Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(17)

“She came in from playing and wouldn’t take any lunch. She’s burning up, Cam. She’s asking for you.”

“I’m sorry,” he said to Rose. “I have to go.”

“I’ll come with you,” Rose said.

“There’s no need.”

“Don’t be silly. I love that little girl.” Cameron’s seven-year-old sister, Katrina, had stolen Rose’s heart the day they met.

“Do come on then, both of you.” Tricia urged her horse into a gallop.

When they reached the Prices’ cottage, a large woman met them before they came near the house. “Doc is with her now, Cam. She’s asking for you.”

“Go ahead, Cameron,” Rose said. “I’ll take care of your horse.”

Cameron’s steely eyes were sunken and worried. “That’s kind of you, but I couldn’t impose on you. It’s not gentlemanly.”

“It was my idea,” Rose said. “Now go on.” Rose shooed Cameron and Tricia into the house. “Go see Kat. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of three horses.”



“She’s nice, Cam,” Tricia said as Rose led the horses to the stable.

“Nice, yes,” Cameron replied.

Mrs. Price was sitting in a chair in Katrina’s room while Dr. Hinkman examined her.

“Mum, what happened?” Cameron asked.

“She came in burning up,” Mrs. Price said.

“Cam?” Kat’s little voice croaked.

“Yes, Kitty-Kat, I’m here.”

“I don’t feel too good.”

“I know. The doctor is going to help you.”

Rose came in and stood in the doorway of Kat’s room.

“Lady Rose,” Mrs. Price said. “What are you doing here?”

“I met Mr. Price while I was out riding. A nice young man who works here, said his name was Arnold, offered to see to the horses so I could come see how Kat is doing. How is she?”

“We don’t know yet,” Mrs. Price said.

“I don’t like the look of it.” The doctor shook his head. “It could be scarlet fever.”

“No!” Mrs. Price clasped her hands to her face.

“We won’t know for sure until the rash comes,” Hinkman said, “but in the meantime, I’m going to have to quarantine all of you.”

“Quarantine? Why?” Mrs. Price asked.

“Because you’ve all been exposed. We don’t want an epidemic on our hands.”

“I should get back to Laurel Ridge,” Rose said.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” the doctor said, “but you’ll have to stay here. I can’t take the chance that you’ll expose everyone on the estate to scarlet fever.”

“Oh my…”

“Rose, I’m sorry,” Cameron said, ignoring the stern look from his mother upon using Rose’s Christian name. “If I’d known, I would have stayed away from you today.”

“Goodness, it’s certainly not your fault. But where will I stay? I have no provisions, or anything.”

“You can stay in the hired man’s cabin out back. Arnold lives a mile away and walks here every day, so he doesn’t use it,” Mrs. Price said.

Rose? In a hired man’s cabin? Cameron shook his head. “That wouldn’t be appropriate, Mum.”

“I’m sorry, Cam. It’s all we have.”

“Don’t be silly, Mr. Price. I’ll be fine. I’ll just…send a message to the house and have a servant bring me my personals.”

Rose’s face paled. Cameron wasn’t sure if it was because she was worried about Kat, or worried about getting scarlet fever herself, or because she would have to live as a peasant.

“Fine. I’ll show her to the cabin,” he said.

Cameron led Rose to the back door of the cottage. “I’m really sorry about this, Rose.”

“It’s not your fault, Cameron. I just hope Kat will be all right.”

“Yes, me too.”

“She’s strong,” Rose said. “My brother had scarlet fever when he was not but seven. He made a full recovery.”

“Thank God I have the commission money from the duke.” Cameron wiped sweat from his brow. “She’ll have the best medicine. I’m sending a message to Bath to that doctor the duke uses. What is his name?”

“Blake. Dr. Michael Blake.”

“Yes, I want him to see Kat.”

“I’m sure he’ll be happy to come out.”

Cameron warmed with embarrassment. How could he expect Rose to stay in such a tiny cabin? “This is it,” he said, opening the door. It was sparse, but clean. A double bed stood on two wooden planks, and a slipper tub graced the corner. A small fireplace, two chairs, and a tiny table completed the decor. The windows were curtained with threadbare cotton. “Hardly fit for a daughter of an earl, is it?”

Rose smiled and touched his cheek. “I’ll be fine.” She rose on her toes to kiss his lips.

“This is why you and I can’t be together, Rose. You shouldn’t have to live like this. You deserve better.”

“I’ll decide what I deserve. In the meantime, you’re stuck with me.” She kissed him again. “I…I would like for you to come to me tonight.”