Page 72 of The Thorn and the Rose

“There’s no need to turn me up sweet,” he said, regarding her with amusement and then noting the country dance in progress was ending. “Right, that’s my cue. I said I’d dance with Cousin Rose. If I can find her, that is. Where is Mama?”

“Just there,” Cat nodded to where her mother was deep in conversation with Lady Helena. “I’ll be fine.”

Thorn nodded and hurried off to dance with his cousin, Lady Rose Carmichael, who scolded him soundly because he trod on her toes and checked his pocket watch twice while in her company. He did his duty by all the single ladies he knew, and tried desperately to act as though he was enjoying himself. By twenty to twelve, he was ready to lose his mind.

Seeing Ash on the other side of the ballroom, he made his way over, speaking in an undertone.

“My nerves can’t take any more, I’m going up to see Marie. You know what to do?”

Ash rolled his eyes. “Obviously. You’ve told us fifty times since you and Pip came up with this plan.”

“Then don’t bugger it up,” Thorn retorted irritably, too jittery to be polite, and hurried out of the ballroom and up the stairs towards the family wing of the house.

Lady St Claire, or Aunt Harriet as he knew her, was coming out of Rosemarie’s room as he got there.

“She’s in good spirits,” she told him with a smile. “You have everything in hand, I take it?”

“I hope so,” Thorn said grimly. “I’m sure you do,” she said, giving his arm a fond pat. “Bullies lose their power when confronted with someone who no longer fears them, and you’ve given that girl something to believe in. Or rather someone,” she added with a smile. “But don’t turn your back on him, Thomas, dear. It doesn’t mean the man isn’t dangerous.”

“Oh, I believe you,” Thorn replied. “But I thank you for your concern, and for keeping Marie company.”

“A pleasure, dear boy. She’s a delightful girl. I gave her some interesting books to read to pass the time,” she added as she walked away.

Thorn snorted. “I just bet you did,’ he murmured with a soft laugh. Pushing open the door, he felt his heart skip as he saw Rosemarie. She looked up from the book she was reading and smiled as she saw him.

“It is time?” she asked, setting the book down.

“Almost,” he said, going to her and taking her hands. She got to her feet and Thorn lost no time in taking her in his arms and kissing her. She sighed, relaxing into his embrace and making him wish they were anywhere but here. “Won’t you stay, Marie?” he tried, knowing what her answer would be.

“No. I want him to know he hasn’t any power over me, not any longer. It will be all right,” she said, smiling at him. “I’m not afraid of him anymore, not on my own account, anyway. I just don’t want you to get hurt. You mustn’t do anything foolish, Thorn. Promise me.”

Thorn smiled at the use of his nickname. It had taken her a little while to get used to using it, but she seemed at ease with it now. “I’ll be fine, just you make sure you keep out of his reach, like we discussed.”

With a final, reluctant kiss, he took her hand, squeezing it tightly.

“Ready?” he asked.

Rosemarie nodded, the trust in her eyes as she looked at him making his heart swell.

“Yes,” she said. “I am.”

Rosemarie made her way through the frozen garden, drawing her cloak a little tighter around her. Though her heart was thudding, she did not feel truly afraid, only impatient to get this over with. Everett had stolen too many years of her life, had manipulated her and Thorn and made their lives a misery. It was time it ended. It was time he understood his power over them was at an end.

There was a bright moon shining, sliding now and then behind a cloud, but for the moment the garden was limned with silver, glinting on the frost-covered vegetation and giving it an ethereal and rather mysterious aspect she could have done without. Still, she put up her chin and walked on, knowing Thorn, his brother, and their friends were waiting at strategic points around the garden. Everett would not escape this time.

“Rosemarie, so nice of you to come.”

Rosemarie spun around, her heart leaping as a dark shape detached itself from the shrubbery beside her. She had not expected him to appear until she had reached the farthest part of the garden, out of sight of the house.

“Everett,” she said coolly, trying to get her galloping heart back under control. She took several steps back, keeping a distance between them as she’d been cautioned to do.

“Do you have it?” he asked, holding out his hand to take the money from her.

Rosemarie put up her chin. “No, Everett. I don’t. I’m not giving you anything, not ever again. You’ve ruined yourself and stolen from Mama. That’s enough. I will not let you bleed Lord Thomas through me.”

“You seem to think you have a choice, you stupid bitch,” Everett said, his voice harsh, his face twisting into an ugly expression that the silver light only emphasised, like some grimacing Greek tragedy mask.

He reached for her and Rosemarie darted away as several more shapes emerged from the darkness.