Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97 An Old Man’s Intuition

Elowen was taken aback. She first helped Sylvia to her feet. “Get up.”

Sylvia rose with Elowen’s help. Elowen asked, “Who is he? When did it start?”

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Sylvia blushed. “It’s the gentleman I met on the Bill that day. His name is Peres. Though he’s at merchant’s son, he is courteous and kind to me!

That explained Sylvia’s unusually bright mood that day.

A memory clicked for Elowen. “And you went out today to see him, didn’t you?”

Sylvia’s face flamed crimson. “We didn’t do anything improper! Just sat talking a while- nothing more! We didn’t even touch!”

Elowen chuckled, “Relax. I’m not a prude.”

Sylvia only turned redder.

“But there’s one thing I should remind you.” Elowen’s tone turned serious. “Mr. Page is in royal service. Peres is from a merchant family. In our world, commerce will always rank lower than official position. When we marry, we cannot consider only our present affection. We must look to the future. What will your life be like? What of your children’s prospects? These require careful thought.”

Sylvia nodded. “I get it.”

But Elowen could see the lingering naivety in her eyes.

Sylvia didn’t truly understand.

Still, Elowen had given her counsel. The final choice was Sylvia’s own. If Elowen pushed too hard and Sylvia later regretted it, resentment would follow.

“Well, as long as you understand,” Elowen said, letting it go.

Yet Sylvia’s brow furrowed. “But, Your Grace…”

She bit her lip, looking crestfallen. “My mother will never agree. She is determined for me to marry into a high-ranking family. She would never accept a merchant.”

Elowen thought for a moment. “Then have Peres come to Duskmoor Manor the day after tomorrow as well.”

Joy illuminated Sylvia’s face. “Thank you, Your Grace!”

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19:18 Fri, Feb 13 TTD.

Chapter 97 An Old Man’s Intuition

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As Sylvia left, practically floating with happiness Elowen felt a lightness too, humming a little tune under her breath.

“Sylvia is right. Lady Marwen will never consent to her daughter marrying a merchant. She will make a dreadful scene, likely directing her fury at you.” Cassian’s low voice came from the doorway.

Elowen looked up, tilting her head. “How do you know?”

Cassian raised a brow. “An old man’s intuition, perhaps?”

Elowen blinked, then laughed, “What’s with this old man’ talk all of a sudden?”

Cassian’s gaze flickered to the portrait still lying near her hand.

Elowen didn’t realize he was sour about the age thing. She didn’t dwell on it. She stood up and went to him, her skirts rustling. “My lord, you said Lady Marwen would blame me. But am I not the Duchess? Would she truly show me so little regard?”

Cassian nodded. “She would.”

Elowen was stunned again.

Bran, standing behind Cassian, chimed in, “Your Grace, you should have seen it! During the arrangements for Lady Vivian’s marriage, it was chaos for months. Lady Marwen complained that one suitor had too many brothers to split the inheritance, or that another’s family had no title, their rank too low. And she said these things to their faces! When His Grace reprimanded her, she simply collapsed on the floor, wailing about how pitiful General Ashcroft was, how pitiful her children were, threatening to follow the General to the grave…”

Elowen could already picture Marwen pounding her chest and howling. Just imagining it made her scalp prickle.

Yet she had already promised Sylvia she could invite Peres.

The day after tomorrow, Rowena and her nephew Kaelan would be guests at Duskmoor Manor. If Marwen caused a scene, as the hostess, Elowen would be mortified…

This type of person was the hardest to handle.

Reasoning with her was a total waste of breath.

Even the most skilled were helpless against someone who discarded all dignity and was willing to overturn the table at any moment.

Elowen closed her eyes in despair.

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19:18 Fri, Feb 13 TTO.

Chapter 97 An Old Man’s Intuition

“Need help?”

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Cassian’s voice, calm and measured, broke through her thoughts at just the right moment.

She opened her eyes, hope blooming. “Really?”

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