Chapter 350: Courting (3)
"I will try to do better. I truly wish to know you, Miss Rue. You are unlike any lady I have ever seen, and I think there is something we can both learn from each other. I could help you to understand Lockwood, and you can help me with the border," Selina proposed.
"It is a kind offer, but the Collinses and other friends I have made are helping me. I don’t want to take your time away from the season. If you would excuse us, we must continue on our walk," Rue said, ready to move on.
"Could I join you both? It has been some time since I walked with Elijah, and it would give me a chance to get to know Rue. I wish to know if the duchess is well," said Selina.
"I don’t know what you might have heard, but my mother is well. It would be wrong for you to impose on my time with Miss Rue. I shall walk with you another time," Elijah said, politely rejecting the offer.
There was a tiny part of him which wanted to toy with Rue a little and test if he could bring out her jealous side.
"You are right. Where are my manners?" Selina asked herself upon realising her mistake. "It would be wrong of me to impose. I hope to be lucky enough to cross paths with you both another day. If you would, please excuse me."
Selina curtsied. She had done her best to stay with the pair, but it was evident they wouldn’t let her intrude, no matter what she said.
Selina walked away from Elijah and Rue, but she looked back to keep an eye on them both.
Selina didn’t like what she witnessed. Everyone else took notice of Rue and Elijah together. Of course, this would cause a bit of a commotion since it involved Elijah Collins.
Selina looked forward, unable to witness the sight of Elijah with another lady. Before Rue came to Lockwood, it was Selina who had the pleasure of being so close to Elijah.
There was no doubt in Selina’s mind that if not for Rue, she would have been proposed to by now and preparing for her wedding.
"Milady-"
"Don’t speak. Don’t say a word of this to me again," Selina spoke over her mind. "I don’t need to be reminded of this. Speak with the maids of the other ladies and let it be known that Miss Rue is only a guest of the king, not a lady being courted by Elijah."
Selina wouldn’t be able to bear it to hear others speak of Rue being the one Elijah would propose to by the end of the season.
"It doesn’t make any sense. I am most suited to become a duchess," Selina said, failing to point out what she lacked. "Surely he was jesting about a lady needing to know how to use a weapon."
Selina didn’t like how Rue was slowly changing Elijah. Elijah never acted like this before. He was a well-dignified man who always acted like a gentleman.
"I must do something fast," Selina plotted.
Selina’s first thought was to go to the duchess.
Meanwhile, Rue looked back at where Selina walked without her maid.
"That was amusing. She is smitten with you," Rue said.
"So I’ve been told," Elijah replied.
"You must have noticed it as well. I have even heard that she is the lady you considered to wed. I believe there is some truth to it, or will you continue to act like it wasn’t your intention?" Rue asked, expecting an honest answer.
"I did think Selina would make a suitable choice for a wife, but I didn’t speak of proposing to her. That rumour started because we were seen together at balls and dancing. I’ve also heard that I picked out a ring for her, but I don’t recall doing such a thing," said Elijah.
"Well, that explains why she is so horrified to see you with other ladies. Perhaps this will be a fine lesson not to believe rumours, but I still think it was your charms which made her believe the rumours."
"Charms? What charms?" Elijah asked, curious what Rue saw.
"Do not play innocent with me. I see right through you. The hand holding, the kissing, and the things you say. My parents both have armies filled with men, and they have warned me about what men do. I see you," Rue said, starting to walk ahead of Elijah.
"And these charms, do they work?" Elijah inquired.
"Well, yes. You have a lady not yet been proposed to, trying to send away any lady who gets close to you. Look around," Rue said, her attention going to the young ladies around. "They all have love in their eyes when they look at you."
"They don’t know me," Elijah replied.
"I came to understand that most couples in this town tend to get to know each other after the vows. Your sisters don’t understand why the ladies are drawn to you, but I see it," Rue said, realising the kind of man Elijah was.
"Are you drawn to me?"
Rue turned slightly to see Elijah. "What matters is the other ladies."
"I am not inquiring about the other ladies. It is you I stand with. Are you drawn to me?" Elijah asked once more.
"Hmm. I don’t know how good you are with a sword, so no. But alas, all hope is not lost. There is still plenty of time left for my stay in Lockwood. You have by then to impress me, and lucky for you, you already bring me amusement," said Rue.
"Are you open to me impressing you? I thought you weren’t interested in marriage. Well, at least settling down here," Elijah said, testing the waters.
"Oh, Elijah. Like the ladies here, you move too fast. Who said anything about marriage? Should you impress me with your skills, I would speak highly of you to others. Let us not fool ourselves that you are courting me. This is only an act," Rue said, turning around once more.
Rue’s back was turned to Elijah and their guards. She walked with her hands behind her back, smiling at the puzzled young ladies.
"Who else is around and desperately in love with you? I can help send them away from you. Oh," Rue tilted her head. "That man has been in our path once before."
"Gideon, keep a closer eye on those who have been lurking near us. I think we might have a little fun today. What a shame since I left my favourite sword at home," Rue said, but still, she looked forward to what the men of Lockwood were made of.