The Rose's Bloom by Danielle Lisle

surprised to hear Claire voicing her disagreement. She was a feisty woman, and one he was proud to call his own.

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    “Lord Belfort is here to see you, my Lord.”
    The tone of the butler’s voice reeked of disapproval, and Damon could understand it. He would not have appreciated a lord barging into his home and refusing to wait before being announced, either.
    Lord Killory looked up from his desk and frowned for a moment at seeing Damon standing behind his butler, though he quickly concealed it.
    “Thank you, Hamish. Lord Belfort, please come in,” Killory said with an inquisitive smile. He indicated a chair that sat before his desk.
    As Damon took the seat, Killory rose and poured brandy into two small glasses. He placed one in front of Damon and returned to his seat.
    “I am surprised to see you, Lord Belfort. Normally I deal with your man of business on estate matters. My wife was quite pleased to see you in attendance last night. I must tell you I fear your appearance at our ball will be the leading gossip at her high teas for some time.”
    Not caring for small talk, Damon got straight to the point. “I am here today to discuss your daughter.”
    The older man smirked. “Ah, I see. Yes, my Lizzy has already had several men come to seek my favour.”
    “I do not refer to your youngest.”
    A furrow creased the brow of Claire’s father. “Pardon? Who do you refer to?”
    Damon could not understand the man’s naïvety. Was he daft? “Your eldest. Lady Claire.”
    “Claire?” The man appeared shocked. “Really?”
    “Yes. I have come to ask for her hand.”
    If possible, the man appeared more dumbstruck than before. “Claire?”
    “Yes,” Damon repeated with irritation.
    Seeming to come out of his startled reverie, Lord Killory shook his head. “I did not realise you were in need of coin?”
    Now it was Damon’s turn to be shocked. “I assure you, my Lord, my wealth surpasses your own and I do not seek your daughter’s hand to enrich my estate. I intend to take her as my wife for my pleasure, and not as a matter of business.”
    Claire’s father raised an eyebrow, but did not move to comment as he sat in his chair. The older man studied Damon over the rim of his glass as he took a sip.
    “I was not aware you and my Claire had met before last night. Are you telling me these feelings come from only your dance together?”
    Damon’s teeth ground together. “We met two days past, while she was out riding.”
    Lord Killory nodded, never taking his eyes off Damon. “So you are telling me Claire was the reason you attended our ball last night?”
    Damon was not known to be social. In truth, he had not attended a ball in several years. “That, and my mother wished to attend.”
    “Claire is already promised to another.”
    “I am aware of that,” he ground out.
    Surprise lit Killory’s features. “How so? I have only send word to London this morning. I doubt it has been received yet.”
    “Yes, and I have sent a man after your mail. He should reach it before it is delivered. It will be returned to you, unopened.”
    Surprise quickly turned to rage. Killory slammed his fist down on his desk. “You had no right!”
    “I have every right! She is mine!” Damon roared back.
    The doors to the study banged open and Damon turned to see Claire rushing in. Her face was flushed, but her dress was not the same as the one he had seen her wearing by the river. She had changed. Most likely a good thing.
    “Daughter, you do not enter here without my invitation!” her father bellowed, his anger seeming to increase.
    Damon stood, clenching his fits at his side as he looked back to Killory. How dare this man yell at her for simply coming into a room? He was her father!
    Tender hands touched his clenched fists, and Damon looked down to see her gazing up at him with concern. She laced her fingers with his. She worried for him, he realised. His heart swelled. Looking into her silver eyes,