Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(29)

But for Kat, he felt he wouldn’t want to live at all.

Tricia was at the stove, putting something together for their dinner. Cameron had to eat, but he had no appetite.

Worry for Kat.

Loneliness for Rose.

Hatred for himself.

No happiness. No contentment. No peace.

“Cam, dinner’s ready,” Tricia said.

Cameron sighed. He would eat. He needed strength for Kat. And he needed his brain at full functioning power to write that damned composition for Xavier. He would start tonight.



Crawford, the Lybrook butler, led the two men into the main parlor. “May I present the Earl of Brighton and Lord Evan Xavier,” he said.

Iris gulped as Maggie rose to greet them.

“My lord,” Maggie said to the earl, “it has been too long. We are so glad to have your presence here at Laurel Ridge.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Brighton said. “My son speaks highly of the hospitality you have shown him over the past month. May I congratulate you on the marriage of your son.”

“Thank you, my lord. We are so sorry that you were unable to come to the wedding.”

“Alas, I was out of the country, as I’m sure Evan told you. I had business in Spain that took little over two months. The Brighton estate has substantial holdings there.”

“It’s good to have you home, my lord. You remember my sister, Miss Lucinda Landon?”

“Yes, it’s good to see you, Miss Landon.” The earl bent over to kiss Lucy’s hand.

“And may I present the Countess of Longarry. She is a longtime friend of Lucy’s and mine, and aunt to my new daughter-in-law.”

Iris stood, but her legs wouldn’t propel her forward. David had hardly changed in twenty years. His brown eyes, fringed in dark lashes, still had a way of penetrating her soul. His dark blond hair was now streaked with silver, and his face, pleasantly handsome like his son’s, defied his age. Only a few laugh lines around his eyes betrayed his sixty years. He strode toward her, so tall and broad, like Evan, and took her hand.

“My lady,” he said, their eyes meeting.

“I-It’s…good to see you, my lord,” Iris stammered. “I trust your journey was pleasant?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Alexandra cleared her throat.

“My lord,” Iris said. “May I present my daughters, Lady Alexandra and Lady Sophie MacIntyre.”

“Such charming young ladies,” the earl said, taking each of their hands in turn. “Just babes when I saw you last.”

“Have we met, my lord?” Alexandra asked.

“You were but a few months old, as I recall. I met you two and your mother at the Ashford estate some…twenty years ago, I’d say.”

“Father,” Evan interrupted, taking Rose’s arm. “I’d like to present Lady Rose Jameson.”

“It’s an honor, my lord,” Rose said.

“Another charming lady who I last saw as a babe,” Brighton declared. “She is a beauty, Evan.”

“Yes, I think so too,” Evan replied.

Rose flushed. “I…have been looking forward to meeting you. I’m sure my sister and brother-in-law will be sorry that they missed your visit.”

“On their honeymoon?” Brighton laughed. “I doubt they’ll be the least bit sorry. I am looking forward to meeting the new duchess though. Perhaps all of you could come to my estate for the weekend after they return.”

“That’s a fine idea, Father,” Evan agreed.

“We’ll plan on it, then.” Brighton took an aperitif from a maid and took a sip. “I’m looking forward to dinner. You and Lybrook, may he rest in peace, always served the finest meals here, Your Grace.”

“We have had the same kitchen staff for over ten years,” Maggie said. “I’m sure they have something elegant planned.”

Crawford entered quietly. “Dinner is served, Your Grace.”

“Wonderful, Crawford. If you would all follow me,” Maggie said. “I hope you don’t mind. Since we are such a small group, I thought the informal dining room would be nicer and more…intimate.”

Iris warmed from head to toe. More intimate indeed. Maggie couldn’t possibly know about her affair with David, could she? Lucy had promised to keep their conversation in confidence. When she found herself seated next to David, though, she cast Lucy a sideways glance. Lucy’s lips curved ever so slightly upward. Yes, it had been purposefully arranged. David, always the consummate gentleman, held Iris’s chair for her as she sat down nervously.

“Tell me, my lord,” she said, “how are your other children?”

“They’re well, my lady. Jacob, my heir, is betrothed to Lady Emily Wilkes, the daughter of Earl of St. Clair, a fine young woman. And Miranda is married to Viscount Odegard. They have a small son, Peter.”

“How nice.” Now what to say? The silence was becoming stifling. She pleadingly looked at Lucy.

“Do you enjoy grandparenthood, my lord?” Lucy asked, giving Iris a subtle wink.

The earl laughed jovially. “Oh, yes, Peter is a spry little fellow. I wish I saw him more. My daughter and her husband prefer to spend most of their time in London, so we aren’t together often. The countess would have doted on him. I only regret that she passed on before he was born.”