The air between them cooled even further as Fern stiffened. “Ben,” Rose managed, gesturing vaguely in his direction as heat flooded her cheeks. “This–this is Ben, he—”
“Benjamin North.” He extended his hand even as he cast a sideways glance to Rose, the unease palpable.
“Dr. Alexander Carroway,” Alex said through a clenched jaw. “And my wife, Fern.”
Ben’s throat worked as he took Alex’s hand, barely managing a nod before he released it and shook Fern’s hand. Rose’s eyes burned, her breath hot and angry in her lungs as she attempted to push out the words that had been endlessly repeating in her head for two years.
How could you abandon me?
Do you miss me?
I love you.
“Will you come have tea with us?” Fern asked, her brows drawn together as she reached for Alex’s hand. “We haven’t spoken in so long, and I have so much to tell you. I’ve written to you but I never heard back—”
The movement of her arm separated the front of Fern’s cloak, and Rose’s eyes fixed on her sister’s protruding belly. Her lips parted as the edges of her vision dulled, and the ringing in her ears turned to a steady thrumming, so loud she could only make out fragments of Fern’s words.
“I thought you knew,” Fern stammered, resting her palm on the swell in her abdomen. “I told everyone when we visited this summer… I was sure they told you.”
“Rosie.” Ben’s whisper pierced the fog and Rose sucked in a shuddering breath as the press of his fingertips grounded her, the warmth of his presence causing her blood to flow once more. “Rosie, do you—”
“I can’t have tea with you.” The words burst from her throat, and Rose felt a glimmer of satisfaction seeing the hurt cross her sister’s face. Rose had hurt for so long, it served Fern right to experience some pain herself. “I’m quite busy, as you can see. Changing the world for the better.” Rose’s laugh sounded forced, shrill, and Fern winced.
“I see.” Fern’s eyes glistened. “I’m—so happy for you. As long as you’re happy. Mama just worried, and I worried—”
“I am happy,sohappy.“ The last word broke, and Rose swallowed against the lump in her throat.
Fern bobbed her head stiffly, and Alex’s face softened as he pulled his wife closer.Alex is her family now. And the baby.
Once again, Rose had been set aside for someone else. Her place in Fern’s life was gone, and who was to blame for it? Fern had tried to repair their relationship, to apologize and make amends, but Rose had refused it, claiming the moral high ground.
But who was Rose to deny her sister happiness? Rose always had the best, the most attention, the finest clothes, the most handsome suitors… Rose had repeatedly wished the world could see how wonderful her twin was, then resented her when Fern found the love she deserved. Resented her family for forgiving their youngest daughter, forgiveness Rose was unwilling to offer.
Had Rose been the villain in the story all along?
“I’m not going to Boston.” Her words sounded like they were coming from a far distance, from a person other than herself. “And you can tell Mama I’m not going back to Oxford, either. I’m staying here.” Without waiting to witness the impact of her statement, Rose turned and ran.
Chapter 27
Overthetermoftheir acquaintance, Ben had wondered many times if Rose was capable of being simultaneously awake and silent. But as he watched her stare sightlessly out of the window of their cab as they wound their way to Brooklyn, he was desperate for her to speak, to gain any insight into her thoughts.
He’d barely caught up with her as she fled the park, catching her hand and paying handsomely for a ride back to Willow Street, but it had been like riding with a ghost.
Her sister, her twin. Ben had pictured someone cruel, for how could anyone want to hurt a woman like Rose?
But hadn’t he done the same thing? Ben had taken pains to push Rose away, to make sure she knew she was not wanted. What differentiated his actions from those of her sister and her family? But he would keep her close now, give her whatever she needed.
Rose’s declaration in the park had flattened him, stunning him enough that it took him a full minute to realize she had run before he took off after her.
I’m staying here.
The words that sent him into a fury when she first arrived on his doorstep weeks ago now sounded like a benediction from the almighty himself. She would stay. She wasstaying! His heart tumbled around in his chest like a small bird, fluttering and nearly weightless. This impossible woman had resurrected him, given him a second life, and he did not want to wait a moment longer to start.
Rose alighted from the carriage before Ben could help her, and he followed her quick strides into 138 Willow. The moment the door closed, she pressed him against the wood and flattened her mouth to his. “Take your clothes off,” she whispered against his lips, already working the buttons of her blouse.
Heat rushed through him like a lit fuse, but he pulled back from her kiss. “Rosie, we need to talk first.”
“Briar Rose.” She nibbled at his bottom lip and his resolve nearly melted away as he lost himself in the feel of her, the clean soap scent of her hair, the taste of salt on her skin, the confidence in her touch. The English Rose was gone, replaced with this tremendous, formidable creature, Briar Rose.
