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“For Lord Rockgonie’s arrival, of course,” her mother responded in shock. “Didn’t you get the note and his letter that your father left you? The Earl is calling on you this afternoon.”
With the anticipation and resulting mayhem from reading the Marquess’ letter, she had totally forgotten about Lord Rockgonie’s appointment with her today. She hadn’t even gotten around to reading his letter.
Her head and shoulders dropped in depression.
“I do not want to see him, Mother,” she said after a brief pause. She didn’t think she had the strength to deal with the Earl today.
Not today. Not any other day.
When there was no response, she raised her head to see the look of shock plastered on her mother’s face.
“Mother, did you hear me? I said that I do not want to see him,” she repeated. This time, however, she got a response. And it was one she hadn’t expected.
“Stop this foolishness this instant,” her mother thundered, towering over her. “What do you mean? You want to destroy your father’s efforts?” her mother continued.
“I do not want this, Mother. You and Father have clearly not taken my wishes into consideration. Both of you do not care for how I feel,” she protested, bursting into tears from being overwhelmed by everything.
Her grief at the Marquess’ letter also came rushing to the surface. She placed her head in her hands and sobbed lightly at the hopelessness she felt. All she wanted to do was run into the arms of Lord Walsrock and be comforted.
“How you feel? Enough of this foolishness, daughter. You are no longer a child. Conduct yourself like the lady that you are.”
Her head came up at her mother’s rebuke to find the lady turning red in fury.
“I have indulged your opinions and excesses for far too long and I have no one but your father to blame for letting you get away with just about anything. You concern yourself with gentlemen’s matters while entertaining fantasies that should best be left as dreams. And in all this, you have forgotten your place or what is required of you as a lady.”
Behind her mother, she could see Elsa shifting uncomfortably. It was obvious her lady’s maid would have preferred to be anywhere else but here at this moment.
“Your father and I have gone to lengths to find you a suitor and save you from the shame of spinsterhood and what do we get in return? Sadness! Tears! Resistance! Ingratitude!” her mother continued with her tirade.
She could do nothing but watch as her mother continued to rebuke her.
“This foolishness can no longer be tolerated. Get up and get yourself ready to answer the Earl when he comes calling. And let this be the last time you make mention of such nonsense,” her mother said.
Her mother turned to face Elsa and barked out an order. “Assist your Lady in her preparations. Lord Rockgonie will be here soon and she must be ready by the time he arrives.”
“Yes, My Lady,” Elsa curtsied in response.
Lady Somerholm turned back to face Rose one more time.
“You are courting and getting married to the Earl. I suggest you begin to make peace with this fact because it is not going to change. Not while I have anything to say about it,” her mother bellowed.
Lady Somerholm turned then and began heading for the door, causing Elsa to step to the side away from her path. She paused midstride as something on the ground caught her eye.
“What is that?” she remarked, pointing to a folded piece of paper on the floor.
Rose’s gaze followed the direction her mother’s hand pointed. There was a brief confusion which cleared in a moment as realization dawned on her.
My letter to the Marquess.
Her heart skipped several beats. In Elsa’s uncomfortable shuffling, the letter must have fallen out to the floor from where she’d tucked it under her garment earlier.
If her mother discovered the contents of the letter and her correspondence with the Marquess, all hell was going to break lose. Her dread drove her to her feet.
“It’s a letter from my mother, My Lady,” Elsa replied instantly, bending over to pick it up. “She isn’t feeling well and has requested that I come see her at my earliest convenience.”
Her mother stared at Elsa for a brief moment which seemed like an eternity to Rose. Satisfied with the maid’s response, she spoke.
“You can go see your mother tonight when your Lady retires to bed. Do make sure, however, that you are back in the morning, all right?” her mother responded.
“Thank you, My Lady,” Elsa responded in feigned gratitude for Lady Somerholm’s generous consideration. Rose, on the other hand, fought the urge to heave a huge sigh of relief by pursing her lips.
With her directive made, Lady Somerholm resumed walking and finally left the chamber.
As soon as the door was shut, Rose let out the sigh of relief that she had held in. It materialized as a low whistle.
When her eyes made contact with Elsa’s, nervous laughter began to spread between them.
“Oh, my!” Rose exclaimed.
