Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(40)
When the two men left Laurel Ridge on Sunday afternoon, driving away in the Brighton carriage, Rose’s heart ached a bit for Evan. She did care deeply for him, even if she could never love him, and she hated to see him suffering. He had come to her in the conservatory and kissed her goodbye before he left, squeezing her and telling her he would see her soon. She had stroked his cheek and told him that she was here for him if he needed her.
The next day, Lucy and Maggie readied to visit the Lybrook tenants and see to their needs. The servants packed up food and other staples and loaded it into several wagons. Aunt Iris decided to go along, since she would soon be responsible for the Brighton tenants. She had never had any responsibility to the Longarry tenants, what few of them there were, because the Longarrys had barely had enough to see to their own needs, let alone others’. Sophie and Ally decided to ride along as well, and although Rose would have relished a day alone on the estate, her cousins begged her to come. She dreaded running into Cameron, but she was interested in hearing any news on Kat. She hadn’t heard from Dr. Blake in a few days, and she still worried about the little girl.
Rose admired the way Maggie and Lucy handled the tenants. They were both kind and humble, with an affectionate way of giving that made it seem that the tenants were doing them a favor by taking their extra goods. Rose smiled. Soon Lily would be making these rounds as the Duchess of Lybrook. Most of the tenants were kind and decent folk, clean and well fed. The Lybrooks clearly took care of their own. Responsibilities like this were not in Rose’s future. Evan, as a second son, wouldn’t have an estate of his own. The responsibilities for the Brighton tenants would fall to his brother’s wife after Uncle David passed on.
When they arrived at the Price cottage, Tricia was sweeping the front veranda. She smiled as her gaze met Rose’s. “Lady Rose, it’s so nice to see you!”
“Good afternoon, Tricia,” Rose said, running to the younger girl as the rest of the women descended from the carriage. “I’ve been so concerned about Kat. The last I heard there was no change. Tell me, is there any news?”
Tricia laughed. “It’s wonderful, my lady. Cam and I went to see her two days ago, and her fever had broken!”
Rose breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank goodness. I’ve been fraught with worry. I do love that little girl.”
“I know. Would you please come in and have a cup of tea? I know Cam would like to see you.”
No, he wouldn’t. Rose breathed deeply and forced a smile. “I’m afraid we don’t have time to stay, but I want to introduce you to my aunt and cousins.”
Rose made the necessary introductions and Tricia curtsied politely. Maggie asked about Kat, and Tricia filled them all in.
“That’s wonderful news,” Lucy said. “We’ve all been concerned about the poor little thing.”
“When will she be coming home?” Rose asked.
“Tomorrow or the next day, most likely,” Tricia said. “The doctor wanted to keep her a few days for observation since they never figured out exactly what caused her illness. They want to make sure she doesn’t have a relapse.”
“That’s good thinking,” Maggie said. “Tell me, my dear, is there anything our family can do for you? I know hospitalization is very expensive.”
“Thank you, but Cam was able to take care of it. He got a commission for another song, you know.”
“Really?” Rose tried to hide her unbounded elation. “That’s wonderful.”
“Yes, and he was quite pleased with the results. He said it was his best work ever.”
“Who commissioned it?”
“I’m not sure. All he said was that it was a peer.”
“That’s fine, just fine,” Rose said. “I’m happy for him.” And she meant it.
“Please won’t you all come in for some tea?” Tricia asked again.
“Could we, Aunt Maggie?” Ally asked. “I’m absolutely parched.
“I suppose there’s time,” Maggie said. Then, to Tricia, “Is your brother at home?”
“He’s around here somewhere.”
“You all go ahead in,” Rose said. “I need to get a package out of the carriage that I brought for Tricia.”
She quickly hurried back to the carriage to fetch the box of novels she had brought for the younger girl, and she hastily dug out a ten pound note from her reticule and placed it in one of the books. As she descended the carriage, she stood for a moment. The small cottage beckoned her. This was a home. Cameron’s home. A tear fell gently down her cheek. She would have lived here happily—without servants, without seven course meals, without modern plumbing—if only she could have been with Cameron. If only he had really loved her.
Cameron watched his beloved from the stables. Her blond hair was braided and twisted on top of her head in a severe style, so unlike the styles she normally wore. But today they were visiting tenants—a laborious day for a lady of the peerage. Her tan morning gown hugged her lush body, and she carried a box of what appeared to be books. Slowly he stepped out of the stable, unable to take his eyes off of her. Start walking, Rose, he said silently to himself. But still she stood, taking in the scenery. He should go back into the stables to avoid being seen. But he couldn’t make his feet move.