“Then we just need to convince Mr. Linden that he’s wrong!” Rose’s ebullient words fell like lead, and Ben looked up in time to see the bright expression fall from her face.
“It’s not so simple,” he said, drawing out each word.
“Can’t someone simply explain it to him? Perhaps he has met none of the women the bill would impact.”
“He socializes with the finest families of New York and spends most of his time at that awful club with my father and his cronies,” Abby said, crossing her arms over her chest as her cheeks flushed. “They’re the only people he listens to.”
“And we’re not getting any invitations uptown,” Cass added.
Ben sighed. Garrett scowled.
Rose sat up, her eyes sparkling. “He doesn’t knowme.What if I secured an invitation?”
“How would you do that?” Garrett asked.
“That might be the most logical question I’ve ever heard from you,” Abby quipped, and Cass shushed her, leaning towards Rose.
“My friend from Oxford, Timothy,” she said, the slight tremor in her voice making Ben want to sit by her side, take her hand again.Feel her touch once more. “He’s mentioned friends from uni who live in New York and frequent that circle. I could ask him for an introduction.” Her nose wrinkled as she thought. “Mr. James Astor is someone significant, isn’t he?”
Garrett released a choked laugh. “Significant? He's from the most powerful family in New York. His father is hosting the event.”
Rose beamed. “Then I’m certain he can arrange for an invitation. I can telegram him tonight and have it handled.”
Ben’s stomach hardened as he pictured this Timothy, a pompous ass who had never done a day’s hard work in his life. The affection Rose held for the Englishman was obvious, and while Ben knew their marriage would only be one of convenience, he still felt the sudden desire to sail across the ocean to punch him in the jaw.
Where in the hell did that urge come from?
“And you would persuade Linden to change his mind?” Cass asked.
“I could try.”
“But Abby’s father would recognize you,” Ben interjected. The ache in his chest intensified, his lungs compressing. This seemed unsafe, too risky compared to the reward. If it were anyone else, he would consider it, butRose?“You’d be caught out.”
“My family is in Newport,” Abby cut in, her eyes hollow. “It’s my mother’s birthday, and they always…” She trailed off, and Cass wrapped her arms around her, pulling Abby’s face onto her shoulder.
“Could your friend introduce you with a pseudonym?” Garrett asked, leaning his elbows on his knees.
A smile spread across Rose’s lush lips. “Without a doubt. An Englishwoman is a novelty, especially one with an introduction from a marquess.” Three sets of questioning eyes stared at her. Rose lifted her chin. “He’simportant. And if there is one thing I can reliably manage, it is charming the upper crust.”
“It’s not abadidea,“ Cass said.
Garrett nodded. “It’s brilliant.”
Abby sniffed and looked towards Ben. They all did.
He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. This entire plan hinged on Rose dipping back into her English life, the whirl of high society she claimed to want to escape. Would she still want to stay in Brooklyn afterwards?
Did he want her to stay? Ben shifted in his seat. “It’s a lot to ask of you—”
“You don’t think I can do it.”
All eyes shot to Rose as those full lips twisted and brow pleated. She was still beautiful, even when angry.
“It’s not that,” Ben hedged, “but you only just learned this was an issue, when we’ve been doing this work for years—”
“I can learn. I’m not stupid.”
Ben lifted his hand and faced his palms towards her, as though expecting her to attack. He wouldn’t put it past her. “I didn’t say you were. But the suffrage society, we all live for this—”
