Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(88)
Like a cyclone, Evan flew toward Adams and tackled him to the ground with a thundering thud. Adams thrashed around under Evan’s mass, unable to move, and a shot fired from the gun into the ceiling. The horses thrashed and whinnied in their stalls. Cameron stood, immobile, his body numb.
“Get the bloody gun, Price,” came Evan’s muffled voice.
Cameron jolted back into awareness and ran toward the mass of limbs. Where was the gun? When he finally spied it in Adams’s right hand, he focused on it and kicked as hard as he could. The gun rattled across the dirt. Cam scurried forward, grabbed it, and held it on the still-thrashing duo.
“I’ve got it, Xavier. You can get off him.”
Evan landed a few ham-fisted punches to Adams’s face and then rose. Adams writhed on the dirt.
“Your bravery was humbling,” Cam said to Evan. “I’m in your debt.”
Evan shook his head as he rubbed his hands together. “Call it even. I’m not sure what got into me earlier. I’m truly sorry.”
“Price, are you all right?” The Duke of Lybrook burst in with three servants in tow.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine.” Cam brushed off his jacket. “Thanks to Xavier.”
“But Rose said—”
“That was a misunderstanding,” Cameron said. “But you’ll need to summon the authorities.” He pointed to the ground “This man is Dorrance Adams, and he tried to kill both Xavier and me.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Find the marquess, too. I believe he’s acquainted with this man. Evidently he’s our second cousin.”
Adams grunted, blood squirting from his nose. Two of the servants bound his hands behind his back and lifted him to his feet. “It’s off to the ice house with you,” one of them said, and they led him out of the stable.
“I say, Xavier,” Cameron said, slapping him on the back with more nerve than he felt. “I always knew I wanted you on my side.”
“I’m glad I could help. Can you forgive my earlier actions?”
“It’s already forgiven. If you hadn’t acted earlier, both Rose and I would have been here when Adams showed up, and we’d both surely be dead by now.” Cam smiled, his shuddering finally starting to subside. “Now let’s get cleaned up. I believe there’s supposed to be a wedding here on the morrow.”
Epilogue
After Auntie Iris and the Earl of Brighton became husband and wife, Rose and Cameron sneaked outside.
Rose sighed as Cameron drew her into his arms and kissed her. “You know,” she said, “this is the exact spot where we nearly made love after Lily’s wedding.”
Cameron trailed tiny kisses over her jaw line, the nape of her neck, and her shoulders which were nearly bare in her summer ball gown. She shivered at his touch, and her nipples tightened under her corset.
“And here we are, after yet another wedding.” Cam nibbled on her skin. “Whatever shall we do?”
“I’ve an idea.” Rose guided Cam’s hand underneath her dress. Her * quivered as she anticipated his heated touch.
Cameron gasped, and then chuckled. “Naughty girl. No drawers?” He slid his fingers through her folds. “And so wet, my lady. So wet for me.”
“For you, my lord.” She sighed against his neck, inhaling his salty scent. “Only for you.”
Coming Soon:
Lady Alexandra’s Lover
The story of Ally and … who will it be?
Author’s Note
The Theatre Royal in Bath, England opened in 1805. It is one of the more important theatres outside London, with a capacity to seat nine hundred. It is still open today and underwent a major renovation in 2010.
Since Zachary Newland is fictional and consequently never performed there, he also never opened the Regal Theatre. I needed a place for Cameron to compose, so I created the Regal.
Performers of the arts were often backed by benefactors. Thomas Attwood, the composer and organist, truly was a student of Mozart, and his expenses were paid by the Prince of Wales—later King George IV—who had been impressed by his talent at the harpsichord.
So in Rose and Cam’s fictional world, the Marchioness of Denbigh took young Zach Newland under her wing. Zach paid it forward by offering Cameron a job as a composer, even though he lacked formal education, and also because Zach hoped to maintain the Duke of Lybrook’s support for his venture.
Based on history, something similar just might have happened in a comparable place—and perhaps lives were changed, as they were in Rose in Bloom.
Dear Reader, Thank you for reading Rose in Bloom. If you want to find out about my current backlist and future releases, please like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/helenhardtauthor. I often do giveaways, as well.
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I wish you all the best!
Helen
Discussion Questions
1. The theme of a story is its central idea or ideas. To put it simply, it’s what the story means. How would you characterize the theme of Rose in Bloom?
2. Rose starts out as the traditional “good girl.” Is she still a “good girl” at the end of the story? Why or why not?