The Rogue King's Surrogate novel Chapter 85

“Mother, you should calm down,” Claire Dwight said as she studied her reflection in the tall mirror. “Really, you look like you have eaten something sour. Don’t you care about your wrinkles at all?”

Then Claire frowned. She was dressed in a sky–blue gown that fell straight without shape. Her makeup was barely there, light foundation, a faint tint on her lips. She tilted her head from side to side, unimpressed.

“Are you certain Young Master Bennet likes it simple?” she muttered, frowning. “Because this doesn’t make me beautiful at all. Look at me–I look pale. Sickly. This color makes me look like I haven’t slept in days.” She tugged at the sleeve with irritation. “Why couldn’t we choose something bold? Red. Black. Something that actually shows I’m worth looking at. Maybe even fuchsia?”

Vanessa didn’t respond. She sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, still stewing from her fight with Samuel the other night. She hadn’t seen her son since, but he was certain he would be there tonight. Samuel just couldn’t pass this opportunity up. Just the thought of seeing him was already enough to ruin her night.

Claire’s lips twisted, and she let out a spoiled huff. “Mother, stop wasting so much time worrying about Samuel. Once I marry into the Bennet family, who cares about the Ardens? They can pound sand or eat it for all I care. They’re not even half as influential as the Bennets. Why should I have to bother with them?”

That finally earned a sharp look from Vanessa. “What do you know, Claire?” she snapped. “Even if the Ardens aren’t on the Bennets‘ level, they still hold influence. Do not underestimate them. And don’t forget, Talia losing her child made things worse. The Ardens are furious, and we cannot afford to sever ties with them right now.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “So what? Let Samuel deal with them if they’re so important. I’ll be Mrs. Bennet, and then we’ll have the upper hand.”

Vanessa’s glare hardened. “This marriage needs to happen, Claire. The Arden alliance is not optional. Samuel can take a mistress if he wants, I don’t care, but this marriage must be secured.”

Claire’s nose wrinkled at that, but she didn’t argue further. She knew when her mother’s tone left no room for negotiation.

“And don’t you even think about wearing something fuchsia!” Vanessa hissed. “This event is going to be the night that you finally met James Bennet. You need to make an impression.”

“How is wearing this dress making an impression?”

“Just listen to me, will you? I’ve done my research. James prefers women who keep it simple,” Vanessa said firmly. She recalled how Emery had shown up in plain clothes that day, not even wearing makeup. To Vanessa, it was proof enough, Emery knew James’s preferences and had used it on purpose to catch his

attention.

Claire groaned, glaring at her own reflection. “Even if he likes it simple, how is he supposed to notice me if I look like this? I don’t even have proper makeup on. What kind of man prefers women who look plain? All men want the most attractive woman in the room, simple or not.” She dabbed at her cheek with the back of her hand, as if proving how washed out she looked.

She spun toward Vanessa, her frustration building. “And don’t tell me otherwise. I’ve seen pictures of him

9:26 Mon, Sep 15 d.

Chapter 85

:

60

55 vouchers

before. He’s been with women who wore black, beige, even deep colors that stood out. Black is my color, Mother. If I wore black, I’d look stunning. Why shouldn’t I wear it?”

Vanessa’s patience snapped. She shot up from the bed, her eyes narrowing. “Because you’re missing the point!”

Claire froze at the sharp tone, but Vanessa pressed on.

“The point is not to blend in with the rest of them, Claire. Tonight isn’t about being the most beautiful woman in the room. Everyone will come in dripping with jewelry, in bold colors, and covered in makeup. They’ll all look extravagant, and if you dress like that too, you’ll disappear into the crowd.”

Claire crossed her arms, still pouting. “But black—”

“Listen to me!” Vanessa’s voice cut her off. “If there are a hundred colorful flowers in a bouquet, do you notice each one? No. You only think the bouquet is beautiful as a whole. But if there is one flower that looks different -odd in a beautiful way–that’s the one you notice. That is what you need to be tonight.”

She jabbed a finger toward the mirror. “You don’t need to be the flashiest. You need to be the one that draws his eyes because you are not like the rest. Emery understood this, and that’s why Samuel looked at her. Do you understand me now? Men are just like that, Claire. They are simple creatures.”

Claire pressed her lips together, sulking, but the argument made sense. She looked back at her reflection, tugging once more at the pale blue sleeve. “Fine,” she muttered, though clearly unsatisfied. “But if he doesn’t notice me, I’m blaming you.”

Vanessa folded her arms, her expression firm. “If he doesn’t notice you, then you did it wrong. And I won’t accept failure.”

Claire stared at her reflection for the umpteenth time and let out a sigh.

“Besides, you look fine,” Vanessa said, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Just remember, appearances are only part of it. What matters is how you carry yourself. Speak smart, act sophisticated. Mr. Bennet will be drawn to that.”

She adjusted the strap of Claire’s gown and gave a sharp nod of approval. “Now, we should go. Tonight isn’t only about him. I’ll also be introducing you to some of my friends, people whose opinions carry weight in this circle. They will talk, and what they say will shape how others see you.”

Claire sighed but nodded, running her fingers once more along the smooth fabric of her dress. She hated everything about it, the color, the cut, the way it made her look pale, but her mother did have a point.

If marrying into the Bennet family was the price, then fine. She could suffer through one evening. Once she was Mrs. Bennet, she would wear whatever she wanted. She would drape herself in diamonds, demand custom gowns in every shade she liked, and never again be forced into something so plain,

Her lips curved at the thought. With the Bennet name tied to hers, she could have everything she ever wanted, power, status, money. All those women who once looked down on her would have to greet her with forced smiles. They would envy her. And Samuel? He could rot with his precious Emery for all she cared. She would win the better prize.

“Do not fail me, Claire. This is the night you seal your future. Every word, every glance, every move you make

9:26 Mon, Sep 15

Chapter 85

…

will matter. Remember that.”

:

60

55 vouchers

Claire turned from the mirror, her eyes gleaming with the idea of it. “Fine, Mother,” she said, her tone smug now. “Let’s go. The sooner this is done, the sooner the Bennet fortune is mine.”

AD