“Then he has been on his best behavior.”
“Certainly, and I must admit that it has given me pause for thought. Although I value my own company, it is pleasant to share experiences with someone else.”
Lydia’s eyes widened, and she gasped. “Are you suggesting that I have been right all along?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Rose said, wanting to appear guarded. “I certainly don’t believe Edmund is the type of man I wish to marry; I am merely saying that I can better understand the appeal.”
“Well, I believe he has something special planned for your next outing.”
“Oh, really?” Rose arched an eyebrow. “And what would that be?”
“I am not sure exactly, and I wouldn’t even tell you if I did. Surely it would be better if you were surprised?”
“I am not sure about that,” Rose said, and began to wonder what Edmund might have planned. In all honesty, it was difficult to anticipate a man like him. He seemed to have wild ideas, and given that his whole philosophy revolved around experiencing life to the fullest, he might well have planned anything.
“He did mention that you set out rules for him. I never realized you were so particular about things, Rose. You have never mentioned a concern about getting your shoes muddy to me,” Lydia said with a knowing smile, and her words began to tremble with laughter.
Rose couldn’t hide her delight.
“I wanted to test him to see how sincere he would be.”
“You are terrible.”
“Well, I couldn’t very well make it easy for him. I never asked for this in the first place.”
“No, but it does not seem to be bothering you as much as you thought it would. I know that if you were truly unhappy, then you would put a stop to it.”
“True, although he did spend an awful lot of money.”
“When have you ever given a thought to other people’s money?”
Rose shrugged. “Well, I must be honest with you and say that Edmund isn’t entirely as I thought he would be.”
“Oh? In a good way, I hope.”
“Perhaps. I am not quite sure, in truth. Although I know that responsibility was thrust upon him at a young age and he has done well in taking care of you and Charlotte, I did not think there was a serious bone in his body. Yet when we were standing before the paintings, a certain mood came over him.”
“What kind of mood?”
“A dark one,” Rose said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “The first was when we were standing before a painting depicting a village beneath a storm, and the other was of two lovers parting on a beach. He said something about some things being lost forever. Do you have any idea about what it might refer to? I did consider the possibility that it had something to do with your parents, but then when we saw the paintings of lovers… was there ever a special woman in his life?”
“There are probably many women who believe they have been special to him, but no, nobody stood out. I am not entirely sure what could have come over Edmund. He has never shown any sign of this behavior before. Regarding my parents, Edmund has always taken it in stride. He was the strong one for Charlotte and me. Nothing ever bothers him. Life just rolls off him like water off a duck’s back.”
“I see,” Rose said, furrowing her brow, deep in thought. There was something puzzling about Edmund, some aspect of him that was slipping between the gaps of her and Lydia’s experiences.
The meeting got underway soon after this, although Rose was not as vocal as usual. Instead, she was dwelling on Edmund, what he might be hiding, and what he might have planned for their third promenade.
She realized then that there would only be two outings left after this. She was going to have to be more overt with her opinions if she was going to play the role of a scorned woman at the end of all this.
So, when she and Lydia parted ways at the end of the group, Rose clasped her hands tightly.
“Lydia, would you do me a favor and pass on a message to Edmund for me?”
“Of course, what is the nature of the message?”
“Tell him that I am looking forward to whatever he has planned for us, and that he would do well to listen to his wise sister as she has great insight into many things,” Rose offered a sweet smile, while Lydia blushed. Her eyes were filled with delight, and Rose knew that something had been planted. Her plan was in motion, and when the final promenade was over, Edmund would leave and declare that while he had enjoyed his time with Rose, he did not intend to marry her.
Then, she could pretend that she was overwhelmed with despair and would never have to worry about having a romance forced upon her ever again.
