Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(68)

Lily assumed the position as Melina held the crystal over her abdomen. “A boy for you, my dear. An heir for the duke.”

“An heir! How marvelous!” Lily exclaimed. “Wait a minute. How did you know my husband was the duke?”

“Melina knows.”

Lily sat up and fumbled with her reticule. “I don’t know if you’re right, Melina, but you’ve certainly been entertaining.” She handed the crone several more coins. “For your time and trouble. And your discretion,” she added.

“The duchess is generous,” Melina said. “Melina thanks you.” Then, turning to Rose, “Do not despair. Your man loves you and will return.” The crone pulled a pink rose out of a vase behind her table. “Take this rose. Scatter the petals at midnight tonight. Your man will catch the scent and return to your arms.”

Lily rolled her eyes, but Rose was desperate.

“Yes, I will,” she said, taking the flower. “Thank you so very much.” She fumbled with her reticule.

Melina stopped her. “The duchess has paid more than necessary. You keep your coins.”

“No, I insist.” Rose placed a sovereign in the crone’s wrinkled hand. “I don’t know whether I believe you, but I do feel better.”

“I cannot take so much.” Melina shook her head.

Rose folded the old woman’s fingers around the gold coin. “Please. You’ve helped me more than you know.”

“Rose, you don’t actually believe this nonsense, do you?” Lily said.

“No,” Rose said, “but I do feel better. I’m not sure why. Bless you, Melina.”

“Bless you, my lady.” Melina smiled. “Blessed be to you and yours and to the Goddess.”



When the ladies had left the tent, a large gypsy man entered from a hidden door behind Melina’s chair. “Do you really think her man will return to her?” he asked.

“Hell if I know,” Melina said. “Thank you for telling me who they were.” She tossed him a few shillings.

He put the coins in his pocket. “How did you know they were both with child?”

“I don’t need the sight for that. A woman gets a look about her. When you’ve lived as many moons as I, it’s easy enough to recognize.”

“Poor thing.”

“Yes. Keep it to yourself. We’ve been highly compensated for our discretion.” Melina smiled.



“It’s about time for the archery, isn’t it?” Lily said to Daniel.

“I believe you’re right.” He turned to Thomas. “What do you say, Jameson? Would you care to let me best you in contest?”

“I’ve a rotten aim I’m afraid,” Thomas said, “but Lily tells me you’re amazing.”

“Yes, and he’s great with a bow and arrow, too,” Lily teased.

Thomas rolled his eyes as Daniel raised Lily’s hand to his lips and kissed it lightly, smiling at his adoring wife. “I assume Price will be here. I won’t let him beat me again.”

Rose swallowed. Her heart still thundered at the thought of seeing Cam. Of course, Daniel didn’t yet know that Cameron had left the Lybrook land and would probably not be at the festival.

Cameron wasn’t there, as Rose suspected, but Evan was, and he nearly beat Daniel.

“Good show, Xavier,” Daniel said.

“You as well, Lybrook,” he said.

“Yes, Evan,” Rose said with a smile. “I had no idea you were such a fine archer.” She purposefully used his Christian name again. After all, he was the man she had decided to marry.

“We oarsmen have our other hobbies as well,” Evan said, chuckling. “I heard you got bested on May Day, Lybrook.”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. My only regret is that Price wasn’t here today to lose to me.” His laughter rang across the festival.

Sophie and Alexandra hurried toward them. “I’m sorry we didn’t see your archery contest, Evan,” Sophie said.

Sophie’s use of his Christian name startled Rose, but of course, he would be her stepbrother soon. Family always addressed each other informally.

“That’s quite all right,” Evan said. “Lybrook won, although I took a close second.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Sophie said. “We would have gotten here sooner, but Ally insisted on speaking to a fortune teller.”

“Yes, I apologize,” Alexandra said, hardly sparing Evan a glance. “But I got the most delicious news about Mr. Landon from an old gypsy crone named Melina.”

“Oh dear, Ally, not you too,” Lily said.

“Indeed,” Rose said. “What did she say?”

“She said that my true love is closer than I think,” Alexandra gushed. “Isn’t that terrific? Mr. Landon must be on his way home to me!”

“Have his letters indicated that he’s coming home soon?” Lily asked.

“No, but perhaps he’s planning to surprise me.”

“I suppose that’s possible.” Lily rolled her eyes. “What shall we do now?”

“How about a pint?” Thomas said amiably.

“I’m with Jameson,” Evan said. “I fear my thirst needs quenching.”