With those words, he boldly met Gabriel''s eyes and, without hesitation, announced to the room. First-Tim calling off my eggeriment to Eliza
Stonor"
"How dare you!" Gabriel roared, his anger exploding.
The moment Caleb''s words rang out, the entire room enipted in shocked whispers.
Sophie''s eyes sparkled with excitement, while Gabriel''s face darkened to a deep scowl as he red at Cale
"Caleb Adeline, well aware of Gabriel''s disposition, immediately grabbed Calch''s arm. "Call, whatever it is, can it want Today is theing-of-age ceremony for your two younger sisters. Don''t make a scene here"
Though she wasn''t particrly fond of Eliza, publicly breaking the engagement was a blow to the entire Stonor family''s reputation
But Caleb wasn''t having it. He shrugged off his mother''s grip, determined as ever. "Mother, I''ve made up my mind. No more talking about it".
Dn, furious, couldn''t hold back any longer. "Caleb Nevill, no matter what you think of Eliza, she''s been your friend since childhood! You two have grown up together, and today of all days, you want to humiliate her and disgrace nur entire family!"
sily like it slidn''t
Dn wasn''t defending Eliza-he just couldn''t stand how Caleb was treating the Stonor family like it
"Dn,” Caleb shot back, "Tm not trying to shame the Stonor family. But I can''t imagine tying my life to a woman like Eliza-mean-spined. jealous, and cruel.
"So no matter how much you protest, this engagement is over.
and that''s final
He knew it would upset the Stonor Emily, but he wasn''t backing down.
Sophie''s heart raced. If Caleb breaks off his engagement with Eliza, doesn''t that mean I have a shot
And going by Calch''s usual behavior, she was certain that i the position of his wife would be bers
Though Sophie was sure of her victory, she had to keep up her "sweet, innocent little girl act.
swithout a doubt.
She forced a smale and, with a fake pout, tried to reason with Caleb. "Caleb, I know Eliza has done some things she shouldn''t, but isn''t this a little harsh? She really cares about you. Please, for my sake, can''t you just forgive her?"
When Caleb heard "Eliza really cares about you," it hit him like a bolt of lightning. Sophie''s right. This engagement has to end today, but if Eliza keeps pestering me, I have to make sure she understands there''s no chance between us!
Turning to Eliza, he spoke with icy rity. "Eliza, you need to understand―i agree to the cancetion.
-this
all on you, I would rather die than marry you, so you''d better
"To save face for the Stonor family, I give you one condition.
"But don''t get greedy. I''m only marrying one woman in this lifetime, and that woman will never be you. And I won''t take a concubine, either
Caleb''s words were harsh, practically screaming. "No chance of being my wife, and don''t even think about being a concubinel
He knew how deeply Eliza cared for him-if she didn''t, she wouldn''t have been chasing him for years.
But he couldn''t risk agreeing to any conditions she might try to
to use against himter. He had to make it crystal clear: Don''t even think about
in
Eliza, who had been silent up until now, finally let out a soft, mockingugh.
She looked over at Sophie, who was gloating, then shed a small smile. "Alright, I agree to your terms. Hur you did say you''d grant me one condition, didn''t you?"
"Of course" Caleb crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the drama. "As long as you don''t even dream of stepping into the doors of the Marquis''s estate. I''ll agree to whatever else you want."
Terled. Then swear it, right here, right now" Eliza''s smile widened, her eyes twinkling with challenge.
see who cracks first; she thought
You love to provoke me! Let''s see who crac
"Say it. Caleb Nevill. Say you''ll never marry any woman with the Stonor name" Eliza''s voice was firm, and her
At those words, both Caleb and Sophie''s faces immediately changed, their expressions faltering