Page 13 of The Duke's Auctioned Spinster
“It does,” Rose replied, then stood up. “It was a pleasure meeting you,” she said toward Charlotte and Alfred, then turned to Lydia. “I shall see you soon. Thank you for the company.” She then turned to Edmund, and for a moment it looked as though she was going to say something, but instead she turned her attention to Luke.
“Goodbye, Luke,” she said, pointedly avoiding saying anything to Edmund. She walked out of the room. Edmund watched her leave, thinking that she was going to be quite impossible.
“I will take him now,” Charlotte said, opening her arms to her child. Luke nestled into her arms as if he belonged there, and then Charlotte led Alfred out of the room. Edmund was about to follow them when Lydia spoke to him in a cold voice.
“How could you do this?” she said.
Edmund turned and was surprised to see her fair and gentle features contorted with anger. Fists clenched at her sides, and her eyes burned like two glowing coals.
“Do what?” he asked, puzzled.
Lydia rolled her eyes and flung her arms into the air.
“You know exactly what! Rose is my dearest friend, and you are going to ruin everything.”
“Would you have preferred it if I allowed Lord Whitcombe to win?”
Lydia faltered. “No, but still… of all the women in London, why her?”
“I do not know. I did not design this. But I am not going to ruin anything, Lydia. She will remain your friend after this is done. What do you think I am going to do?”
Lydia leveled her gaze at him.
“That is what I am afraid of, brother. I know what you are like.”
“Whatever you think of me, I will not seek to sully her reputation. We are going to spend some time together, nothing more. Besides, she is not exactly the kind of woman who appeals to me. She is disagreeable, spoiled, and stubborn. To be quite honest with you, I shall be glad when this is all over. And I am sure when all is said and done, you can both have many a laugh at my expense.”
“Just be kind to her, Edmund. Please. I don’t want this to cause strife between her and me.”
Edmund took Lydia’s hand and squeezed it tightly.
“I have always looked after you, Lydia. I promise that you will not suffer because of this,” he said. Lydia’s temper was calmed. She nodded softly and squeezed his hand back.
“Please keep that promise, Edmund,” she said, looking directly into his eyes. Edmund nodded solemnly, and then Lydia left.
He looked at the couch and noticed that there was a ribbon left where Rose had been sitting. Edmund picked it up and wrapped it around his palm. It was red, the same shade he had seen rising to her cheeks more than once. She had some sharp edges and was not shy about sharing her opinion, so at least these five meetings would not be boring.
And he was amused by the fact that he could get under her skin so easily. He would have his little fun, as always, and then he would move on.
Chapter Six
Rose was beginning to regret letting Edmund plan everything. For all she knew, he might take her on a ride down to Southampton and then sail across to France.
And how on earth could I prepare for that?
Even now, she had been waiting all morning, and now part of the afternoon for him to call. She was beginning to think that he had forgotten about her.
She wore a plain dress that reached the ground. She pulled elbow-length gloves up her arms, protecting her skin from the chill. She searched for her favorite ribbon, but she could not find it. It was not like her to misplace anything, but she had searched the whole house. The last time she had worn it was when she visited Lydia, so she would have to ask her to find it when they next had their book group.
Instead, she grabbed a blue ribbon and pulled her hair away from her face, tying it so it rested against the back of her neck. She took a deep breath and went down the stairs. Her parents were waiting for her, their faces anxious with anticipation.
“Remember to be polite,” Thomas said.
“Do not speak too much about yourself. Ask questions about him, and do not feel as though you have to go on about all your books either,” Margaret said.
“Make sure he knows he is welcome to stop by here anytime,” Thomas added.
Rose nodded along. It was easier to pretend she would follow all these instructions than to tell her parents she would handle this her own way. They did not speak for long because the carriage approached outside. The horses came to a stop. Thomas and Margaret hugged Rose, and by this point, it was clear how much this meant to them.
