He played the role of a perfect host, moving between tables and guests, making sure that he spoke to everyone for at least a few moments. Rose tuned out from her conversation for a little while and tilted her head to listen to him. He remembered everyone, and when he spoke to them, he made them feel as though they were the only person in the room.
It was quite a remarkable skill to be at ease with so many people, and it was no surprise that his reputation was well-earned. If he noticed that someone’s wine glass was empty, he called over a servant. If they were waiting for a particular dish, he called across the table to make sure their patience was not stretched thin. He left everyone in a better mood than when he found them, and he seemed to genuinely care that everyone was having a good time.
Seeing him like this, in his natural element, provided more context for his behavior. At first, Rose thought he was frivolous and adroit, acting as if nothing mattered at all. But that wasn’t entirely true. Something did matter to him—life—and he took it very seriously. He wanted everyone who visited his home to have a wonderful experience, and it filled her with a warm feeling in her chest.
She hadn’t even started eating yet, so she couldn’t ascribe this feeling to the food.
“You are a fortunate woman,” Amelia said, leaning toward her.
“Thank you,” Rose said, fluttering her eyelashes.
“It must feel you with such pride to know a man like him wants you for a wife.”
Rose stopped herself from blanching and maintained a polite smile.
“It is indeed, and quite fortuitous as well. I am sure you have heard about the unconventional way we met.”
“I have. I could hardly believe it when Aunt Beatrice told me, but how wonderful! Although I hope I have a more… traditional courtship.”
“I am sure there will not be any issues there. I have heard you being described as the diamond of the Season.”
Amelia turned inward and blushed. “It is very kind of people, although I cannot control what they say. I can only try and live up to their hopes and expectations.”
It was almost maddening how nice she was. While Lydia might have seen her as a rival, Rose did not. However, what she did see in Amelia was the kind of woman a duchess should be. Polite, demure, humble, radiant, well-spoken, graceful, and all the other qualities that were so noble.
Not stubborn, willful, independent, bold, feisty… and of course, Amelia embraced the rules and rigors of life that Rose shunned and actively worked to avoid. She glanced across the table at herparents and couldn’t help but think they would have been much happier if she was more like Amelia.
“Do not try to live up to impossible standards. Diamonds shine bright, and they attract a lot of grubby fingers. In my view, many people think they are worthy of a diamond and will say and do anything to get one. I should know, I was like you,” Beatrice turned toward Amelia with a knowing look on her face.
“You might not believe it by looking at me now, but I was the diamond of the Season, and I learned a lot of hard lessons,” Beatrice continued. “Some people only want diamonds when they shine, or they want diamonds for the sake of having one. You want to find yourself someone who will care for you, who will want you even when the luster fades, because mark my words, it will. There are always prettier and more sparkly things to capture men’s attention. Find someone who wants you for who you are, not just because you’re a diamond. You’re supposed to marry someone, not simply to be worn,” Beatrice said.
“Those are wise words, I shall keep them in mind,” Amelia said politely. “Although I suppose you don’t have to worry about that anymore,” she added, turning to Rose.
“I suppose I don’t,” Rose said, smiling. “Do you happen to have any advice for me?”
“Oh I have advice for everyone, not that you’d know it because few people actually come to ask me for it. All I will say is to prepare yourself because life with Edmund is not going to beeasy, and it’s not going to be straightforward, but it is going to be fun. Which is no bad thing, mind you. He’ll always find a way to make things interesting.”
“I think I have already learned that myself,” Rose said.
“I can only hope that I shall meet a man of the same caliber as His Grace,” Amelia said.
“Just be patient, that’s the other piece of advice I will give you. Do not settle for the first man who comes along because there will be plenty. You will have the whole of London lining up at your door. Most of them will be liars and charlatans, and it will be left to you to sort the wheat from the chaff…” Beatrice said.
Rose tuned her out and turned her attention to Edmund, who was laughing heartily at the other end of the table.
She began to feel his absence keenly and wished he would sit beside her. The closeness and companionship they had shared felt lost amid all these other people, and she couldn’t help but want to be back at the lake, just the two of them.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Imust insist that you all have cake, even if you fear you are going to burst. If you need to collapse, there are plenty of beds, so please, eat until your stomachs are full,” Edmund said, brandishing a large knife. He turned to the cake, which really was enormous, and cut through each tier, beginning at the bottom and working his way to the top.
He waved his hand in the air, encouraging people to cheer every time he cut into the cake. They all leaned forward, eager to see what the next layer would be. It was quite incredible how Edmund could make something so mundane as cutting a cake into an event that had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats.
Once he finished, he held the knife in the air triumphantly, and then the hard work was left to the servants who bustled around making sure that everyone had the right type of cake. Edmund seemed happy enough to enjoy the adulation.
Rose became aware of some tension nearby. Nathaniel glowered.
“This is dinner, not theatre,” Nathaniel muttered. Alfred seemed quite content. Mary asked if there was anything wrong, but Alfred kept batting away her concerns until he became quite animated.
