Page 50 of The Perfect Rose

Bless Miriam. Frederick had almost lost his opportunity to spend time with Lady Rose this morning what with all the gentlemen vying for her company. A game in the garden would give Frederick an opportunity enough to spend time with Lady Rose. Miriam volunteered to be the first seeker, and Frederick found himself hunting for Lady Rose more than hunting for a hiding place. He’d taken off in the same direction as Lady Rose, but he’d lost her at a turn early on within the hedges that separated the rose garden from the rest of the flowers.

“Oh Mr. Hastings,” Miss Haybury’s voice grated on Frederick’s nerves from behind; he turned. “You simply must help me find a good spot to hide. You are far more familiar with the layout of this garden than I am.” She batted her eyes and stepped up so close to Frederick that he took a step back.

He swept his gaze around the expanse of shrubs, statues, benches, and the fountain, all encompassed by a riot of green and color. Where could he put Miss Haybury so that she would be entirely out of the way? One corner of his mouth quirked up. “Follow me, Miss Haybury.”

She threaded her hand through his arm without invitation and he led her toward a small bench hidden behind a particularly dense bush. Even if someone came into this space, unless they knew of the bench’s location, she would be hidden from view. “You will be concealed here, I assure you.”

She sat on the bench and her eyes filled with a look of determination. She heaved herself forward and giggled. “Oh, but you’ll know just where to find me, won’t you? It is such a cozy little space here.”

Frederick bowed as stiff as a log split in two and nodded. He certainly knew where he would avoid for the remainder of the game, that much was certain. Miss Haybury had paid Frederick little to no attention until today. Why was it that she was practically throwing herself at him now and hinting at clandestine meetings? He jogged away from the spot putting as much distance between him and the conniving female as he could.

He heard a swishing of skirts and turned his head toward the sound. Could it be Lady Rose? He treaded softly so as to not give away his approach and peeked around a marble archway leading back into the rose garden. He spied the toe of a half boot peeking out from behind the base of the archway. Frederick leaned the opposite direction and caught sight of Lady Rose’s unmistakable head of chestnut hair.

Her hiding spot was good, but it was too small for him to squeeze into as well without crossing multiple lines of propriety. Instead, he circled her location and knelt behind a large rose bush. A few feet separated them, and although Rose was not visible, he knew she was there.

Talking to her might scare her, but he didn’t intend to waste an opportunity such as this. They were practically alone. He took a steadying breath to speak when Miriam entered his line of sight. Frederick closed his mouth again, daring not to give away his location. Miriam spotted him as she rounded the fountain, and Frederick quickly brought his finger up to his lips, silently begging her to act oblivious to his location.

She narrowed her eyes at him and shrugged her shoulders. “I was certain I heard noises coming from this direction,” she mumbled to herself as she passed his hiding place.

Miriam turned and made her way to another section of garden.

“Lady Rose,” Frederick whispered.

He heard a sharp intake of breath to his left. “Who is there?”

“Guess.”

She sighed. “Do you honestly believe I don’t recognize your voice, Mr. Hastings?”

Frederick smiled. “Ah, but you have not called me by the correct name.”

He couldn’t hear anything above his own breathing and heart pounding in his chest.

“Frederick, I would know your voice anywhere,” she whispered.

Chills raced through Frederick’s body. Hearing his name on her lips would never get old. “Today is a big day for you. How are you feeling?”

A long silence stretched out between them. “I have felt more at ease.”

Frederick chuckled. “Your life is about to change drastically, and all you can say is that you’ve felt more at ease.”

“It is the truth.”

“Yes, I believe that.” Frederick sighed. “Have you . . . have you made any decisions yet?”

He felt her sigh again. What he wouldn’t give to be able to hold her in his arms and reassure her that all would be well. But he needed to know where he stood.

“Yes,” she answered. “I have made some decisions.”

What? Frederick’s blood ran cold. His entire plan was based on the idea that she had not made up her mind as to which gentleman she would accept. He cleared his throat. “And are you satisfied with your decision? Am I to wish you happiness?” Bile crept up his throat. Had she accepted Lord Hanby or Owen? Her decision between the two would alter his arguments that she reconsider.

Voices caught Frederick off guard. Owen and Miriam walked straight toward him, with Miss Haybury trailing in their wake. Miriam laughed. “What a ridiculous hiding spot, Frederick. I don’t know how I possibly didn’t find you until now.”

Miss Haybury giggled. “Oh, he gave his best hiding spot to me. I’m sorry you ended up behind that prickly bush, Mr. Hastings. I never did like roses.”

Frederick chaffed at the comment. Knowing Miss Haybury as he did, he was certain that her comment meant more than just the flowers. “Ah, but with a rose is where I truly belong, Miss Haybury.”

“If you spend too much time among roses, you are sure to be pricked by their awful thorns,” she countered.