“If you are upset that a proposal was not forthcoming tonight, I would not be worried. He hinted that there are more surprises to come.”
Margaret’s words rankled with Rose.
“There are no hidden feelings, Mother. I am simply tired,” Rose said, although as she left, she thought about Edmund playing cards with Amelia, a woman far more suited to being a duchessand perhaps more suited to being his wife. She didn’t quite understand why this upset her so much, but she could not deny it did.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The party set out for the village at a good pace. Carriages carried them partway before stopping, allowing them to walk along a winding country lane that led to the charming village. Insects buzzed in the air, and lush hedges lined the lane. Fields extended far and wide, dotted with cattle, sheep, and horses. Edmund stood among his guests, leading from the front.
Rose was behind, flanked by her parents, who kept flashing her reassuring looks that only made her more frustrated. The weather was kind to them, and everyone was in good spirits, although some looked worse for wear, with sagging eyes hinting that the party had continued into the late hours of the night.
Plumes of smoke rose from chimneys, and a church spire pierced the sky. Edmund glanced back toward her and smiled. She did not return the gesture, so then he approached her.
“I wonder if I might steal you away for a private word,” he said.
Before Rose could utter a reply, her mother practically pushed her toward Edmund. They soon parted from the crowd and strolled down a branching path that led toward a farm, while the others continued on to the village.
“Are you well? You seem far quieter than usual, and I was surprised when you retired last night,” he said.
“Then clearly you are not the only one who prepared surprises for the party.”
“Have I done something to offend you?”
“Many things, Edmund, but nothing in particular today. I don’t know why everyone is concerned about me. Can I not choose to retire early in peace? It really does not warrant all of these questions.”
“I just want to make sure you are having a good time.”
“You have clearly put a lot of effort into this party, and I am sure that it will be remembered for a long time. But it does feel like a loophole.”
“Oh?”
“Well, you agreed to four promenades, yet on this occasion you have spent more time with other people than you have with me.”
Edmund tilted his head back as understanding came upon his face.
“Ah, so you are jealous.” The concern that had previously been etched upon his face now gave way to an amused look. Rose furrowed her brow, and color came to her cheeks.
“I am not jealous,” she snapped, then took a breath to compose herself. “I just do not want you to try and cleverly avoid your obligations, that is all.”
Edmund then closed the distance between them, just for a moment, but enough to shift the world. Rose was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of heat. She became aware of his body close to hers, his hands that could so easily reach out and grab her waist, lips that could pluck a kiss, eyes that could gaze into her very soul.
“I swear that I shall not neglect you for another moment, Rose. Since you wish it, I shall be stuck to you for the rest of the day. I shall be your shadow,” his voice was low, and it made her heart shudder.
“I didn’t mean quite that,” she said, although the word came out as a whisper and she felt quite unsettled. Her mind was fraught with conflicting feelings. It was as though she wanted to push him away, yet at the same time pull him close. But she did not want marriage. She did not want love.
But as more and more time passed, it was becoming clear to her that she did want Edmund in some capacity, but she could never reveal this to him. She couldn’t bear the shame.
Edmund stepped back, laughing. Rose breathed freely, not feeling as stifled by his presence.
“Come, I am sure that something amusing shall present itself. The world is full of curiosities,” he said. They passed a hedge with many flowers growing. Edmund plucked one and placed it in Rose’s hair, the stem tucking behind her ear. His fingers were gentle and patient.
They suddenly heard a commotion.
“Get back here, you rotter!” a rough voice shouted.
“I say, I wonder if there is a thief,” Edmund said, stretching out his hand before Rose, silently warning her to stay back. He approached the gate, and as the field came into view, they understood the situation.
A muddy farmer was chasing after a stubborn goat that had broken free. The goat bleated angrily and was skipping away, while the red-faced farmer kept lunging toward it, getting more and more frustrated by the second.
