Ellie shook her head. “No, I most assuredly would not.”
Harriet gave her an understanding smile. “Don’t give up on my son, then.”
A knock came at the door before it was pushed open and her lady’s maid walked into the room, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Mary held them up for Ellie’s inspection. “These flowers were just delivered for you.”
“Was there a card with them?”
“There was, miss.” Mary reached into the pocket of her gown, pulled out the card and approached her. “They are from Lord Bideford.”
Ellie accepted the card and read:
Ellie,
I sawthese beautiful flowers and thought of you. I hope they bring a smile to your lovely lips.
Yours truly,
Roswell
Ellie couldn’t help but smile as she read the note and smelled the flowers. Lord Bideford had bought her flowers, just because he was thinking about her. What a sweet gesture, she thought.
“What did the note say?” Emma asked.
Harriet shook her head in disapproval. “That note is personal,” she chided. “Although I must admit, I am rather curious, as well.”
“It just says that he thought of me when he saw the flowers, and he hopes they make me smile,” Ellie shared.
“That was most thoughtful of him,” Harriet said.
“It was,” Ellie agreed.
Mary interrupted, “Would you care for me to put those into a vase and put them on your dressing table?”
“Yes, thank you,” Ellie replied, extending the flowers towards her.
Harriet rose. “I think we should go shopping,” she announced.
Emma jumped up from the bed. “That sounds like a lovely idea. I could always use some more ribbon.”
“I agree,” Ellie stated.
Harriet smiled. “Then it is settled. Collect your hats and meet in the entry hall.”
Roswell sat in his coach as it headed towards the House of Lords. He hoped the flowers that were delivered to Ellie had made her smile. He hadn’t intended to purchase flowers for her, but he’d driven by the flower shop and found that he couldn’t resist. The image of her came to his mind, and it brought a smile to his own lips.
He knew this engagement wasn’t real, but he wanted to ensure that Ellie was content with her decision to go along with it. Her opinion mattered a great deal to him, especially when it came to her happiness.
Frankly, he wasn’t quite sure why he had blurted out that they were engaged, but it had just felt right. Besides, he was doing this for Ellie. He didn’t want her to even associate with Lord Worthington anymore. If they did need to speak, it would be through their solicitors.
Glancing out the window, Roswell watched as they passed into the Old Palace Yard. The coach came to a stop in front of the Palace of Westminster, and he waited while a footman came around to open the coach.
Roswell had just stepped down when he heard his name being shouted across the noise in the yard. He turned towards the sound and saw Lord Townsend approaching him with a smile on his face.
Townsend stopped in front of him. “When were you going to tell me?” he asked.
“Tell you what?”
