Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(55)

Later, after Rose had napped and changed clothes, she descended to the main parlor and found Evan waiting for her.

“Good afternoon, Rose.”

“Evan, I didn’t expect you so early. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to greet you. Is your father here as well?”

“No. He had some business to attend to. He will be here in time for dinner, though.”

“Are you feeling better about his marriage?”

“I’m dealing with it,” Evan said. “But that’s not what I came here to talk about. Could you come with me for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Evan led her to the conservatory where a dozen red roses greeted her.

“How lovely,” she gushed.

“That’s only the beginning. Come here.” He showed her to the grand piano. “I want you to play something for me.”

She sat down on the cushioned bench and regarded the music set before her. It looked slightly familiar. As she began to play, the pleasant tune came back to her. It was the song she had played on Cameron’s twangy pianoforte, from the notes she had seen. The final version was brilliant, and on the grand piano was nothing less than exquisite. Rose’s fingers danced over the ivory keys, and her eyes misted.

This song was for her. Images of her and Cameron making love floated up from the keys, so clearly that she felt sure Evan could see them as well. Her cheeks warmed.

“This is a beautiful tune, Evan.”

“It’s called Wandering Rose. I had it written for you.”

Rose closed her eyes and willed back the tears. Cameron had written the song for her.

Well, no, he hadn’t. He had accepted money to write it for Evan to give to her.

Yet the music spoke to her, as if Cameron had entered her mind and taken the tune from her very soul. She opened her eyes. She was only imagining it. Cameron had been able to write a compelling waltz for Lily, one that spoke to Lily and her beloved, Daniel, without being in love with his subject. This was no different. She swallowed, steeling herself.

“It’s lovely, Evan,” she said. “I do thank you for the gift.”

“Come with me.”

Evan took her hand and pulled her up from the piano bench and over to the satin couch, urging her to sit. He knelt before her. Rose sighed. She knew what was coming next.

“Rose,” he said, “we’ve known each other for over two months now, and I care very much for you. I would consider it an honor if you would become my wife.” He took a diamond ring out of his pocket and placed it on the fourth finger of her left hand.

“Evan, I’m honored, I truly am,” Rose said, eyeing the ring he placed on her finger. It was a beautiful flawless diamond, at least three carats, she guessed.

“Then your answer is yes?”

“I…well…I’m v-very fond of you,” she stammered, “but, I need to know. Are you…in love with me?”

Evan rose from his knees and sat down next to her on the couch, taking her right hand in his. He played gently with her fingers. “I care very deeply for you, Rose. As to love? I don’t want to lie to you. I honestly do not know if I’m in love with you. I may well be. I care for you more than I’ve ever cared for another.”

Rose sighed. “If you were in love with me, you would know.”

“Are you in love with me?”

“No, Evan. Although I wish I were. I truly do.”

“Then how can you say I would know if I loved you?”

Because I’m in love with someone else. “My sister told me,” she lied. “It’s not something one can put into words, apparently, but you’ll know when it happens. You’ve no doubt never been in love.”

“No, I suppose I haven’t.” He toyed with her hand. “But I do hold you in high esteem. And I’m attracted to you, and I want you. Many marriages have been built on less than that.”

“Yes, I know.”

“So I offer you my proposal. I think we could have a good marriage, Rose. We could be content. You would want for naught, I promise you, and I will devote myself to you and to our children.”

She smiled. He was a good man, and she didn’t want to hurt him. “I think we could have a good marriage too. And I believe you to be an honorable man, and I find you attractive and intelligent, and I enjoy your company.”

“Then why don’t we give it a try?”

“I had thought to do that. But, Evan, I’ve decided that… I think we both deserve better.”

“Better meaning…?”

She squeezed his hand. “We deserve love, Evan.”

He massaged her palm with his thumb. “We may never find that.”

“True, we may not. But what if one of us did? What if, five years from now, you found your soul mate, but you were unable to be with her because you were committed to me? I know you are honorable, Evan, and you would never leave me.”

“No, of course I wouldn’t.”

“But you would want to.”

“No, I—”

“Look at your own parents’ marriage.”

Evan looked away. “My parents had a good marriage.”

“Yes, but…how much do you know about the history between your father and my aunt?”