Meeting his stare, she shook her head. Don’t look at me. And then she turned her back to him.
Penelope mustn’t guess any of Rose’s wayward thoughts. It would be mortifying to be rebuked for them, especially by her friend.
Rose strolled to the far end of the store and halted at a display of candies and confections, one striking treat, in particular, catching her eye. A shiny red piece of candy that would have beckoned her even without the sprig of greenery tied around it.
“Peppermint and vanilla.” An older woman wearing a huge white apron smiled conspiratorially. Rose guessed that it would taste as delicious as it looked. How could it not?
Oh, but it was too, too frivolous.
“How much?”
“Six pennies for a pound.”
Rose bit her lip. But it was perfect. “I’ll take one-quarter of a pound.”
Upon completing her purchase, she strolled out of the store, ever so casually, past Viscount Darlington where he stood chatting with Penelope and Lady Asherton. When she brushed past him, she casually dropped the package into his pocket.
She’d already made her purchase. She would wait upon her mistress outside.
What the devil?
“Danbury will flay me for saying so, but I’ll hazard to guess that Lady Asherton rides even better than her brother.”
Rome laughed at Penelope’s not-so-subtle championing of her sister-in-law but he could not give her his full attention. He’d caught a whiff of Rose’s scent just before he’d felt the weight drop into his pocket.
A small package.
He ran his fingers around the hard shape beneath the tissue paper and smiled to himself.
“If you haven’t already purchased me a gift, Rome, you might allow Lady Asherton to make a suggestion. I’ve no doubt she has excellent taste.” Natalie joined them, even less discreet in her matchmaking than Penelope.
Lady Asherton sent a pleasant smile in his direction. “I’d be more than happy to assist you, My Lord.” The widow’s voice was pleasing but not overly excited at the prospect of spending a few precious moments in his company.
“Since we never see you over the holidays anymore, you have at least five years to make up for.” Hands behind her back, his sister’s playful demeanor made her appear younger than her actual age. Although nearly one and twenty, she could easily be mistaken for a girl fresh out of school.
Resisting the urge to tug at her hair, Rome groaned, realizing she was probably right. “Your poor husband. I’m surprised you haven’t beggared him already.”
She smiled almost dreamily. “Oh, he gets his money’s worth.” She didn’t even have the good sense to blush at such a scandalous comment. Obviously, Hawthorne was taking good care of her.
For the briefest of moments, an odd pang of jealousy struck him. Why were relationships so infernally impossible for him? Last year, he’d thought he could build something with Lady Eliza, only to have just the opposite proven to him when she’d chosen another.
“As a fashionable gentleman yourself, what do you think of this, Darlington?” Penelope held out a rather ornate-looking cane for his inspection. “Will Danbury appreciate such a gift? Or should I go with this?” In her other hand, she held an equally ornate tambourine.
“Does Danbury… play?”
Penelope pursed her lips. “I’m certain he could learn. I’ve caught him singing to the twins on a few occasions.”
“Then by all means.” Rome chuckled to himself as he imagined his friend’s reaction to such a ridiculous gift. “Go with the tambourine.”
Penelope nodded while Lady Asherton shook her head, as though in despair. “We’ll not know a moment’s peace, Pen.”
Which only had Penelope grinning more. “It’s perfect.” And then, with a pivot, she turned to pay for her selection.
“Shall we explore the gardens when we’re done here?” Natalie suggested to the other lady. “Rome? Will you escort us?”
Rome couldn’t very well decline, even if it was only his sister making the request. “I’d be a fool to turn down such an offer. May I assist either of you with your purchases?”
Lady Asherton lifted a lacy parasol and a pair of soft winter gloves with a self-conscious grimace. “Rosie found these to be particularly lovely, but they are too frivolous for me. I think I’ll return them to the shelf in search of something more practical.”
“Pretty.” Natalie studied the delicate items and then the woman holding them. “But I agree. You are far too serious a lady to indulge thusly. Did you see the amber wool coat in the window?” Rome wasn’t surprised when his sister readily encouraged the other woman toward a more expensive purchase. “Meet us outside, will you, Rome?”
“Of course.” Exactly what he’d been waiting for.
With a quick bow, he strode purposefully toward the door.
Chapter 7
Quite refreshing
Seeing movement from the corner of her eyes, Rose glanced up from the bench across the street where she’d chosen to wait for Penelope and the other ladies.
Lord Darlington didn’t see her at first, so she took the opportunity to admire how handsome and elegant he looked. Fantastic how a long greatcoat, with too many capes to count, and an elegant top hat, could make even the kindest of gentlemen appear almost unapproachable. He dispelled the impression however, with a twinkle in his eyes and the hint of a smile. It seemed he’d anticipated finding her.
Was that why she’d bought him the candy? Because she’d wanted to elicit a smile? She pinched her lips together so he wouldn’t see her grinning like a fool. What had she been thinking to drop it into his pocket?
Not hesitating, the viscount strode across the road and then casually lowered himself beside her. At first she thought he was not going to acknowledge her. He didn’t greet her, or even turn to look at her but stared straight ahead, toward the store.
“Aren’t you cold?” The mist of his breath fogged the air and then dissipated just as quickly.
“It’s good to be outside.” She kept her eyes averted from him as well. Likely, she’d blush to the roots of her hair if he knew what she’d been thinking.
“I was happy to see you a member of the outing today.”
Oh, but she wasn’t a member, in truth! She wasn’t even a guest. She was more of an interloper dragged along by Penelope into this world. Into his world.
But he was glad she had come.
“I’m here in the event Penelope needs me.” And then she corrected herself. “Lady Danbury.”
“But she is Penelope to you. She is your friend. And she is mine.” His words sent a warmth flowing through her that tempered the cold settling into her limbs. “Have you been to the gardens before?”
“Northernhay Gardens? I have. Penelope and I visit whenever we stay at Summers Park.” She finally turned to study his profile. “Mankind has many flaws, but I do believe it redeems itself in planting gardens, building parks.”
“Making music,” he added. “Creating art.”
She grinned at him. “Do you have any talent? Other than lording and whatnot?”
He pinched his lips together, but it was in mock offense. “I’ll have you know that I once painted a landscape that my mother had framed and hangs proudly… in her attic.”
“Ah, then you must sing?”
He sent her a sideways glance. “You obviously have not discussed this topic with my sister.” He turned serious. “She and my brother, Peter, were gifted with all of the musical talent in the family.”
Rose frowned. “I know Lady Hawthorne plays the pianoforte, but I’ve not heard of your brother performing in polite company.” Penelope usually shared such pertinent information with her.
“He plays the cello, mostly for himself. But do not be fooled, he is a virtuoso.”
Rose nodded. She understood the joy one took from music, simply playing for oneself, all too well. “ I spent many hours at the pianoforte before I left home. I was little more than a novice, but I
remember feeling thusly, although I experienced as much frustration as enjoyment.” The instant she made such an admission, her fingers itched to remember that which she’d done her best to forget.
“Do you regret your choice? That you did not take the position as a companion?” He understood that what might not be acceptable for a maid might be an allowable pastime for a companion.
“Aunt Phoenicia would not have allowed me to continue playing.” Rose smiled. “Although last I saw her, she had gone quite deaf. Perhaps I could have played to my heart’s content without her being any the wiser.”
By now, they were facing one another. “But Lady Danbury would allow you to play, I’m certain, if you were to ask her.”
And she would. Of course, she would.
“She has suggested it a number of times but…” Rose stared down at her hands.
A moment passed before he nodded. “It might create even more of a rift between you and the other servants.” He chose not to dwell on that unfortunate truth. “Were you any good?”
Rose remembered how discouraged her teacher had been in the beginning. And then how proud she’d become after the first few years. Rose had been young, but she’d been enthusiastic. “I believe that eventually, I was not an abomination to the instrument.”
She’d been good, she admitted to herself. Doubtless, she’d forgotten much of it by now though.
“Sometimes, I wish I’d never begun to learn, then I wouldn’t miss it so much.” This was not something she could ever tell Penelope. “But of course, that would be worse. Because then I’d deny myself the memory of the enjoyment.”
Her heart ached for yet another aspect of her life she’d given up.
And then she felt it. His gloved hand upon hers.
“Forgive me for sounding so pitiful.” What had come over her?
He squeezed her fingers. Why did his touch give her the ridiculous urge to cry?
“You still believe I need sweetening up?” he asked with tender laughter in his voice.
“I think you might be too hard on yourself.” She swallowed hard. Why had she done it? On impulse, of course. And yet she’d thought of him the second she’d caught that first whiff of vanilla in the candy section. “I just wanted to.”
He didn’t respond for so long that she began to think she’d done something wrong. Was he going to tell her it wasn’t necessary? Perhaps chastise her for being so bold?
“It was very thoughtful.” The air from his voice hung in the air. “Thank you.”
Rose sat silent, unwilling to move or speak, savoring this moment for reasons she didn’t quite understand.
The bells of the door peeled, signaling that they were no longer alone. He removed his hand and rose from the bench. Rose gathered her composure, drawing on the cold of the now empty space beside her.
“We must put these in the carriage. Too much bother to carry them around the park with us!” Penelope called across to them. “And then we will walk in the gardens!”
The viscount dashed into the road and raised a hand to signal the driver of one of their coaches who had parked farther down the street. Within seconds, the vehicle they’d arrived in drew up to where the ladies waited with their purchases.
Rose lingered on the bench and watched as he assisted in placing the various boxes into the boot and then winged an arm for Penelope.
Lady Hawthorne and Danbury’s sister followed. Rose leapt off the bench and then rushed across the street to walk behind them all.
It had been foolish of her to spend her money on a silly piece of candy for him.
And yet, the sensation of his hand on hers hovered fresh in her memory.
He had been so kind. He’d likely found it somewhat amusing that she’d given him something so trivial. It would be a mistake for her to read anything different in his kindness.
They didn’t walk along the street for long before turning onto one of the well cared for gravel paths that wound its way through the tall elms. The flowerbeds surrounding the large lake were empty and dry, and many of the trees were mostly bare, and yet walking through a park such as this, on the edge of a city, struck her as rather delightful. Man had transformed a part of a bustling town into a serene sanctuary for nature.
How ironic that the natural landscape had been torn down only to be replaced with something equally exceptional but manicured and controlled.
“What’s keeping you, Rose?” Penelope relinquished Lord Darlington and turned back with Lady Hawthorne, leaving him to walk alone with Danbury’s widowed sister.
Danbury’s eligible, very sensible, widowed sister.
“Admiring the gardens.”
Penelope shrugged. “Trees. Paths. Lawns. I rather prefer the cliffs at Land’s End.”
“But Land’s End is so far from everything else,” Rose spoke without thinking. She never wanted Penelope to believe she was not content with her.
Not much got past Penelope, though. “I agree, it is somewhat isolated.” She caught Rose’s arm and dragged her toward the lake, which was set perfectly amongst the sloping hills and copses of trees. “Slowly ladies.” She grasped Lady Hawthorne’s arm with a flick of her gaze toward the couple. “Let’s leave them to circle the lake ahead of us, alone.”
The three of them slowed their steps as they walked together at the water’s edge.
“Rose ought to be sent along with Margaret to Raven’s Park, after the Epiphany, when the house party is over. My sister-in-law hasn’t traveled in ages and likely will want a familiar face with her. She will require a companion,” Penelope announced offhandedly to Lady Hawthorne.
Rose wondered if she’d heard properly. Never before had Penelope suggested anything of the sort. Was she dissatisfied with her?
“But how will you get along without me?” Rose asked.
Penelope laughed and slapped her lightly on the arm. “It’s not as though I’m an invalid or a child. Danbury and I can manage on our own.”
The two of them, Rose and Penelope––Penelope and Rose––had quite literally been together for… ages! Rose halted her steps, dazed as Penelope and Lady Hawthorne lifted their gowns to carefully pick their way along the shore, chattering over the prospect of marrying Lady Asherton off to Lord Darlington.
Her eyes hot and her chest tight, Rose blinked in confusion as her dearest friend took Lady Hawthorne’s arm and threw her head back in laughter. Did Penelope really mean to send her away or was this one of her fleeting ideas, mentioned impulsively to be forgotten later?
Rose shook her head realizing she’d fallen behind. She’d best move quickly or she’d lose them altogether.
Stepping quickly, however, something caught at her foot. In her rush, she’d failed to avoid a large root protruding onto the path. The ground wasn’t muddy, but it was frozen solid, slippery in places. She reached for something to grab hold of, anything she could use to halt her slide, but her arms flailed uselessly.
One foot skated down the slope toward the water. And then the other.
Her last thought as the surface of the lake rose up to meet her was a most inconvenient one. A most tragic one, rather.
I wish I had learned how to swim.
In but a few seconds, the frigid water seeped through her cloak, dress, and chemise. It had no respect for her leather half-boots, her soft gloves, nor for Penelope’s lovely cashmere scarf. She fought against the oppressive weight to no avail. Rose inhaled, drawing not air into her lungs, but water.
This was not how she’d expected she’d die. She’d thought some fiendish London footpads might do her in, or that she’d contract a deadly disease.
Nothing so embarrassing as this!
Dying for something as foolish as her own clumsiness.
Unacceptable.
She forced her eyes open and reached for the wavering, shimmering light above her. It had to be the sun. Daylight. Air.
She kicked out vainly, but her dress had wound around her legs. Down, down, until soggy, murky sludge sucked a
t her from below. If she could push off of it… She bent her knees and lifted her hands in the air.
Ah! She was free! But only for a moment.
Sputtering life, and then, down she went again. This time, she wanted to cry but she thrashed her hands instead. Her lungs burned and the biting cold of the water froze every bone in her body.
As she drifted downward, she barely heard the sounds of Penelope shrieking her name from above.
She was not one to give up. She had always considered herself a fighter. But she was cold. So cold.
Her limbs felt disconnected from her mind. By this time, they barely obeyed. The light grew farther and farther away. She would cry if only she could. Deeper, colder. Darker.
Her last hope was to push off from the bottom once again, she resolved, and she made one last grab for any strength she had left. And then something seized her from above.
The light grew brighter and, in a rush, her head burst free of the silent watery world.
“Don’t fight me.” An arm wound around her from behind. “Relax.”
She tried responding but nothing emerged when she went to speak. Cold had taken over every part of her, leaving her numb, her limbs lifeless. Even the air she desperately craved slashed at her skin and burned her lungs.
“Good girl,” Viscount Darlington encouraged her. His arm wrapped around her was the only thing preventing the murky abyss from claiming her again. But what kept him from sinking? With her head resting on his chest, she stared up at the sky, her eyelids heavy. Voices carried from the shore, but it was as though they came from the far end of a long tunnel.
“Is she going to be all right?” one asked.
“Oh, thank God!” Penelope cried.
Then he was dragging her onto solid ground. She was covered in mud, and she’d likely turn to ice, but the water no longer had hold of her, of them.
“My coat!” he ordered harshly. “Nat! Return to the shops and order one of the carriages to meet me at the park entrance. Quickly! Pen! Secure a room at the inn and send for a physician!” All the while he barked out orders, he was unwinding Rose’s scarf and then removing her sopping and frigid coat. He’d managed to lift her from the ground and move them both away from the water where he then wrapped his own greatcoat around her.
Lady Be Good: Lord Love a Lady Series, Book 5 Page 6
