Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(64)

“He’s a gentleman. Unlike some others.”

“I’m glad he didn’t, Lily. I really didn’t want to sleep with him.”

“But you’ll have to now, if you insist on going through with this ridiculous plan of yours.”

“Yes. I will. It won’t be so bad. He’s very attractive and very kind.”

“Rose, you’re talking in fragments. I think it might be best if you told me the whole story, from the beginning. I’ll order some tea.”

Between gulps, sobs, and a bit of laughter, Rose poured out the whole story, beginning with meeting Cam by the stream and Kat’s illness up to their last encounter in the hired man’s cabin and Evan’s proposal.

“He left me, Lily. He and his mother and the girls are gone. They took everything. Everything except the bed where we made love.”

“We’ll find him.”

“No, we won’t. He doesn’t want to be found.”

“If they’ve vacated the Lybrook land, they must have sent notice to Daniel. Likely it’s buried in his correspondence somewhere. Perhaps they left forwarding instructions. I’ll have him look for it.”

“No. Don’t. I don’t want Daniel to know about this.”

“Rose dear, Daniel is a very powerful man. If anyone can find Cameron and make him do right by you, it’s Daniel.”

“I don’t want to force him to marry me. I…I’d rather have Evan. He’ll be kind and gentle. Cameron will hate me for trapping him.”

“You haven’t trapped anyone. This is just as much his responsibility as it is yours.”

“I’m afraid society doesn’t see it that way; Lily. You know I’m right.”

“Nonsense. I don’t give two figs what society thinks. You are the sister of the Duchess of Lybrook. I dare any of them to say one vile word against you!”

“Please, I can’t have you ruining your own reputation in a futile attempt to save mine. What will Daniel think?”

“Daniel loves me, Rose. You know that. And he doesn’t care about reputations. Remember, he had a renowned one himself before I made an honest man of him.”

“But—”

“If Cameron won’t do right by you, you can stay here. Make your home with Daniel and me. We have plenty of room.”

“And become the next spinster aunt? I suppose that would be tolerable, but my situation isn’t the same as Lucy’s. I’ll have a bastard child, Lily.”

“That child is my niece or nephew, and you’re my sister. I won’t see you put out.”

“I still think Evan is the best alternative.”

“But you don’t love him, and you’re carrying another man’s child.”

“He’ll never know it’s not his, and I can be happy with him. I’ll be a loving and devoted wife. He won’t suffer by marrying me.”

“Of course he won’t, but…you love another.”

Rose sighed. “Another whom I can’t have.”

“Are you sure Cameron doesn’t love you? I know he said as much, but his actions speak otherwise, as does his mother.”

“He left, didn’t he?”

“Yes, but he may have had reason, which is why you should let Daniel find him.”

“No. I don’t want him found. I shall deal with this on my own. Seeing him is like torture for me. I need your word.”

“All right. You have my word. I won’t look for him. But I think you’re making a mistake.”

“Then it’s mine to make. After Auntie Iris’s wedding, I’ll tell Evan that I’ve reconsidered his proposal.”

Lily took her hand. “If that is your wish.”



Rose did her best to appear delighted at dinner that evening. It was a jovial affair, with Lily and Daniel telling stories about their wedding trip. Daniel gazing lovingly at Lily’s midriff several times during the evening, so Rose guessed Lily had told him her news and asked that he not speak of it to anyone yet. She felt as if she had been pricked with a sharp thorn. Her sister’s happiness was being quashed because of her own situation.

All around her, love was in the air. Lily and Daniel hardly took their eyes off of each other. Iris spoke of her impending marriage to Lord Brighton with a smile Rose wasn’t sure she had ever seen on her aunt’s pretty face. Ally gossiped of Mr. Landon’s business dealings in Scotland, where he had been for several weeks. Even sweet conservative Sophie’s eyes lit up when Lord Van Arden’s name came up in conversation. Although he wasn’t officially courting her, he still came by now and then to visit. Other than Aunt Lucy and Aunt Maggie, Rose was the only one not paired off. Nausea nagged at her, and she wasn’t sure whether it was her condition or her emotions. Most likely a combination of both.

“Rose, aren’t you listening to me?” Ally nudged her.

“What? I’m sorry, Ally.”

“I said, aren’t you excited about the Midsummer festival?”

“Oh. Of course. But Papa is coming tomorrow. He may not allow me to attend. You know how he feels about pagan rituals.”

“I’ll speak to Papa, Rose,” Lily said.

“It’s not important,” Rose said. “I…may not even want to go.”