Page 21 of A Billionaire Gentleman

I wasn’t sure how Ronall had anything to do with me working at the office, but I’d take it if it meant I was actually going to do real work.

“In fact, we’d like to make things more permanent sooner rather than later. Make sure Aurelia’s taken care of, even when she’s away at school.”

More permanent?

I was starting to feel like I’d missed something important.

“Here.” He held out his hand, and even when I saw the ring, I still didn’t get it. “We want you to propose. Tonight. Before she leaves for school.”

I stared at him, my mouth going dry as a bone. “We barely know each other, and you want me to propose to her?”

“I understand it’s fast, son.” Dad squeezed my shoulder. “But, when it’s right, is it ever too fast?”

I was sure there was an argument I could make, but I was still too stunned to think of anything beyond what I’d already said.

“It’s not just for her either,” Dad kept going. “Holden Enterprises is a family business, but none of you boys have expressed an interest in starting a family. The Kane family money comes from oil, but they’ve gotten out of the business aspect of things. Ronall’s boys have taken their trusts and made their own ways, but he feels like his legacy is ending too. Bringing our two families together is a solution that’s best for everyone.”

Best for everyone? Including Aurelia and me? Or were we just a means to an end? I didn’t like thinking that our fathers saw us both like that, but this was all just too much.

“Deklin, it has to be you. You’re the only one who can do this for our family.”

I’d always wanted to hear him say those words, but I’d never thought they’d be in reference to marriage. Not that marriage had really been on my mind. I hadn’t even wanted to think about it until I’d established my place in the business. But, if thiswasthe responsibility my family needed of me, could I really refuse and then complain that they weren’t trusting me with anything?

“Does she…has Ronall talked to Aurelia about this?”

“More or less.”

I didn’t like the sound of that, but a woman being surprised by a proposal wasn’t exactly odd. A lot of women liked that kind of surprise.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait a little while? I mean, we’ve only been dating for a couple months, and she’s leaving tomorrow. Wouldn’t Christmas be a better time for it?”

“Ronall’s concerned that people at her school might try to take advantage of her since it’ll be her first time on her own. Knowing that she’s engaged to a family with our sort of clout will make people think twice about it.”

That rationale made sense, in a way, even if it did seem to be too extreme, but I could understand Ronall’s concern. Aurelia had always been taken care of, and to go from that to being miles away from family, living on her own, would take quite an adjustment. And even if I wasn’t entirely sure about the physical attraction between us, I did want to protect her.

Besides, it wasn’t like I had anyone else in mind.

The friendship was already there, providing a fertile field in which love would grow. In time, we could build something solid.

I held out my hand, glad to see that it was rock steady. I could do this. For my family. “All right. I’ll do it right after dinner.”

Dad set the ring onto my palm and gave me one of his half-hugs before heading for the dining room. I hung back for a minute, looking at Mom’s ring and wondering what she would think about all of this.

She’d have liked Aurelia, I decided. And she would’ve wanted me to be happy. I tucked the ring into my pocket and joined the others at the table. Aurelia was next to me, but the conversation stayed so thick during the meal that I barely got a word in to her. It didn’t quiet down until the dessert had been served, and Dad gave me a pointed look that I took to mean that it was time.

I took a deep breath. I could do this. Would do this.

“Aurelia.” I took her hand, and she looked at me, startled at the unexpected touch. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I think that we’ve found we’re a good fit together.”

Everyone but Dad and Ronall looked confused, but I plunged ahead even as my heart hammered in my chest. Sliding from my chair, I went down on one knee before I could rethink my actions. The entire room went still.

“Will you marry me?”

Davin muttered something under his breath that I was sure was a curse, but I ignored him. This was between Aurelia and me. Sure, Dad and Ronall had their hands in it, but it was ultimately our decision to make.

She looked from me to her father and then back to me before nodding, her face a bright red. I slid the ring onto her finger as Dad and Ronall congratulated us. I heard Cynthia in there too and something perfectly polite from Davin, but I just kept my eyes on my fiancée as I stood up.

I supposed this was an appropriate time for that first kiss, but I’d make it brief and chaste, not wanting to embarrass her further. I bent toward her but was stopped when Grandad’s arm went around my shoulders and yanked me up straight.

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