Chapter 216
Chapter 216
The next morning, just as Athena had finished washing up, Dorothea from Eloise’s courtyard rushed into her chamber in a fluster. “Lady Athena, Lady Eloise requests your presence in the main courtyard immediately p>
Athena raised her eyes to look at her. “What is it?” she asked. Actually, she already knew the answer in her heart. ‘Ferris must have really come to propose,‘ she thought.
Dorothea looked utterly shocked. “Lady Mcgee is here,” she announced.
“Isn’t Lord Ferris with her?” Athena asked, a bit puzzled.
Dorothea shook her head. “No, he isn’t p>
Athena stood up. “Let’s go p>
‘Maybe something’s changed,‘ Athena thought. ‘I need to go see for myself.
Before long, Athena arrived at the main courtyard.
Before Athena got close, she heard laughter from inside. Eloise called out, “What brings you here today, Your Grace p>
Eloise was entertaining the guest with a practiced smile, though her heart fluttered with unease.
Although the Mcgee family had long promised Athena, no formal proposal had ever materialized.
Now, with Gale arriving so early in the morning, Eloise suspected she was here to discuss the marriage. But that hardly seemed likely; after all, no one came to propose empty–handed.
Gale smiled gently and said, “It’s regarding Athena. I’d like to have a discussion with you, Lady Eloise p>
Just then, Athena entered the room, and both Gale and Eloise looked up at her.
Athena stepped forward and curtsied. “Paying my respects, Your Grace p>
Gale gestured lightly with her hand and said with a practiced smile, “Rise, girl. Perfect timing–your mother and I were just discussing your marriage arrangements p>
Athena looked at Gale, puzzled, and asked, “Your Grace, is this about my marriage p>
“Indeed,” Gale smiled gracefully. “I propose to come with a formal marriage proposal after Willow is married. Would this arrangement be acceptable to your family p>
Athena was taken aback. This wasn’t how Gale had acted before. She always made no secret of her disdain for Athena.
‘How could her attitude change so much overnight?‘ Athena wondered, ‘Did Ferris do something to make this happen p>
While Athena was lost in thought, Eloise beamed with joy, “How wonderful. This is truly a double blessing for our family p>
“Very well, it’s settled then. After Willow’s wedding, I shall come with the marriage proposal,” Gale said, giving Athena a meaningful look. “I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t linger. Atheny, do accompany me out p>
“Yes, Your Grace,” Athena quickly stood up and replied. She stepped forward to assist Gale by the arm, and the two walked out together.
Eloise’s face was radiant with joy, her smile so wide she could hardly contain it.
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Chapter 216
With one daughter married into the Osborne family and the other soon to join the Mcgee family, she knew that, with such powerful alliances, the foundation of the duke’s estate would stand unshakable.
Overjoyed, Eloise instructed the butler, “From today on, prepare Lady Athena’s meals with extra care and add two more courses to her daily menu p>
‘Only if she’s kept radiant and healthy will she look her best on her wedding day, Eloise wondered.
The butler replied, “Yes, Lady Eloise p>
All at once, the entire duke’s estate was buzzing with joy.
Meanwhile, Athena escorted Gale out of the courtyard.
As soon as they left the courtyard, Gale’s practiced smile collapsed. Her eyes were red–rimmed as she glared at Athena, her voice laced with barely concealed resentment. “I don’t know what kind of spell you’ve put on my son.
“He insists on marrying you, and if I refuse, he even threatened to slit his throat p>
Thinking back to last night, Gale still felt a chill run down her spine.
It had taken everything just to keep Ferris alive. She dared not say no at all after that. And so, the engagement was settled, whether Gale liked it or not.
Athena’s face paled slightly, her voice trembling as she asked, “Is Ferris all right p>
Gale shot her a withering glare. “If anything had happened to him, do you really think I’d be here proposing this marriage p>
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.