Page 72 of A Virgin for the Forbidden Duke

Agnes faced her mother’s tirade with a newfound resilience. Mary’s words echoed like distant thunder, a backdrop to the inner symphony of joy playing within Agnes’s heart.

“Agnes, have you lost your senses?” Mary’s voice trembled with a mixture of anger and concern. “You invited scandal by dancing with the Duke. Do you realize the consequences of your reckless actions?”

Agnes turned to face her mother, her eyes sparkling with a mix of defiance and contentment. “Mother, I know what I’ve done, and I stand by my choices. I love Matthew, and I won’t let societal expectations dictate my heart.”

Mary’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Love? Agnes, this is not some romantic novel. We have responsibilities, and you’ve jeopardized everything. What about Ewan? What about our family’s reputation?”

Agnes took a deep breath, steadying herself against the storm of her mother’s disapproval. “Mother, I’ve tried to fit the mold you’ve crafted for me, but I can’t deny my heart any longer. I won’t sacrifice my happiness for the sake of appearances.”

Mary’s frustration reached a crescendo. “You’re being selfish, Agnes! Do you think love conquers all? We live in the real world, not some fantasy.”

But Agnes, emboldened by the love she had found, held her ground. “Mother, I won’t let fear dictate my life. And if you try to interfere with my happiness, I won’t hesitate to reveal the family secret you’ve hidden for years. Rose’s elopement was not a scandal. It was a consequence of the choices you forced on us.”

Mary’s face paled, the color draining from her cheeks. Agnes seized the opportunity to turn away, unwilling to let the confrontation mar the joy she had discovered.

“I love Matthew, and I won’t let anyone stand in our way,” Agnes declared, her voice firm. Without waiting for her mother’s response, she walked away, leaving the weight of her revelation hanging in the air.

Mary wouldn’t let her be as she screamed after her, telling her she would regret her actions.

But Agnes, wrapped in the afterglow of love, paid little attention, especially now that she was done with whatever it is her mother had to say. She ascended the grand staircase with a lightness in her step, the ornate banisters serving as silent witnesses to the profound shift in her world.

Replaying Matthew’s declaration, Agnes reached her room, a sanctuary that now felt different—imbued with the echoes of shared confessions and stolen moments. She closed the door behind her, shutting out the disapproving world beyond.

Seated at her vanity, Agnes looked into the mirror, and for the first time in a long while, the reflection staring back at her seemed unburdened. The glint of happiness in her eyes radiated like a beacon, overshadowing the weight of familial expectations and societal judgments.

In the dim glow of her room, Agnes allowed herself to relish this newfound happiness. The complexities of family secrets and societal norms momentarily faded, eclipsed by the simplicity of love.

Matthew’s promise to visit tomorrow echoed in her heart, a melody that harmonized with the symphony of joy playing within her.

Her contemplation was interrupted by the intrusion of her parents.

The grandeur of her room suddenly felt smaller, as she watched her parents walk in.

Mary’s disapproval and Benedict’s stern expression created a charged atmosphere, threatening to overshadow the joy that had filled Agnes’s heart.

“What were you thinking, Agnes?” Mary’s voice sliced through the room, a disapproving crescendo. “You cannot simply defy our wishes and jeopardize everything we’ve worked for.”

Benedict’s stern gaze added to the pressure, his disappointment palpable. “Your actions have consequences, Agnes. Do you understand the gravity of what you’ve done?”

Agnes, however, found herself standing on a precipice between compliance and rebellion. The shackles of familial expectations had chafed at her for far too long, and in this moment of clarity, she refused to succumb to their restrictive grip.

“No, Father, Mother,” Agnes countered, her voice carrying a newfound resolve. “I won’t allow you to dictate the course of my life any longer. You couldn’t control Rose, and you won’t control me.”

Mary’s eyes narrowed, a mixture of anger and frustration in her gaze. “Agnes, you are being reckless. This infatuation with the Duke will bring ruin to our family.”

But Agnes, fueled by the strength of her convictions, stood her ground. “I love Matthew, and I won’t let fear dictate my choices. I won’t live a life of pretense to satisfy societal expectations.”

Benedict’s expression softened, a hint of paternal concern surfacing. “Agnes, we only want what’s best for you. The Duke is not a suitable match.”

Agnes, however, was resolute. “I won’t let you dictate my happiness. If you couldn’t accept Rose’s choices, you won’t control mine. I won’t be a pawn in the game of societal expectations.”

The room echoed with the tension of unspoken words as Mary and Benedict faced off against Agnes. Mary’s frustration transformed into outright anger, her voice a sharp instrument cutting through the air.

“Agnes, this is not about control. It’s about protecting our family’s reputation,” Mary insisted, her eyes flashing with determination. “You’re jeopardizing everything we’ve worked for.”

Benedict added, his tone stern, “Your actions reflect on all of us, Agnes. The Duke is not an appropriate match, and you must consider the consequences.”

Agnes, however, stood firm, her newfound resolve lending her strength. “I won’t live my life based on what others think is appropriate. I love Matthew, and I won’t sacrifice that for societal expectations.”

---