when Gladys stepped in and when the gentleman followed, Rosabel's eyes twinkled and she quickly rushed up to them with a wide smile.

Rosabel could compete with Gladys in looks, that's how enthralling she was to people.

The butler simply bowed and left since Rosabel already did his work for him.

"Lord Celeste." She curtsied when she finally approached them. For a brief moment Celeste had his eyes on her, she was glowing and he couldn't seem to point out what it was that made her glow.

Gladys engulfed her in a warm hug. A lot of people despised Rosabel because of how rude and ungrateful she was but Gladys didn't mind it even a bit.

To Gladys, Rosabel was like a little sister she never had. Whenever Rosabel faced any problem, big or small she would always go to Gladys for advice or help.

"How are you today Lady Rosabel?"

Celeste tried to be nice to her for his sister's sake. Rosabel's cheeks had a bright hue of pink, telling how excited she was that Celeste had his eyes on her.

"Very well my lord."

She answered before gesturing for them to come in and take their seats. When they neared the other noble ladies of high classes, they where quick to pay respect to the duke who was in their midst.

As expected, Celeste sat beside his sister. Rosabel had a contented posture. She was about to take the kettle and serve them tea but Gladys stopped her by placing her hand on top of hers.

"I can handle that."

Gladys assured her and Rosabel decided to let her handle it. Gladys took her time in serving herself and Celeste by pouring tea into their tea cups.

"I'm glad you where able to make it my lord," Rosabel spoke in her most sweetest tone.

"The pleasure's all mine, lady Rosabel."

He said before raising his cup to her with a nod and her smile stretched.

"Not to be rude though, but I thought it was meant to be a ladies only tea party."

Isadora, one of the noble ladies wanted to understand what was happening. Rosabel threw a light glare at her for pointing that out.

"I changed my mind," came Rosabel's unconvincing reply. They all knew how much she yearned to be in the duke's presence.

Celeste didn't say a word, he simply just sipped his tea without caring what she said.

"Why is lady Georgiana not here yet Rosabel?" Gladys noticed one of their friend to be absent.

"Haven't you heard?"

Leslie, the other noble lady amongst them inquired with wide eyes. Gladys narrowed her eyes and carefully placed her teacup back on the saucer.

"The king has asked for her presence at his manor." This caused Celeste's eyebrow to quirk up in curiosity at what lady Isadora just said but he didn't inquire of it, he instead focused on sipping his tea.

Gladys stilled. She knew he was a man of his words but she never expected him to act this fast.

"Seems like he's very taken with Lady Georgiana." Stephena who had been quiet spoke up.

"Seems so," came Leslie's agreement to it.

"She's a very lucky lady," Rosabel said, but there was an underlying meaning to her words which Celeste caught onto.

"Hmmm." Gladys hummed while focusing her attention on her tea cup.

"My lord, hope we aren't boring you with our talk?" Rosabel had pure concern in her eyes. Before he could utter a word, Gladys stepped in to his dismay.

"Am very sure he's bored, why don't you tour him around Rosabel."

Rosabel's eyes went wide, she wanted to scream in delight. Gladys secretly winked at her and Rosabel understood what she meant by it. Leslie shook her head while Isadora chuckled lightly.

Celeste threw a glare at Gladys and she grinned widely, taunting him.

"My lord, may I?"

He clenched his jaw in displeasure, he couldn't refuse her. It would be very rude.

"Fine." He muttered and she sprang up to her feet. Gladys hid her chuckle behind her tea cup.

Celeste reluctantly stood up and followed Rosabel after glaring hard at Gladys for putting him in the mess.

Rosabel walked beside him as they headed out of the leisure room.

Isadora burst into laughter when they were out of sight, she couldn't help it.

"She reminds me of a little kitten." Leslie spoke and Isadora's laughter heightened and Gladys joined in while Stephena only smiled.

"You've helped her a lot Gladys, she better respect you." Stephena suddenly spoke up in a normal tone.

"True," came Leslie's agreement to what Stephena said. Rosabel had been rude to everyone of them especially Gladys who was always by her side.

"I don't mind it Stephena."

Gladys shrugged before taking a sip from her cup.

"Have you found a man to your liking, lady Isadora?" Gladys decided to shift the topic from her to them. Isadora's face brightened at the question directed to her.

"Of course"

"Who could that be?" Leslie chirped in, her eyes twinkling.

"Perdue McClendon."

Isadora happily told them his name and their mouths hung open in surprise.

"Rosabel's Eldest brother?"

Leslie's eyes widened in shock and surprise and her reaction drew everyone's attention.

"What's wrong Leslie?" Stephena narrowed her eyes as she inquired.

Leslie became quiet for a long time, her eyes darted from one person's face to another.

"You also have interest in him."

What Gladys said was more of a declaration than a question. Leslie's head slowly went up and down, nodding in agreement.

Isadora's eyes were glued to her, confusion and shock written all over her face.

*

Walking side by side along the veranda, Rosabel stole glances at Celeste. They walked in silence and Rosabel didn't mind it as far as she was alone with him.

They walked onto the green field, leaving her home behind. There were flowers everywhere and it brightened the environment and brought colour to it.

"What flower do you find fascinating my lord?" Rosabel tried to engage him in a topic. She wanted to hear him speak.

"All kinds," came his uninterested tone.

"Do my lord have any favorites?" She watched him, admiring him, he was beyond the word 'handsome' or good looking'

"Yes, I have only one."

He decided to play along, answering her questions as if he was interested in them.

"Which is that, my lord?"

"I would prefer you call me lord Celeste rather than adding 'my' to the lord."

It irked him whenever she called him 'my lord,' it sounded like he was already hers and the way she said it sounded endearing to his ears.

"Oh! I did not know my...lord Celeste, pardon me." She became careful with how she spoke to him, she didn't want him to avoid her again.

"Rose is my favorite." He answered her previous question and this made her eyes widen, her heart bubbled in excitement but everything died down when he continued almost immediately.

"Because of my mother, she loved roses."

"Oh," she exclaimed and her heart dropped, though she was glad he told her about his mother's favorite as well.

However, Celeste halted and so did she. His eyes held hers in a dull way and this made her wonder what he was going to say next.

"It would be better if you give your heart to another man, Ms McClendon."

For some seconds she tried to understand what he said and when it dawned on her, she froze. Her body shook because she knew this was his way of rejecting her and saying she should back off.

"But...i-i can't."

"Then try," came his nonchalant and carefree response. Her heart broke and tears clouded her eyes.

"Please my l-lord Celeste...i-"

"My heart is already occupied by another woman lady Rosabel and I love her dearly."

A tear drop escaped Rosabel's left eye, she was in shock and couldn't even control her emotions again. This was unacceptable.

"May I know who occupies your heart...lord Celeste?"

Celeste watched her tear up without even a hint of sympathy in his eyes. Rosabel stared back at him through her teary eyes, she was still trying to wrap her head round the fact that he blatantly rejected her.