Skylar Morrison removed the lily brooch from his chest and held it out to her, interrupting her daze. "I see you don't have any accessories. This brooch is a perfect match for your dress—the absolute finishing touch. How about you borrow it?"
"Oh?" Rosalind Lowell hurriedly waved her hands in refusal. "This is too valuable. Please, Mr... Skylar, you should keep it yourself."
"Just call me Skylar. It's only a small thing. I'm a perfectionist, so just put it on. It would make me feel much better, alright? Please?"
"Rosalind Lowell!"
Faye Lowell strode over irritably and snapped, "Who are you trying to hit on now? Go to my room and get my lipstick so I can touch up my makeup."
Rosalind's eyelid twitched. Skylar quickly pressed the brooch into her hand. "You take care of that. We can talk later when you're free."
"Er..."
"What are you standing there gawking for? Get going!" Faye snapped. She shot Rosalind a look, gathered her skirt, and walked off.
Rosalind gave Skylar a nod and headed for the deck with the cabins.
Skylar Morrison walked over to Alaric Davenport's side. Seeing Dexter Davenport was already giving his speech, he said, "He'll make the announcement as soon as he's done. Aren't you going to get in position?"
"No."
"Uncle Davenport is mainly using this anniversary party to announce your engagement. If you don't go up, are you just going to let her go on stage by herself?"
"Let her."
Seeing that getting another word out of him was like pulling teeth, Skylar shrugged. "The little sister is a piece of work, but the older one is great—well-mannered and educated. We hit it off. And I just learned from Rosalind that her sister is the one kicking up a fuss to marry you."
Alaric Davenport's gaze turned cold, but he remained silent.
'Already calling her "Rosalind" so familiarly?'
"Since you don't like her anyway, it doesn't matter who you marry, right? So you're just going to ignore the beautiful older sister? If you don't want her, I'm going to pursue her. Don't you go competing with me for her then."
"I won't." Alaric took another sip of red wine, his gaze following Rosalind as she came down from the deck above.
Rosalind handed the lipstick to Faye, then walked over to the side of the deck by herself.
His gaze was deep and unreadable, and all the while Skylar Morrison's voice chattered in his ear. "She's quite pitiful, really. She seems so timid and careful... I just want to protect her..."
As he spoke, he also looked in Rosalind's direction. "Oh, nice! See? The brooch really brings out her elegance. From now on, she'll have the Morrison family to look after her..."
"Once again, I'd like to thank all our guests. Today, on the occasion of our anniversary, I, Mr. Davenport, would also like to announce a major family matter..."
Alaric Davenport set down his wine glass, stood up, and walked toward Rosalind.
"Hey?"
Skylar Morrison looked completely baffled. "Didn't you say you weren't going up?"
"Want to get married?"
Rosalind, lost in a daze, was startled by Alaric Davenport's sudden appearance. "Huh?"
"I'm asking you. Do you want to get married?"
"But..." 'Isn't Faye the one marrying him? Does he have the wrong person?'
"One year. Is our previous arrangement still valid?"
Rosalind nodded numbly. "We did say that, but... are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Marry me. You're the one who needs this, aren't you?"
Rosalind gave a slight nod, a flicker of light in her eyes that quickly dimmed. 'I did need this at first, but now... it's impossible...'
"Then we'll do it. Leave the rest to me." His voice was deep, devoid of any warmth. As he spoke, he took her hand.
Her heart suddenly seized...
"Wait... Mr. Davenport..."
Rosalind let him pull her along, having no choice but to follow.
Just then, Dexter Davenport's voice was still echoing across the cruise ship. "My son, Alaric, is to be engaged to the younger daughter of the Lowell family! Today, I want you all to witness this moment with me. Please welcome the happy couple to the stage..."