I Have Other Offers!

Ellsie's almost evil laugh echoed throughout the room. She knew that if she simply asked him, he'd tell her to go away. "That's okay my dear Lacey. I have some information he wants."

"Well if you are sure it will work then I will trust you," Lacey placed her fingers of her temples and closed her eyes softly. "But how are you going to get through today?"

"Just watch," Ellsie smile confidently and headed towards the living room.

~~~

The ladies walked into a large cream coloured room, standing in the center of the room, was a man with perfectly groomed grey hair combed back and short beard with piercing, lively, blue eyes, he looked like an older version of her brother Eric, the man was Ellsie's father Duke Jacob Rosewood. Another man about the same age with dark brown hair combed back and dark, cold eyes filled with hatred as he gazed at the young heiress, the hostility Marquess Matthew Thompson had for her was unmistakable. The last man was much younger, his dark brown hair combed back perfectly and his eyes were like two perfect sapphires and his smile could light up the room, it was obvious to see why Ellsie easily believed every word he said.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Her heart rate was increasing, despite everything he did, she had truly fallen in love with Henry back then. And for a moment Ellsie almost forgot about everything he did to her, she remembered being held by him, his soft lips tasting hers. She barely stopped herself from running into his arms, it was only when she closed her eyes and saw him with his arms around her sister Clarissa as her stepmother, Mara, pushed her off the cliff, Ellsie took a deep breath.

"Oh darling you're finally here." A tall slender woman with long golden hair and porcelain skin walked over to her and lead her to the group of men. The Duchess' hands felt like ice on Ellsie's shoulders, but she did not object.

~~~

For about 30 minutes they all talked idly, making small talk and polite greetings. When the Duchess returned with some tea. As she poured the tea Mara made a slight smile to the Marquess, this would normally be something Ellsie would have overlooked, but she knew better than that.

"So Lord Matthew what do you think of our Ellsie? Won't she make such a wonderful daughter-in-law?" The condescending smile was almost like neon sign, how she missed all these signs last time is still uncertain.

"Wonderful indeed my dear Duchess," the words in between the lines were so obvious, she found it hard to believe that her father, never figured things out.

"What do about you think of Lord Henry my dearest flower?" The duke looked at his daughter with wide and kind eyes.

"Indeed, Lord Henry, is indeed a valid candidate." Ellsie smiled politely. The red-haired heiress read the faces around her, both the marquess and duchess were confused and Henry was almost fuming, while the duke beamed proudly.

"Candidate?" The duchess finally managed to speak. "What do you mean dear Ellsie?"

"Oh well Mother, I have other offers!"

They were all speechless. Fear flashed in their eyes, like someone had just told them they'd lost everything. Damn it Mara new that her stepdaughter had to marry Henry, or that was their plan was ruined. Who were these other offers?