Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(39)

“I’m sorry, you must be mistaken,” Cameron said. “I just spoke to my mother, and she said the bill was over one hundred and fifty pounds.”

“You did say Katrina Price?”

“Yes.”

“That’s the name on this bill. Fifty-six pounds.”

“What does that include?”

“Room and board for Katrina and your mother, Dr. Blake’s fees, fees for several specialists, nursing fees, medication, laundry, etcetera. It’s all written out here if you’d like to have a look.”

“Yes, please.” Cameron took the paper. “Wait a minute.” He handed the bill back to the man. “This shows a credit of one hundred pounds. Why is that?”

The young man adjusted his spectacles. “It appears that you made a payment two days ago of one hundred pounds. Pretty straightforward.”

“But I haven’t made any payments.”

“Perhaps your mother—”

“I only gave her thirty pounds.” What was going on? “Perhaps there’s been some mistake. Is it possible that you credited the wrong account?”

“Of course not. I never make mistakes like that.”

“There’s always a first time, sir.”

“I’ll look into it, but I doubt it.” The young man snorted. “In the meantime, I can only take the fifty-six pounds from you.”

“Of course.” Cameron counted out notes and paid the man. “Here you are.”

“Thank you. I’ll contact you if I find an error.”

“I would appreciate it. Good day, sir.”

“Good day, Mr. Price.”

Cameron headed back up to Kat’s room. She was still her gay self, laughing and chatting.

“You’re back, Cam!”

“You didn’t think I was going anywhere, did you?”

“How long can you stay?”

“Tricia and I need to head back soon. It’s a long trip on horseback, and I want to get home before sundown.”

“Can you come again tomorrow?”

“Kat,” Mrs. Price said, “it’s too hard of a trip for them to come again. We’ll be home in a few days.”

“But I thought you’d bring Lady Rose the next time.”

“Dear Lord.” Mrs. Price crossed herself.

“Mum,” Cameron said, thankful to be able to change the subject, “the bookkeeper said someone made a payment of one hundred pounds on our bill a few days ago. Do you know what that is about?”

“No. There must be some mistake.”

“Yes, I figured as much. The bookkeeper is looking into it.” He counted out notes from his billfold. “Here is one hundred pounds. Keep it. They’ll no doubt come back with the error sometime tomorrow, and I don’t want them to have to wait for their money. In fact”—he counted out more bills—“here’s another thirty. That should cover the next few days plus your transport home. If you could take care of it before you leave, that will save us having to send the payment.”

“But does that leave you and Tricia with any money?”

“Yes, I have a few pounds left, and I’ve already paid Arnold through the end of next month. We’ll be fine. Besides, I finished another commission and I’ll be getting paid the balance soon.”

“All right, if you say so, Cam.”

“Tell me, will Dr. Blake be by yet today?”

“He was here just before you and Tricia came. He probably won’t be back until this evening.”

“I would have liked to talk to him.” Cameron stood. “Well, I guess you’ve told us everything he said, haven’t you?”

“Yes, Cam.”

“All right then.” He leaned down and kissed Kat on the forehead. “I’m so glad you’re well, Kitty-Kat. Trish and I will both sleep better tonight.”

“Yes, that’s for sure,” Tricia added, squeezing the little girl’s hand.

“We’ll see you in a few days then,” Mrs. Price said. “Thank you for coming. It meant a lot to both of us.”

“To us as well,” Cameron said. “Come on, Tricia.”



Cameron and Tricia arrived home at sundown and supped on tea and sandwiches. Tricia retired to her chamber to read, while Cameron stayed up far into the night, finalizing his composition and neatly transferring it to parchment. He knew Xavier was at Laurel Ridge visiting Rose for the weekend, so he sent a message to him early the next morning that the commission was complete.

Cameron sighed. It was official. He had sold Rose, his soul mate and only love, for two hundred pounds.

He cursed himself before falling into bed Sunday morning.





Chapter Eight


Rose didn’t get a chance to speak with Evan alone regarding his father’s impending marriage. They never went riding with his father over the weekend, nor did she play the piano for him. Evan was out of sorts for the remainder of his visit. Although Rose tried to engage him several times, he would not speak to her about what was bothering him.

“He’s a sensible lad,” Lord Brighton had said to her again. “We’ll be back next weekend, and I’m sure he’ll be ready to talk about it then.”