“Have you ever considered studying what you love, doing the work that makes you happy?”
Alex laughed, giving her a wry smile. “Not all of us have the privilege, Fern.”
Fern bit her lip. This entire day was a disaster. Not only had Alex completely missed the opportunity to see Rose, but Fern had made a fool of herself and Alex, then insulted him for providing support for his mother.
She prepared herself for her sister’s censure as they approached the meadow, where Rose and her friends watched them approach with astonishment on their faces.
“Mr. Carroway?” Rose gasped. “Fern, what—”
“I was enjoying a punt when I happened upon your sister,” Alex said smoothly, a bemused smile on his lips. “She had gotten stuck and unfortunately, her boat overturned while I attempted to extract her.” He laughed, as though the entire encounter had been nothing but amusement. “The only casualty was poor Miss Dickinson’s poetry.”
Rose cocked her head to the side. “Miss Dickinson? Was she in our class at cotillion?”
Fern watched as Alex regarded her twin carefully, as though uncertain how to respond. Fern decided to rescue him. “Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Carroway,” She removed his jacket and handed it back with trembling fingers.
“How kind of you to rescue my hapless sister.” Rose beamed, placing her hand on Alex’s arm. “I always dread boating with her, as she always becomes stuck.”
“I’m simply happy I could be of service,” he replied, smiling at her upturned face.
Fern scowled, then handed the picnic basket over to Rose. “Mr. Carroway, you left this in the punt.”
He looked at Fern for a moment as he took the basket, then turned to her sister. “Miss Rose, would you be so kind as to join me for a picnic? I’m afraid I overpacked, and I should probably dry off a bit before I return to class.”
“We’ve already eaten, but I’d be delighted, given your heroic rescue of dear Fern,” Rose gushed. “Caroline, Lottie, may I introduce you to Mr. Alexander Carroway. He is a top scholar at Oxford, bound for the London School of Economics next year.”
The ladies had been studiously admiring Alex’s form, now obvious under the damp clothes sticking to his skin. A rush of possessive fury swelled as they admired the arms and chest that had held her earlier, then quickly dismissed it.I have no right to be possessive, she scolded herself.He belongs to Rose, not me.
Alex smiled as he donned his coat, clearly bemused by the attention. “A pleasure, ladies. Would you care to join us as well?” The ladies twittered as they flocked around Alex, who had taken Rose’s hand in his arm, leading the party back into the meadows.
Fern stood frozen on the path, her dress stuck to her shivering body. Alex looked back, and for a moment she saw what she hoped was regret in his eyes. “Miss Fern,” he hesitated. “Would you like to come along?”
A quick thrill rushed through her, then vanished when she saw Lottie and Caroline stiffen. Her stomach sank as she shook her head to decline, leaving the party to continue along the meadow.
She was not wanted. Even Alex had only invited her as an afterthought. Rose was the prize, as she always would be. And Fern would forever be the runner-up.
Chapter 14
“Isn’thedelightful?”Roseleaped onto Fern’s bed and bounced twice before flopping on her back with a dreamy sigh.
Fern grimaced from her position on her window seat and pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders, forcing her gaze to her novel. Despite having changed from her soaked clothing, her bones still retained a persistent chill.
“What a stroke of luck Alex happened upon you!” Rose said with a grin. “He was absolutely lovely with the girls, we could have talked for hours had Mama not needed me.”
“Oh?” Fern mumbled, her eyes glazing over but remaining on the page in front of her.
“You should have heard his stories about playing cricket at school. Did you know he was quite the athlete?”
Fern gave a non-committal hum.
“Lottie couldn’t stop gushing about him,” Rose continued, giggles lacing through her syllables. “How handsome he is, thoseeyes, oh, it was glorious.”
“You want your friends to be jealous of you?” The words escaped before Fern could censor the judgemental tone.
“No, I don’t want that,” Rose replied. “But I certainly wouldn’t mind having him on my arm at the Henderson ball in July.”
The image of Alex, dancing with Rose the way he had with her, made jealousy sink its ugly claws into her gut.
“I never should have worried about him, he’ll be a smash.”
