If He Loves Her, She Loves Hi-

Part two of "I do, but I don't..."

Tonight was the night Alaina had been waiting for. She would finally get away from her life. It was an easy plan, and after she did it, she’d be free. 

 All this time Aliana had been pretending to entertain the idea of marrying Lord Hempsworth, but of course, she never intended to marry him. She was very good at pretending. 

 Alaina was supposed to go to tonight’s event and interact with Lord Hempsworth–Henry, as she’d been told a time or two-, but that wasn’t what she planned on doing. She would stay for a few hours, then say she needed to retire. 

 No questions would be posed, and Alaina would be free to leave. She would go ‘home’, where she conveniently packed her bags to be ready to leave. 

 Alaina had been waiting for the perfect opportunity. Her maid had placed the dress she was to wear on her bed. It had already been pressed. The color was lilac and had black lace on it. The matching kid gloves had been placed beside it. 

 One more night, and I won’t have to do this anymore, Alaina thought. 

“Alaina, are you ready yet?” Mother asked impatiently. 

“Almost, Mother.” 

 When she finally had her full attire on, she opened the door and flew down the stairs. 

“Mother, I’m ready now.” 

 Mother had been reading a book when Alaina came out, “Good, you’re ready. I believe your father is having the carriage prepared.” 

 As the carriage was brought to the front, Alaina couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Let’s hope her plan went without difficulty. 

 Henry Knowles glanced around the ballroom and spotted Alaina. She was smiling as she strode towards him. 

What was she up to? He thought. Alaina never smiled, especially not while she approached him. The girl was certainly doing or planning something. He knew that was not how she acted on a regular basis.  

 If she was going to play this game, he too could play. Alaina certainly wouldn’t be prepared for that. This was going to be an interesting night.  

“Good evening, Lord Hempsworth.” Alaina said. 

“Good evening.” Lord Hempsworth said without so much as a look in her direction. 

 What was he doing? Alaina thought. Usually, he would look at her without a single thought, but tonight, however, he hadn’t looked at her at all. 

“The ballroom looks quite full this evening, doesn’t it? Soon, there will probably be no room for anyone else,” Alaina hinted.  

 Even though she didn’t prefer to dance with him, tonight she wanted to. 

“Well, I presume you’ll want to watch the entire night, rather than dance.”  

 It was bold of him to presume that. 

“What do you mean?” 

“It’s quite obvious that you prefer to not dance with me.” 

“I never said that.” 

“Yet, you implied that every time I suggested the notion of dancing.” 

“I did not. I always accepted your invitations.” 

“All the while looking as if I had kidnapped you.” 

Well, that took it too far. 

“Well, I never.” 

“You’re so surprised, but I think you’re well aware of what you’re doing. You seem to do everything with thought.” 

“Oh, I understand what you’re trying to do.” 

“What am I trying to do? Because it seems you’re the one attempting something. I noticed it the second you entered with a smile on your face. Every other night, you come in miserable, but tonight was different- I knew you were planning something.” 

 Alaina was flabbergasted. He knew she was acting differently? He noticed. The thought made her blush. Did he care what she was doing? Her thoughts were paused by him speaking him again. 

“I will not entertain whatever you’re planning. You really think you could get away from this? Runaway from our ‘engagement’?” 

 He truly did know. She blushed again. 

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Don’t feign innocence, Miss Smith, it won’t change what I know.” 

“What do you know? Or is it just a forthcoming assumption?” Alaina asked. 

“What sizeable words you use. It’s a commendatory thing you’re an excellent pretender.” 

“I’m not pretending!” 

“You’re causing quite a scene.” 

“Oh, that’s how it is? Well, two people can act like that.” 

“Act like what? You are the one who started it all, If I’m correct.” 

“How did I start something? I started nothing.” 

Lord Hempsworth shifted the conversation. “What are you planning?” 

 Her plan was failing. What should say? Anything too much would reveal everything she had been waiting- longing for. She couldn’t let everything be destroyed so easily. 

“What do you envisage I’m planning?” Alaina said, daring him to answer. 

“I think I already know what you’re planning, but I want to hear it from you. Just say the words.” 

 Should she? Should she say the words? 

“I was intending on doing something tonight. I thought it would be for the best, but now I’m not sure.” 

“Second thoughts?” 

“Maybe. There is too much I hadn’t thought through. Maybe there’s more to this than I originally thought.” 

“Hm, that is interesting to hear from you. Everything you do is with a lot of thought.” 

“You just go along with everything. No matter what it is. Like you did when you found out about our ‘engagement’.” Alaina said, her voice laced with sarcasm. 

“Maybe I wanted to marry you.” 

 Lord Hempsworth had said it so casually that Alaina believed every word he said. It wasn't easy to understand, though. He wants to marry her? Of all the people in the world, 

he actually wanted to marry her.  

“I hope you don’t mind my boldness, but I’ve had my eye on you since your coming out two years ago.” 

“But you never approached me. I don’t understand how that could be.” 

 Henry explained, “Soon after your coming out, my father had told me I was betrothed, but he didn’t tell me who it was. I was unable to seek you out.” 

“I was unaware you felt this way about me.” 

“Yes, I’m sure you wouldn’t have been aware. Well, it wasn’t until a few months ago that I knew you were my betrothed.” 

“I thought you had known all along.” 

“I hadn’t. At least, I didn’t know it was you.” A smile appeared on his lips. 

 Alaina soon found herself smiling, too. Maybe Lord Hempsworth wasn’t so bad. There was definitely more to him than she had first assumed. 

“Do you think you feel the same way?” Lord Hempsworth asked. 

It caught her off guard. She realized there was more to him, but she wasn’t sure she knew how to answer. This was getting more complicated by the minute.