“You have never been shy in being honest about his reputation.”
“Even so, he would never hurt a woman. While he is rather… frivolous about life, he is not a bad man. And he will at least keep you entertained for five promenades, although…” Lydia said, and Rose noticed that her features were pinched as well, and hereyes bore the mark of a woman who was not entirely happy with the situation.
“Although…?” Rose prompted.
Lydia dispelled the thought and placed her hand on Rose’s arm.
“It does not matter. What matters is that Edmund won the bid from Lord Whitcombe.”
“And why is that so important?” Rose asked. Lydia had always been more interested in matters of thetonthan Rose was. She turned to look at Lord Whitcombe, who still looked annoyed. He was a man of a stout body and strong features. Thick whiskers framed his face. He checked his pocket watch so fiercely that he almost ripped it from the chain.
“He has a reputation for causing scandal. It has been rumored that a maid left his employ after carrying his child. And there are whispers that his old business partner was left penniless and now haunts the streets of France because Lord Whitcombe cheated him out of his fair share.”
Rose raised her eyebrows.
“I see. Then perhaps I have indeed escaped an awful situation and am now facing a mildly terrible one.”
“Why would your parents do this?”
“My father whispered that he had no choice. They still cling to the hope that I will get married, and now they are getting desperate. I dread to think what they will stoop to when this plan does not succeed.”
“Indeed,” Lydia said.
Rose tilted her head. “Is that all you have to say? Usually, you try to persuade me that my pessimistic attitude is unwarranted. Are you not going to tell me to keep my mind open for the possibility of love, no matter how remote?”
Lydia wore an amused smile.
“If it were any other man, then I might well be saying those very things. But this is my brother. He has just as little interest in marriage as you do. In that way, there could not have been a more perfect match. You need not fear, because there will not be a proposal awaiting you at the end of all this.”
“Good,” Rose said, although there was a flicker of uncertainty within her heart. After all, she was used to suitors asking to spend time with her and turning them away. She had never encountered a man who shared the same outlook as her. Perhaps the five promenades would not be as bad as she first imagined.
They could mock the idea of marriage together.
Rose sighed. “I shall go through with the promenades if only to keep my family’s reputation intact. It would be humiliating for my parents to go through all of this only to have me kick up a storm. I do not want people to think that I am some unruly child who cannot keep her emotions in check. I am sure I can manage your brother.”
“You would not be the first woman to say such a thing,” Lydia murmured.
Rose pursed her lips.
“Be sure to tell him that if he has any notion of romance, he should forget it immediately. He might have won the auction, but he has just wasted his money because five promenades are all he is going to get, and once they are done, life shall return to normal.”
“I will make sure of it. I do intend to have words with him,” Lydia said.
“Now, if you will excuse me, I need a moment to steady myself, but thank you for your counsel. Once again, you have proven yourself to be a wonderful friend,” Rose said as she clasped Lydia’s hands tightly and offered a grateful smile.
Lydia moved away, and Rose attempted to calm her frantic and erratic emotions. There was little point in getting angry with her parents at the moment. There would be words in the future, she was certain of that, but this scheme of theirs would not bear fruit.
In a way, it was reassuring because it showed that she shared their mindset. She came up with schemes to escape marriage, while they came up with schemes with the opposite intent. Rose smoothed down her dress and calmed the quickened beat of her heart.
Then, a shadow fell over her as Edmund sauntered over, filling her vision, the suddenness of his appearance making her breath catch.
“My lady,” he said in a deep voice. Did he truly put emphasis on the ‘my’, or did it just seem that way to her?
“Your Grace,” Rose dipped her head.
Edmund smiled. “I have never been one for formalities, and since we are going to be spending so much time together, I hope that you will call me Edmund.”
“As you wish, Edmund,” Rose said, his name rolling gently off her tongue. “But perhaps we should save our conversation for the first of our promenades. It is improper for us to be alone here.”
