“He doesn’t want you compromised.”
“It won’t matter. I’ll be forced to marry him regardless.”
“Never give up hope, Lady Rose.”
“We would need a miracle,” Rose said.
“They’ve been known to happen.”
She searched his face, tracing the contours of his cheeks and jawline with her eyes. “Do you have a dream? Something you wish for with all your heart? One that would require a miracle? Other than your fixation on revenge, that is.”
He blinked. “I cannot think past that point to make room for any other dream.”
“Then I shall pray for you to have one. And now I must go.” She held out the book for him to take. “I hope you’ll enjoy this one. You might find it overwrought.”
“I shall report back. Thank you, Lady Rose.” He glanced down at his feet. “No one has looked at me for a long time. Thank you for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m an invisible man to most. You’ve made me feel otherwise.”
“Your station in life should not be all that anyone sees,” Rose said.
“You know as well as I that it is and will always be so.”
She bowed her head, her throat tightening. How she wished she could stay with him instead of going to greet Baron White and the rest of the guests. Worst of all, there was something else she dreaded even more.
“What is it, my lady?” Sebastian stepped closer.
She looked up and into his beautiful dark eyes, struggling to find the words. “My father’s…” She stopped, swallowing hard. “My father’s mistress will be coming today. He plans to marry her once he’s rid of me.”
“Is this why he’s so anxious to marry you off?”
“Yes. She told him she would not marry him unless I was no longer here. She’s had a series of misfortunes, leaving her without the funds to sustain the life she enjoys. Thus, she will marry my father.” Rose shivered, despite the warmth of the morning. “She’s horrid. She despises me, and the feeling is entirely mutual.”
“I’m sorry to hear this, Lady Rose. If I could offer some comfort, I would.”
“As I would for you.” She smiled at him, then took a shaky breath. “I must go now.”
She turned away quickly, walking with measured steps across the lawn, not trusting herself to look back lest he see the tears that had already begun to fall.
*
The first gueststo arrive were Viscount Gresham, Sir Philip Easton, and Lord Ellsworth. Rose stood beside her father on the front steps of the manor, greeting each in turn.
Lord Gresham was as Rose remembered. Polite and distinct, with an air of sadness in his striking blue eyes that made Rose curious about his past. What tragedies had befallen him? Regardless, Rose could almost feel the reluctance he felt at being there. Like her, he was expected to marry soon and produce an heir.
“Lady Rose, how well you look.” Gresham took her gloved hand to brush his lips softly against her knuckles.
“Thank you, Lord Gresham, as do you. Welcome to Wentworth Manor.”
Next, bowing politely, she welcomed Sir Philip Easton. He grinned before kissing her hand. “Lady Rose, you’re more ravishing with every day that passes.”
“Thank you, Sir Philip. You’re too kind.” She smiled back at him, charmed by his obvious zest for life. His thick blond hair fell attractively over his forehead, framing light blue eyes that seemed to perpetually twinkle. If only it were someone like him that her father would consider. Although he had a rakish reputation, he was fun to be around, full of good humor and teasing. But with his precarious financial situation, her father would never consider him an appropriate match.
The last of the trio, Lord Jonathan Ellsworth, trailed behind the others, clearly distracted by the beauty of the estate. He lingered over a pot of flowers, leaning close to smell a foxglove. She noticed his cufflinks were slightly tarnished, and he fidgeted with them nervously—small signs of financial strain that tugged at her heart. He was of an artistic nature, an accomplished pianist who could be relied upon for entertainment, though his lack of ambition was well-known.
Rose’s dear friend Lady Daphne Merriweather had become besotted with Lord Ellsworth during the Season. This worried Rose a great deal, but if her own fate was sealed, perhaps she could at least help her friends find happiness.
