Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(56)
“They met years ago and became…friends.”
“They met twenty years ago, Evan, and they didn’t become friends. They fell in love. Yet they couldn’t be together because they were both already committed to other people whom they didn’t love.”
“My mother was a wonderful woman, Rose. She was a good wife to my father.”
“From what I’ve heard, she sounds like an amazing person,” Rose agreed, “and I don’t doubt that she was, to produce a son as fine as you.” She smiled, patting his hand lightly. “But your father wasn’t in love with her. Surely you knew that.”
“Yes.” Evan sighed. “I suppose I did.”
“So when he met Aunt Iris all those years ago and fell in love, he wasn’t free to be with her, nor she with him. That’s sad, don’t you think?”
“Well, they’re together now.”
“Yes, after twenty years!” Rose chuckled softly. “Do you really want to wait twenty years for your true love?”
“You and I could grow to love each other in time,” Evan said. “That happens.”
“Yes, it does. I believe it did so with Maggie and the duke. And it could, with us. I hold you in high regard and I enjoy our time together and I enjoy our…kisses. But if that is the case, shouldn’t we wait until we fall in love to get married?”
“It’s time I got married, Rose.”
“Heavens, you’re only twenty-six. My brother is twenty-eight and unmarried, and the duke is thirty-two and only now just got married. You don’t need to be in any hurry.”
“My father thinks I should marry.”
“Really? I should think your father would understand your need to wait until you fall in love.”
“All right.” He let out a breathy laugh. “My father hasn’t said anything. I made that up.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I care for you more than any other woman I’ve known. Maybe it’s not true love, but it’s something.”
“It is. It’s a very nice something. But we are both young. Neither of us needs to be in any hurry.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
Rose withdrew the ring from her finger, placed it in his palm, closed his fingers over it, and clasped his hand in hers. “Let’s wait. We can still see each other if you would like, or we could take a break and see if that perfect someone comes along for either of us.”
“You’re a wise woman, Rose.” He kissed her cheek. “I wish we were in love.”
“Oh, Evan, so do I.” She brushed her lips lightly against his, in what she knew in her heart was their last kiss. “You will make some lucky woman very happy someday.”
“And I envy the man who wins your love, my dear.” He stood, helping her to her feet. “I have enjoyed our time together.”
“As have I,” Rose said earnestly. “I will always value your friendship, my lord.”
“May I escort you into the parlor for an aperitif?”
“Of course. I’d be delighted.”
“I’ll speak to my father later,” Evan said as they walked. “I’ll tell him you and I have decided to…wait a bit before rushing into marriage.”
“Thank you. I hope I haven’t put you in an awkward position.”
“No. I feel…good about things actually.”
“I’m glad. Truly glad.” Rose smiled into his handsome face. “I couldn’t bear it if I had caused you pain.”
He smiled. “You haven’t. I will miss you though.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Rose said, and she meant it with all her heart.
They found Sophie and Alexandra in the parlor.
“May I inquire as to Lady Longarry’s whereabouts?” Evan asked.
“Why?” Alexandra said. “So you can be rude to her?”
“Ally!” Sophie touched her sister’s arm. “My lord, she’s on the back terrace.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Evan excused himself.
“Rose, dear,” Alexandra said, “you looked a little pale. Are you feeling well?”
“It’s just been a trying day,” Rose said, “and I had a bout of nausea earlier. It’s just nerves.”
“Nerves? About what?” Sophie asked.
Rose took a deep breath. The girls didn’t know about Cameron, and she didn’t want to tell them. At least not yet. But she did need to tell them about Evan. “Lord Evan and I have decided to stop seeing each other.”
“That cad!” Alexandra said hotly. “The way he reacted to mother’s engagement, and now this. What on earth did he do to you?”
“He did nothing, Ally,” Rose said. “It was a mutual decision.”
“Dearest Rose, don’t try to be strong. And please don’t defend him.”
“I’m not. Really,” Rose said. “It honestly was a mutual decision. We’re simply not in love with each other.”
“He’s a fool,” Ally said.
“No more so than I,” Rose replied. “We decided that we’re both young yet, and we don’t want to tie ourselves down when we might find love with another. Look at his father and your mother. They fell in love twenty years ago but couldn’t be together because they both were committed to others.”