Page 61 of The Perfect Rose

Against her better judgment, she gave him an honest answer. “I have heard rumors, Lord Hanby.” She took a breath.

“Miss Haybury’s mouth has run amok again, has it? She has no evidence of her wild claims, I assure you.” He stood and paced to the window.

Rose’s mind drew a blank. Miss Haybury’s claims? “Pardon me?”

The flat stare he gave her set her nerves on edge. “I will not pretend that you do not understand the implications of claims. But I have never set a hand on her.”

Rose blinked and her stomach curdled. She’d taken her curiosity too far and needed to change course. Truthfully, she didn’t even want him to explain further or she would be sick; there were some things better left unknown. “I see. And what of the betting book at White’s? Is it true that you have bet upon my marrying you before Christmas?”

He smiled. “A friendly wager, I assure you. If nothing else, this would go to show you that my intentions toward you have been single-minded for some time now.”

Rose stood from her seat; she couldn’t even feel surprised at his lack of shame. “I will consider your offer, Lord Hanby, and alert you of my decision at the end of the night.” She dipped her head and took measured, deliberate steps to the door.

Lord Hanby caught up to her and opened the door before she got there, bowing to her as she made her way from the room. He tucked her hand in his arm as he escorted her back to the ballroom, and Rose noticed that he pasted a smirk on his face.

He could put on any show he desired. Rose would not stoop so low as to make anyone else believe that she was happy with the prospect of marrying the viscount.

The sound of laughter and music became increasingly louder, and as it did so, Rose felt her heart quickening. Frederick would be in that room, and Miriam, and the dowager duchess. She needed to speak with one of them. Before she could turn into the room, Lord Hanby stopped her progress and brought her hand up to his lips. “I anxiously await your decision, Lady Rose, and I know we will suit each other well.” He put forth an arm to allow her into the bustling room first.

Rose resisted the urge to shake the hand he’d laid his lips on. A sensation of spiders skittered up her arm from the contact. As they parted ways, Rose looked for a friendly face, but Frederick and Miriam were nowhere to be found. She did spy Lady Gilfordshire sitting on a chair against the wall, her eyes glued to her son dancing with Miss Trenton. Rose made her way to the elderly woman. “May I sit next to you?”

The dowager smiled. “Of course, my dear. You look pale as a ghost. What has happened?” She patted the chair next to her.

Rose slumped into it as gracefully as she could manage at the moment. “Lord Hanby has made me an offer of marriage.”

She nodded as if Rose’s response was expected. “And, what did you tell him?”

“I told him I must consult with my mother and that I would let him know an answer at the end of the evening.” She blew out a tense breath. “I’d known he was going to ask for my hand. But now it has happened. If no one else proposes to me tonight, I will be forced to marry either him or Mr. Dillard. My mother will not deny him. I feel as if my time for waiting for dreams to come true is over.” Were her two best choices really to be between a drunken baron or a boring viscount that couldn’t keep his reputation intact?

Lady Gilfordshire put a hand on Rose’s knee. “Take a deep breath, my dear. We still have at least an hour left in the ball.”

Rose did as the duchess instructed and took a deep breath. It didn’t help. “What if I went upstairs and packed a valise? I could run away. Surely you have need for a lady’s companion. I could come stay with you and we could take walks and embroider and visit to our hearts’ content. No one would go looking for me, I’m quite certain of it.”

“That is beyond ridiculous. I know a good many people who would look for you, one of which you would very much like to see.” Rose watched the woman look over the small gathering of dancers. “Where is Frederick?” She glanced at Rose.

“I . . . I have hardly seen him tonight.”

“And if he is not here, there is no way that scamp could possibly sweep you off your feet.” The dowager pushed down on Rose’s leg as she helped herself to stand. “I must insist you accompany me for a set, my dear. I need some fresh air.”

“Yes, Please. Anywhere but here,” Rose pleaded.

They slowly made their way around the dance floor and out onto the terrace that overlooked the gardens. As soon as they left the glittering ballroom, Lady Gilfordshire quickened her pace. Rose followed alongside her like an obedient little puppy. They took the steps more slowly and wound their way into the rose garden.

Rose could hear movement and whispering coming from behind the fountain in the center of the garden, but the shadows of the night made it impossible for her to decipher who it was. She met eyes with the dowager, who smiled back at her. “It sounds like the siblings are squabbling.”

“The siblings?” They turned the corner and there was an ashen-faced Frederick, and Miriam, her hands moving as quickly as she was talking.

The siblings both turned upon Rose and Lady Gilfordshire. Frederick’s worried brow melted from his face as he ran toward Rose and took her elbows in his hands. He rested his forehead on her own. “Tell me I am not too late.”

Rose could not hold back the tide of tears. Far too many things had been weighing on her raddled heart. So many things were too late. For one, there was no way for Frederick to fix this unless he went against his better judgment. And Rose didn’t want him to offer for her out of pity. If only Rose had understood sooner what it was Frederick meant to her, she could have tried to win his heart. But no, her time was out.

“Of course you are too late, Frederick,” Lady Gilfordshire cut into the moment. “This poor girl has needed you for far too long and you, my boy, have been dragging your feet. Now, stop arguing with your sister and make it up to this damsel in distress.” She paced toward Miriam and took her hand. “I’m going to wait on the other side of this fountain with my future daughter-in-law.”

Rose’s eyes flew to Miriam and she smiled through her tears. “Oh, Miriam, I am so happy for you,” she whispered with a trembling voice.

Miriam’s entire countenance sparkled. “Thank you, Lady Rose.” Lady Gilfordshire pulled on Miriam’s arm and began dragging her behind her. “We’ll talk soon, I promise.” She laughed and put her arm around the dowager’s shoulders as they walked around the corner.

Frederick hadn’t released Rose’s elbows throughout the entire interaction. His touch was making Rose lightheaded. She needed space to breathe. She took a step away from Frederick, and swiped at the tears on her cheeks. Frederick handed her a handkerchief and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry, Rose. This isn’t at all what I had planned for. I don’t know what to do.”