Page 37 of The Perfect Rose

“Mine or yours?”

“Both of ours, Miriam,” he choked out. “You and Samuel, me and . . . All of it is ruined.”

“What is wrong with Samuel?” she prodded, almost as gentle as a mother with a small child.

Frederick dropped his hand and looked at her. She was smiling. “Are you happy for him, then?”

“You’re not making a lick of sense, Frederick.” She bit back her smile even though her eyes were still rimmed red. “Now, why was I crying?”

That seemed to be a trick question. Had she ever said anything except ‘Lady Rose’? “I’m walking into a trap, aren’t I?” He pushed out a breath and felt curiosity and hope.

“Probably.” She laughed and he sat up.

If she could laugh right now, he’d certainly come to the wrong conclusion. “So Samuel is not engaged to Lady Rose?”

She shook her head with her lips pursed between her teeth.

“Then why in the world were you crying?”

“I was crying because I felt so badly for Lady Rose. She has been ill used by her family, by me, by society in general. And she has no idea how to feel about you. But she is closing off her heart. She doesn’t want to be bargained with anymore. I was crying because she doesn’t deserve any of that, and I feel wretched that I’m partially to blame. And I’m afraid of what will happen for her. She might very well accept Mr. Redford when he gets her alone to propose to her, and if she does not, her mother has made an arrangement with Lord Hanby to propose to her at the ball on Friday evening.”

Frederick shot to his feet. “Then what was she doing in the library with Samuel?”

“Samuel was telling Rose about her mother’s machinations with Lord Hanby. Apparently, the Dowager isn’t as deaf as she appears.” Miriam smiled.

What a turn of events this was. Lady Rose was not engaged to his best friend. Miriam was not crushed by heartache. “What day is it, Miriam?” He ran a hand through his hair.

“Wednesday.”

“Then I have three days to convince her to love me.”

Miriam jumped up from the bed and clasped her hands. “Yes! I knew it! I knew you loved her! You must go to her, before she does something stupid like accepting Owen.”

Frederick looked at his sister. “Do you think she would?”

“She has said as much. Apparently, he needs her more than anyone else she knows, and she is confident that he will be kind to her.”

He tore through his bedchamber and out the door, then, taking the stairs two at a time, he rushed to the library only to find it empty. He ran back upstairs and all the way to Rose’s bedchamber, the furthest room from his own he’d been able to find for her. Why had he been so stupid? He knocked, breathing hard.

The door to his left opened and the countess walked out. “What is this?” She looked down her nose at him.

“I’m searching for Lady Rose. Do you know where she is?” He tried to act like he hadn’t just run the length of the house a few times, but he wasn’t covering his exertion well.

She looked him up and down with narrowed eyes. “And why would you like to see her, Mr. Hastings?”

Knowing what he did, that Lady Gardner wished Rose to marry Lord Hanby, he couldn’t very well tell her that he intended to spill his heart to her daughter. “Miriam was upset, and I thought perhaps she could cheer her up.”

Lady Gardner’s face softened slightly. “I have not seen Rose all morning. She is likely taking a walk with Lord Hanby. The two have been getting along so well these last few days.”

Frederick wanted to snort, but he held himself in check and bowed instead. “Thank you. And good morning.” He turned down the corridor and forced his legs to walk slowly. The change in pace allowed him to think. He couldn’t just find Rose and tell her that he loved her. She’d never believe him after what he’d said to her previously. He needed a plan.

He continued walking until he found the butler. “Do you know where I might find Lady Rose?”

The butler bowed. “I believe she went riding. Stuart and her lady’s maid were to accompany her on an errand.”

“Did she say what her errand was?”

“No, sir. But she had a parcel with her, tied with a pink ribbon.”