Page 63 of The Perfect Rose

When Frederick laid Rose down on Lady Gilfordshire’s bed, he felt as if he laid his heart there with her. Was that to be the last time he would be allowed to hold her close? And she hadn’t even been awake for any of it.

The countess stepped up beside Frederick. “I would appreciate it if you fetched the duke, Mr. Hastings.”

Frederick looked to the dowager duchess. She nodded firmly to him and put a hand on his arm. He took one last look at Rose and left. He ran down the stairs and used the bottom post of the railing to swing himself into the corridor. He straightened his jacket and stepped into the ballroom. Miriam was dancing with Lord Hanby, and Miss Trenton was dancing with Mr. Quentin Redford. But where was Samuel?

He looked into an alcove that opened into the ballroom. Owen Redford was sitting with Miss Coolidge with that look in his eyes. Frederick swallowed. He would be interrupting two people who were growing to care for each other a second time this evening. “Owen, I need your help.”

“Is it time? Are you going to ask her?”

Frederick’s breathing came fast. “Not yet. I’m . . . I’m looking for Samuel. Lady Gardner has requested his presence upstairs. Do you know where he is?”

Owen looked at the floor. “He said something about a chair and then he left.”

Frederick pursed his lips together. “Perfect. Owen, I need you to keep an eye on the rose garden. When you see Lady Rose seated in an incredibly decorated chair, please quietly tell the guests that something is happening out in the garden. I would highly appreciate an audience when I propose to Lady Rose, but her mother must not be made aware of it.”

Owen nodded. “I can do that. And Mr. Hastings . . . I’ve watched the way she looks at you. Everything will be fine.”

Frederick clapped Owen on the shoulder. “I pray you are correct.”

He tore down the terrace steps out to the rose garden and saw Samuel’s legs behind a moving mass of flowers. “Samuel,” Frederick swallowed, “Lady Gardner has requested you go up to your mother’s bedchamber. Rose fainted and she’s in there with the two of them. I’m afraid I have no idea of what she intends with you there.”

Samuel put the chair down and arched his back when he straightened. “Breathe, Freddy. It’s not like she can do much with my mother there.”

Frederick nodded. “I made her faint. Everything is going wrong. I can’t find the bouquet, the ball is a disaster, and I made Lady Rose faint because I was too late. Lord Hanby has already proposed.”

“You mean, Frederick Hastings has made a plan and it has not gone at all as he predicted?” Samuel chuckled. “Why am I not surprised? Of course Lord Hanby asked for her hand; did you expect him to drag his feet with the way she looks at you?”

Frederick’s shoulders drooped. “I knew he would propose first. That was the plan all along. But then she was crying and fainting, and then Lady Gardner told me not to offer for her in marriage, and now she wants you up there. The whole night is a disaster.”

Samuel looked Frederick straight in the eye. “How has all that happened in the course of three dances?” He shook his head. “You go up to the ballroom and dance with Miss Haybury or Miss Trenton. I’ll not have Miriam’s ball fall short of her expectations. I will go see what these women want with me. I’ll convince Lady Rose to rejoin the party. But then, it’s on you. So you’d best go learn how to smile again. This serious side of you is not nearly as fun to be around.”

Frederick blinked and Samuel had disappeared into the house. Frederick placed the chair in the center of the garden, facing the terrace, and followed his friend inside.

Chapter Forty-three

Rose heard voices around her, but she was having a difficult time opening her eyes. She could have sworn she heard her name.

“She’s obviously been crying. What on earth could have caused that to happen?” It was her mother’s voice. And who were they talking about? Had Rose been crying?

Rose fluttered her eyes open. Her mother was speaking with Lady Gilfordshire. The dowager raised her chin at her mother. “Do you truly not understand?”

Fire flashed in her mother’s eyes. “I understand what my daughter needs. I am her mother after all. And you have known her for a handful of days; do you presume to know her better than I?”

The door opened and the duke walked into the room. He bowed. “You sent for me?”

“Yes,” Rose’s mother said, “at what point do you intend to offer for my daughter’s hand in marriage?”

Rose gasped and all three heads turned toward her.

Lady Gilfordshire chuckled. “Well, that is one way to wake up, isn’t it, dearest?”

Rose looked into each of their faces. “What has happened?”

Rose’s mother gave a hollow laugh. “You fainted. Like a frail society bumpkin, Rose. That is what happened. And what is more, you were crying before that. Have I taught you nothing?”

The reprimand stung, but not nearly as badly as the memory that came crashing down on Rose from her words. Frederick had told her that he was too late, and he’d apologized for it, as if there was nothing he could do to fix the situation. He’d given up on her, and she hadn’t been able to take the blow. She should have never allowed herself to dream. She felt tears stinging the backs of her eyes.

The duke cleared his throat. “Lady Gardner, I have no intentions of asking for Lady Rose’s hand in marriage. You see, I am already betrothed.” He dipped his head.