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She had asked Phyllis for help in relaying the message that the game was to be delayed. However, she had not specified for how long. Minerva returned to the bed, picked up the bright day dress, and asked, “How many days do I have to prepare?”
“Three.”
“Then there is no rush.” She sank back onto the bed and flopped backward.
Diana grabbed her hands and pulled her back up to sit. As if she was about to impart a lecture, Diana stared directly at her. “Drake is no fool. He knows you better than anyone, and with instruction from Camdon, he could very well defeat you.” Diana’s brow knitted into a frown. “Wait. Do you want Drake to win? Have you forgiven him for failing to act these past three years?”
Diana and her sequential questions. Minerva had missed her little sister. She stood and embraced her. “I don’t know what I want any longer.” She ignored the day dress and donned her robe. “I’m not even certain I have a choice in the matter.”
Her sister pulled back to glare at her. “Impossible. You are always telling me that there is an alternative. You have the trust of many; now you must trust yourself to make the right move.”
“In this instance I might have positioned myself into a no-win situation.” Minerva shook her head and released her sister. She meandered over to the window.
Diana said, “Pray, explain.”
Absently Minerva replied, “I can’t decide when I’ve only known but one life.”
“I don’t understand.” Diana joined her by the window.
Minerva had kept this secret of becoming Madame Rose from all for so long, so to share it with Diana would be like giving up a large part of her. But if she wanted to know for certain what life to choose, she’d need the assistance of others.
Her gaze trained on the gardens below, Minerva confessed, “I want to experience life as Madame Rose.”
“Egad. You’ve cost me a sovereign.” Diana grinned. “I should have known not to wager against Isadora.” She grasped her hands behind her back and strode to the middle of the room, muttering, “I can’t believe it. My own sister…the one and only…famous Madame Rose.”
Diana whirled about to face Minerva. The admiration in her sister’s eyes created within Minerva the same exhilaration as when she sang on stage. It was a relief to finally share her secret.
“Isadora suspected?”
“She did.” Diana began to pace and then froze. “Will two nights as Madame Rose suffice?”
“What?” Minerva must have misheard her.
“You helped Isadora and I gain what we wished for, and we shall do the same for you.”
As if on cue, Isadora barged into the chambers. “With the assistance of Gregory and the staff, we shall be able to convince Mama. But gaining Gregory’s assistance will take more than a bag of coin.” A guilty shade of pink was painted across her cheeks. Isadora had been eavesdropping the entire time.
Diana said, “Isadora, mayhap you could host a private event at Wembley Hall.”
Her sisters had lost all their wits. Minerva let Isadora and Diana jabber on in the background.
Three days living as Madame Rose.
Three days of freedom to make her own decisions.
Three days apart from her family and the man her heart still ached for.
It would be a test.
Anthony had only managed to stay away from friends and family for less than a week. Would she be capable of staying totally out of sight for three days and two nights?
Minerva quickly assessed the risks and consequences. The idea warranted an attempt to discover what freedom might be like.
She turned away from the window and said, “I shall convince Gregory to go along with our scheme. And no, I shall not share with either of you how I will go about it.” She marched over to her bed and picked up the brightly colored day dress that reflected her mood—sunny and hopeful. “I’ll slip away as soon as you and your men depart.” She walked over to the door and opened it for her sisters to leave.
Isadora paused in front of the threshold to ask, “But how will we contact you? How will we know you are well?”
“If I don’t return in three days, send for the Bow Street Runners. They’ll be able to locate me.” Minerva shooed them out of her room. “Now off with you both.”
