The rejection was direct and unequivocal. Caitlin had never been one for ambiguity or leading people on.

Will was floored. What? She had actually rejected him. She rejected him!

In his mind, no woman could resist such a fantastical display of affection. He was

a Lord of Valerium, a real-life Prince Charming. Weren't all common girls waiting for a prince to sweep them off their feet? Why was she so indifferent?

And this was the second time she had turned him down. Did she not need a prince? But every woman wanted a Prince Charming.

Will felt his confidence shatter. "May I ask why I'm not to your liking?" he asked, trying to understand.

Caitlin's lips parted. "Attraction doesn't need a reason, and neither does the lack of it."

"I won't give up on you," Will declared.

"Don't waste your time on me," Caitlin said, massaging her temples with a hint of weariness. "I already have a boyfriend, and I love him very much."

A boyfriend? Will didn't believe it for a second. Who could possibly be more charming than him? In his entire life, the only man he had ever conceded was superior was the formidable Master from Eldermere, but he was known to be uninterested in marriage and there had been no news of him dating anyone.

With that, Caitlin turned to Celeste. "March, let's go."

Celeste, still in a daze, finally snapped out of it. "Oh, right."

"Excuse us," Caitlin said, leading Celeste past Will.

Will stood there, dumbfounded and in utter disbelief as he watched her walk away. He couldn't believe she had just left. Wasn't this the kind of proposal every woman dreamed of?

Why? Why did she reject him? Was the gesture not grand enough for her?

What stung the most was that she hadn't even given him a second glance. He

was royalty! The youngest Lord of the Windsor family. Didn't she want to climb the social ladder and become a Lady?

For years, Will had moved through a

garden of beauties without ever being tempted to pick a single flower. He had dated countless women from Valerium and beyond, of all shapes and sizes. He thought he had seen it all. But he had never met anyone like Caitlin. She looked at him as if he were some sort of monster.

Even Ham, standing behind him, was speechless. In the ten years he had served

Will, he had never seen him face such a setback.

Will's eyes narrowed. "Ham, come here."

Ham quickly approached. "My Lord, what are your orders?"

"Prepare an even grander proposal," Will commanded. "I will win her over."

And once he did, he would discard her with cruel indifference. He would make her

taste the bitterness of love, make her regret ever turning him down today.

All men possessed a desire to

conquer, and for a man like Will, it

was an integral part of his being. His life had been a smooth,

unchallenged journey where he got everything he wanted. The sudden appearance of someone like Caitlin triggered his defiant nature. The more unattainable she seemed, the more he had to have her.

Even if his feelings for her weren't genuine, even if it was just a fleeting whim, he was now committed. Her rejection today could only mean one thing: his proposal was too sangple.”

Once he prepared something truly spectacular, she would surely

accept.

FindNovel.net

Will could hardly wait to see the tears streaming down her face. The scene, he mused, would be absolutely magnificent.

***

Celeste followed Caitlin out of the hotel. It wasn't until they were safely in a taxi that she finally spoke. "Catie, what was that all about with Will? When did you two even meet?"

Caitlin replied, "I think we only saw each other once, in the elevator this morning."

Celeste stared at her, first in shock, then in awe. "He did all that after just seeing you in an elevator this morning? He must have fallen for you at first sight!"