Free All the Things You Never Knew by Angealica Hewley Page B

burst into tears and pull herself together. “I really wish…that was true.”
She would have given anything to have Leon back with her. It’s just…It’s just that it’s too late and she can’t…She can’t love him anymore. Their time is over. She doesn’t love him anymore!
“Rosy.” Susannah set down the list and came to her. “I know Leon hurt you before and you have every reason to be mad at him, but if you knew…”
Susannah trailed off wanting to tell Rose but can’t. She made a promise to Leon. She can’t tell Rose until he grants her permission.
“If only you knew how much he loved you,” she finishes reluctantly. “And how much he wanted–”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Rose said, smiling grimly. “I’ve made my decision. I know you adore him, but he…” Rose sighed and fell on the bed. “He just can’t be mine anymore.”
“Crazy! What do you mean? You have every opportunity ahead of you!” Susannah burst. “Lord, if I was you, I would do anything I could to have him back again.”
Rose thought the idea intriguing, but she can’t turn back now. She is getting married. She doesn’t know how many times she had told herself that.
“ You’re getting married…you’re getting married…you’re getting married,” she chanted to herself all the time. Yet, it always ends with, “to Leon…to Leon… . to Leon. ” God, ever since that day Susannah told her of Leon’s return, he was all that fills her head. She tried so hard to wipe him out. She acted as if she doesn’t care but her heart says otherwise.
Must she still hold a torch for him after all these years?
She thought she had been cure of that foolish love. Must he still make her heart yearns so?
“Rosy, listen to me,” Susannah said, turning Rose’s shoulders to face her. “I want you to know something. I know you’ve made your decision, but there’s one more thing I hope you will do…for me…as your friend, that is.”
“I don’t know,” Rose said, looking away. “You’re not so proper.”
Susannah gave an unlady-like snort and pulls Rose’s curls playfully. “Like you was proper kissing that marquess.”
“More proper than you,” Rose shot back.
“Okay, perhaps more than me.” Susannah didn’t want to argue. “But anyhow, would you please listen and do this once for me?”
Rose didn’t know whether to answer yes or no. Susy always get the worse out of her and she doesn’t want that. But considering all the good deeds Susannah had done, Rose figure it wouldn’t hurt to listen.
“All right,” Rose said. “What is it that you want me to do?”
“Please confront Mr. Heartily before marrying Lord Lansing,” she said.
It nearly took the breath out of her.
“What! I can’t!” Rose blurted suddenly.
“Yes, you could. You just don’t want to,” Susannah countered.
“Both,” Rose retorted. “I can’t and I don’t want to!”
“Why ever not? Are you too coward to do so?”
“Whatever trick this is, it’s not working,” Rose replied. “I’m not confronting him.”
“But you have to.”
“Why ever would I do that?”
Susannah was lost in reply, but then it struck her. “Because I sent him an invitation to your wedding.”
“You…” Rose couldn’t believe it. “You…what?”
“I sent Leon an invitation to your wedding,” Susannah repeated.
“You–How could you!” Rose was suddenly filled with indignation.
“You said I could invite anyone.”
“But not him!” Rose bellowed. “Who else did you invite?”
“His whole family,” Susannah said, smiling weakly.
“What?”
This is just horrible.
“Why did you do that?”
“They’re just guests,” Susannah said with a roll of her eyes. “Don’t overreact.”
“I’m not!”
“Well, the invitations are out already.”
Anger flared in Rose’s eyes as she looks up at Susannah. “This was your plan, wasn’t it? Trying to bring Leon and I back together? Well, sweetheart, it’s not going to work.”
“Never hurt to