Page 45 of A Rogue to Reform

“Oh.” Felicity fought to come up with a response.

“Felicity, how could you?” Her mother lowered to sit. “Whatever will we do when Richard arrives?”

“It’s just a rumor.”

Just then Grant arrived. By his murderous expression, he’d also heard.

“What exactly happened? Did Lady Ross stand at the corner and scream the rumor?” Felicity asked.

“Is that all it is?” Grant asked. “A rumor?”

“No, it is not.” Evan entered the room.

When Grant’s fist plowed into the side of Evan’s face, he lifted his arms to defend himself, but did not hit Grant back. Grant punched Evan’s midsection and he fell backwards and crashed against the wall, knocking a table over, a vase crashing and splintering into pieces.

Hannah, Ana, Felicity, and her mother all screamed and ran toward the French doors, but couldn’t keep from turning to watch. Her father and Gerard rushed in to break up the fight. It was a struggle, as Grant was too angry to stop pummeling Evan.

By the time her father and Gerard managed to pull Grant away, Evan bled from the nose and lips.

Everyone was silent, without words to begin to explain what was happening.

“You will marry my sister,” Grant said. “Immediately.”

“I will not be forced into marriage…” Felicity began.

Her father made a slashing motion with his free hand; in the other, he grasped Evan’s lapels. “Be quiet, Felicity. You will do as told.”

Gerard, whose face was red from restraining Evan, released him and looked to the doorway. “It seems Mr. Ross has arrived.”

Everyone turned to see that indeed Calum stood at the doorway with an amused expression. “It seems I have interrupted a rather personal exchange. I will see myself out.” He turned and walked away.

“Go see about him and ensure he will not speak of this,” Felicity’s mother told her husband. “Hurry.”

While her father went after Calum, Felicity and Hannah exchanged wide-eyed looks.

“Sit down, all of you.” Her mother’s tone left no doubt she was furious. She went to stand in front of Felicity. “I am so disappointed in you, young lady. To be kissing in public is most disgraceful, and to do it twice?”

“Twice?” Grant stared incredulously at Evan. Her brother furrowed his brow, obviously trying to figure out when the first time was that they could have been seen.

“Oh stop pretending,” her mother looked first at Felicity and then Evan. “I saw you in the garden at Sorcha Robertson’s dinner party. I was looking for Felicity.”

Before Grant could do anything, she turned to him. “And you should be more aware of what your close friend is doing. My goodness, anyone with eyes can see they are besotted with each other.”

Evan looked at Felicity, the corner of his now swollen lip twitching with restrained mirth.

Her mother tapped her foot, her eyes boring into Evan’s. “As a gentleman, which I hope you are, I expect that you will do what you can to correct this matter. And that you will be faithful to my daughter. Otherwise, I cannot be held responsible for what I will do to you.”

“Mother!” Felicity exclaimed as Evan’s eyes locked onto her mother’s curled hands.

“I have begun to make changes in my life to ensure it,” he replied, and walked to where Felicity sat. He lowered to one knee. “Felicity Murray, I hold you in the highest esteem and ask that you do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

She restrained from wiping the trickle of blood from the cut on his lip. “Are you absolutely sure?”

His face softened. “More than anything in my entire life.”

“Then my answer is yes.” Not caring that everyone looked on, Felicity threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the mouth.

“Goodness,” Hannah exclaimed, and then giggled.