Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(11)

“I’ve no need for love,” Ally stated. “Only money.”

“You may change your mind about that,” Rose said.

“Yes, of course you will.” Sophie smoothed her dress. “What if you could make a match with an incredibly rich man, but he mistreated you, the way Father mistreated Mother? Would you still marry for money?”

“Probably not. But I’m not Mother. She has a weak spirit. I don’t.”

“How can you say that about Mother?” Sophie cried.

“Because it’s true, Sophie. You know I adore Mother and would do anything for her, but she never fought back. I would.”

“A married woman has little or no legal rights,” Sophie said. “What could Mother have done?”

“She could have left.”

“And spent her entire life running? What would that have been like for her? Or for us?”

“For God’s sake, may we end this drivel?” Ally demanded. “I want to marry money. The end. Case closed.”

“The two of you go round and round on this subject,” Rose said. “Perhaps you should just agree to disagree.”

“Never,” Sophie and Ally said in unison.

The three of them broke into gales of laughter. They were still chatting and giggling when Evan approached.

“Good morning, Rose,” he said, bowing.

“My lord, good morning,” Rose answered.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Evan said. “Could we walk a bit?”

“Certainly. Would you excuse us, Sophie, Ally?” She took Evan’s arm and strode with him toward the stables.

“Rose,” Evan said. “There’s something I would like to ask you.”

Oh, no, not marriage. He had been courting her for over a month. “Yes, what is it, Evan?”

“Well, I’ve grown quite fond of you Rose, and…”

“Yes?”

“My father has asked to meet you. Would it be all right if he came along with me next weekend when I come to visit?”

“Of course.” Rose breathed a sigh of relief. “I’d love to meet your father, Evan.”

“Then you’ll still be here?”

“Yes, I’ve decided to stay at Laurel Ridge for the summer, along with Aunt Iris and Sophie and Ally.”

“Oh, that’s splendid,” Evan said. “I was hoping I could continue to see you.”

“Of course.”

“My father asks about you so often. I was afraid you might not want to meet him this soon.”

“Why wouldn’t I? I’m sure he’s just as fine a gentleman as you are.”

“Yes, of course, he’s a fine man.”

“Tell me a little bit about him.”

“He’s a widower, as you know. He enjoys horses as much as I do, so perhaps we can all go riding. I know he’ll be impressed with your riding skills.”

“That sounds lovely. I do look forward to meeting him.”

“He’ll adore you,” Evan said. “We should get back for lunch now. Would you care to take a short ride this afternoon, before I leave the estate?”

“Of course, that would be wonderful.”

“After lunch then. Come on, let’s get back.”



Cameron’s head throbbed when he finally rolled out of his bed only slightly before noon. Thankfully, the man he had hired was working the farm, so he didn’t have to rise with the sun anymore. He raked his fingers through his long, thick hair and cleared his throat. He was hungry, and unbearably thirsty. He had never been prone to drink excessively, and he never would again. The water in his basin was stale and warm, but he used it to brush his teeth anyway, and then he pulled on a clean shirt and pair of trousers. He headed out the back door, avoiding his mother and sisters, and walked briskly to the creek behind his cottage. There he stripped off his clothes and plunged his body into the cold water, cleaning off the remnants of the previous evening. The coldness helped ease his hunger for Rose, but did not abate it altogether. He toweled himself off quickly, dressed, and decided to pay a visit to Eloise Warren. She was always good for a tumble.

Eloise was a young widow who lived on the Lybrook land. Cameron had bedded her a few times, as had many other men. She was pretty and clean, and all she asked in return was a few kind words and a chore or two around the house. Cameron had money this time, though. He wouldn’t have to stay and make small talk while he cleaned her barn or milked her spotted cow.

He saddled his stallion, Apollo, and trotted to the Warren cottage. Eloise sat on the porch, stitching a sampler, her bare feet visible beneath her apron and skirt. Her blond hair was light, lighter than Rose’s honey locks, and it was plaited into a long braid hanging down her back. Though not as tall as Rose, whose above average height seemed to fit Cameron’s lean build perfectly, Eloise was well-figured and pleasing to the eye. A smattering of freckles veiled her nose, giving her a fresh look.

“Afternoon, Cam!”

He dismounted Apollo and bowed to her politely.

“What brings you this way today?”

As if she didn’t know. When had Cameron come to call for any reason other than a tumble in bed? “Just out and about. I was hoping you might have some…time before dinner?” His neck warmed.