“Absolutely yes” James insisted.

But before long a familiar carriage arrived, the Woodherl household. 

Both looked up from their bickering. Lord Woodherl was the first to leave the carriage, followed by Anis and at last sage. All were dressed up beautifully in dark shades of green. 

“Ah duke” lord Woodherl exclaimed as he approached Fennel. “Lord Woodherl, a pleasure, may I introduce Lord Sinclair, an old classmate of mine” all gentlemen bowed and turned to the ladies. “Lady Downbrey and Lady Sage, what a pleasure” Fennel kissed Sage's hand and bowed to her aunt. “Shall we go inside?” Anis was rather displeased to enter with the duke. She still hoped to find a suitable gentleman for her niece. Entering with a gentleman would make that rather difficult.

But Anis couldn't do much besides obliging so they all entered together. 

Fennel linked arms with Sage. “You look absolutely beautiful my dear” he remarked as he looked her up and down.

Sage smiled slightly “why thank you my lord, you too look very handsome”

Fennel smiled, satisfied by her compliment. Some already started gushing about Fennel and Sage, but Fennel couldn't care less about it. If anything he liked it, he wanted everyone to know they belonged together. 

Sage on the other hand felt rather displeased by the talking, she hated being the centre of attention. If it was up to her she'd rot away in the forest. 

“May I have your first dance?” Fennel then asked his lady. Sage just looked around, feeling all the burning gazes. She felt rather dizzy and panicked. “Sage?” Fennel whispered lowly, noticing her mood swing. “Ah yes?” Sage asked as she properly turned to him, horror and panic was written all over her face. “Are you feeling poorly?” Fennel gently grabbed her shoulders and led her into another less crowded room, followed by Anis. Lord Woodherl stayed behind with James, they got along surprisingly well.

“Apologies” Sage mumbled as she sat down on a chair next to the fireplace. She felt rather embarrassed, and even so more mortified by the fact that everyone saw her leave. How was she to ever go back?

Fennel kneeled down next to her. “My dear can I get you anything? A glass of water?” He was clearly worried about Sage.

Sage nodded then shook her head. “Something stronger please”

Fennel had to chuckled but nodded. He immediately left to get her a glass of champagne. 

Anis sat down next to her niece and patted her head. “Worry not dear, this happens to many ladies and gentlemen.” Sage nodded as she calmed down a bit. It was truly just the initial shock of having so many people stare at her. She never truly noticed until now how popular Fennel was. It was truly gut wrenching. 

“Here you go” Fennel handed both Sage and Anis a glass of champagne. Both drank it all in one go. Fennel raised his brows, slightly impressed. He handed the empty glasses to a nearby servant. “Better?” Anis asked. Sage nodded “better” 

And with that both stood up. 

Fennel linked arms with Sage again as they entered the main hall. A few worried guests immediately approached them to Sage's despair. “Are you alright dear?” “Did something happen?” Several questioners bombarded her. Fennel wrapped his arm around her and carefully maneuvered her through the mass. “Say something nice” he whispered into her ear.

Sage looked up for a moment, on closer gaze they all didn't seem too scary actually. Most were elderly ladies. Sage put on a smile and nodded “I just needed a moment, thank you oh so much for your concern” all smiled brightly at her and kept on gushing how charming Fennel was for helping her out. 

Sage felt panicked still but not as badly as before.

The first dance was about to start so Fennel immediately led her on the dance floor. 

Sage started dancing with him, luckily they started off with a slower dance. “I am truly sorry” Sage claimed as she locked eyes with Fennel. He immediately shook his head. “Don't be my love, everything is alright “ he replied with a smile.

Sage just sighed trying to not look around and notice all the staring eyes. “I knew you are popular, but I suppose I never realised just how popular you are until now” sage admitted with a shy expression. Fennel couldn't help but chuckle slightly. “Oh my, you really hate attention yes?” He remarked as he gently twirled her around. Sage nodded with a displeased expression. “Indeed so, very much”

Fennel sighed lovingly. “Don't worry my love you will get used to it in no time. Never forget I'm by your side” he smiled softly at her.

Sage looked at him with mixed emotions. A threat? Or an affirmation? Sage was so confused what to think. “Thank you” she simply said, not wanting to make it an issue. 

His true intentions will be revealed sooner or later.

They continued dancing quietly until the dance was over. “Another one?” Fennel asked, but before Sage could reply another gentleman approached. “Lady Woodherl, would you do me the honour of bestowing me your next dance?” He asked with a bow. Sage looked around between Fennel and the gentlemen. She was quite fairly overwhelmed by what to do. Fennel frowned slightly but Sage actually agreed. “ it would be my honour Sir. Duke Greenson we shall talk later yes?” Sage secretly hoped to reveal her feelings are nothing but a childish crush. Surely by dancing with another nice man she would be able to tell. So far he seemed gentle and sweet, almost like a golden retriever. 

Fennel watched them twirl around with a mix of emotions. As they weren't engaged yet there was nothing he could do. But the fact Sage agreed stung him deeply. Jealousy was written all over his face. Sage's father approached from behind with a grin. “My Sage is surely popular wouldn't you agree duke?” He enjoyed teasing him alot. Fennel just clicked with his tongue. “Indeed so” he was very unpleased with the situation. Even so more as he spotted a few mamas who just made their way with his daughters to him.”please excuse me for a moment “ Fennel claimed and rushed to the safety of the loo.

Sage on the other hand tried to make the most of her dance.

“My deepest apologies my lord, I didn't catch your name?” He smiled gently at her “earl Jackinson, at your service lady Woodherl.” 

Sage looked rather surprised “have we met before my lord?” He shook his head. “Unfortunately not but I am a business partner of your father.” He explained as he carefully turned her around.

Although he was way more pleasing than the other gentlemen Sage had encountered, the fireworks she felt with Fennel were nothing in comparison. 

“Oh I see, how charming to meet you here then” Sage replied with a sweet smile. The earl smiled back. They chatted some more during their dance but nothing was of importance to Sage. The dance ended and both bowed. “Thank you Lady Woodherl, I enjoyed our dance very much” he remarked with his big smile. Sage nodded with a less bigger smile. “I did too my lord” and with that the gentleman left her alone for now. Sage returned to her father who was still chatting with James. “Did you enjoy your dance with lord Jackinson?” He asked with a grin. “Did you put him up for that?” Sage replied with a frown. Sage was surprisingly good at reading people she was close with. Her father just chuckled in reply. “I think you should look after lord Greenson, he left for the loo, surely he will be back any moment.” Her father was very pleased with his reaction. James couldn't help but grin slightly, lord Woodherl had let him in on the plan after all.

Sage nodded with a sigh and made her way to the hallway. Surely he hid away somewhere here. She too had noticed the horde of ladies coming after him. Now that she thought of it she would hate seeing him dance with another lady, yet she carelessly agreed to dance with other gentlemen. Part of her felt bad, then again she wondered if all of that was just an act as well.

It didn't take her long to spot him, he was chatting with a group of gentlemen. Sage walked in closer, hoping to eavesdrop- and she wasn't sure just how to approach him anyway. 

“I always wondered when you'd take a wife” one of them remarked with a chuckle “I didn't expect it to be a wallflower though” Fennel smiled politely, however Sage could see a glimmer of displease in his eyes. “I prefer wallflowers as it seems, anyway I am very contempt with my splendid choice” another chimed in “quite the surprise, then again we should be thankful that you leave gemstones for us” the others chuckled. “I wonder if the gemstones share your sentiment” Fennel remarked then added “anyway gentlemen, my beautiful wallflower is waiting for me and I'd rather spend my time pleasantly” and with that Fennel left, he too had spotted Sage. “My love” he said as he linked arms with her and led her back towards the main hall. “Eavesdropping?” He hushed with a grin. Sage blushed slightly but shot back “how else am I to figure out your true intentions my sweet?” Fennel just laughed “are you pleased with my conversation?” 

Sage thought for a moment “I like being a wallflower, so yes” Fennel smiled softly at her “you are so much more than that my dear” then his mood shifted as he remembered just how she danced with another man.

“A very curious one” he added with a displeased smirk. Sage blushed even more. “He is just a partner of my father” she muttered. “You didn't know that earlier” Fennel remarked, having seen her confusion before.

Sage looked away. Fennel stopped waking for moment and made her face him. His hand had a firm but gentle grip on her chin. “For someone as possessive as yourself you are acting rather liberal” he remembered her remark about not wanting to share what's hers when they talked about other ladies previously. Sage wanted to look away again but his hand forced her to look him in the eye. “It is my duty to find the best suited husband for myself. How can I tell without interacting with suitors?” She truthfully replied. Fennel's eyes sparked with hurt then he seemed cold. “I see” he said and let go of her chin. Instead he grabbed her hand and pulled her after him. “Fennel I-” she mumbled, not having intended to hurt him. “Please don't worry my lady” he replied as he pulled her after him. Sage bit her tongue knowing she would make everything worse if she kept on talking. 

Before long they were back in the main hall, standing in front of Sage's father. “Lord WoodherI must excuse myself for tonight. James come on” and with a bow he left. Sage felt her cheeks burning as she stood silently next to her father, gaze lowered. 

“Did something happen?” Her father asked with a rather confused gaze. Sage just nodded lightly. “You plan turned around” she mumbled, although she knew no one else was to blame but herself. 

“Oh that's pitiful” he said with a small nod. “Don't worry my bird, such things happen. It will all be resolved in no time.” Sage wasn't ao sure. She was aware that she hurt him, but at the same time she was being truthful. She needed a proper husband, but was he the one? 

She wanted it to be true.

But she knew, rationally, he was possibly dangerous and putting on an act. Of all the men in town, she should stay away from him.

But somehow her heart kept aching for him.