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for Cameron. Cameron, who was no longer hers. Who maybe never had been.
His cruelty had hurt, yet she still loved him, and she wanted to help him and Kat. She found her reticule and dug out the one hundred pounds she kept for emergencies. She hastily scribbled a note to Dr. Blake, asking him to please use the money for Kat’s care and not to tell Mrs. Price or Cameron about it. She could trust Blake. He was Daniel’s personal physician and he had taken excellent care of Lily after her fall. She called for a maid and asked her to give the envelope to Crawford and have it delivered to Dr. Michael Blake in Bath.
There. She had done all she could for Cameron. He was on his own now, as he wished to be. Rose curled up on her bed and cried some more.
* * * *
The next few days passed in a fog for Rose. Sophie and Alexandra tried to engage her, but she spent most of her time in her chamber, feigning illness. Finally, the morning Evan and his father were due to arrive, she forced herself to go down and join the others for breakfast in the ladies’ sitting room.
“Rose, dear,” Aunt Iris said, “it’s so good to see you up and about. I trust you’re feeling better?”
“Yes, much,” Rose lied. “I didn’t want to be ill for Lord Evan’s visit.”
“Yes, that would certainly break his heart,” Lucinda Landon, the dowager duchess’s sister, agreed. “He hasn’t missed a weekend with you yet, has he?”
“No, not since the house party ended.” Rose didn’t want to talk about Evan. “Has anyone heard anything about young Katrina Price? I’ve been thinking about her.”
“No, dear,” Maggie, the dowager duchess, said, “but Crawford can send an inquiry if you’d like.”
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
A servant brought Rose a plate of smoked salmon with tomatoes and capers, a scone with lemon curd, and a hardboiled egg. Rose mumbled her thanks and forced herself to eat. She needed strength to deal with meeting Evan’s father.
“Oh!” She clasped a hand to her mouth. “I’m so sorry, Aunt Lucy, Aunt Maggie. With Kat’s illness and then my own, I forgot to tell you. Lord Evan is bringing his father this weekend to meet me. I hope that won’t be any trouble.”
“Of course not, dear,” Maggie replied. “We’d love to have the earl.”
Aunt Iris went pale. “The Earl of Brighton is coming this weekend?”
“Yes, Auntie. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“Oh, it’s quite all right, Rose. Quite all right…”
“Is something the matter, Iris?” Lucy asked.
“No, no, of course not, Lucy.” Aunt Iris fidgeted with a napkin. “Will they be arriving tonight, as usual, for dinner?”
“Yes, I assume so,” Rose said. “Then leaving Sunday afternoon.”
“Goodness,” Aunt Iris said. “All right, then.”
“Mother, what on earth is the matter?” Alexandra asked. “You’re white as a ghost.”
“I’m fine, dear. Just fine. I’m a little tired is all. I didn’t sleep at all well last night.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Lucy said. “Is there anything wrong with your chamber?”
“No, no, it’s fine.”
“Well, if you have any more trouble, do come to me. I have a wonderful elixir that will guarantee a restful sleep.”
“Thank you, Lucy. I will.” Aunt Iris rose. “If you all will excuse me, I think I’ll take a brisk walk. That may…er…wake me up a bit.”
“I’ll accompany you,” Lucy said.
“You needn’t bother.”
“It’s no bother. I enjoy a nice morning walk. If the rest of you will excuse me?”
