Rose in Bloom (19 page)

“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.”

“Admittedly, that sounds good,” Daniel agreed, “but the ladies—”

“Oh for goodness’ sake, go on with them,” Lily said. “You’re allowed a few carefree remnants of your bachelor days.” She shooed the men off. “The girls and I will shop. I want to look at the oriental silk some more. Let’s meet back here in an hour. I don’t want to miss the spiral dance.”

“Perfect,” Daniel said. “Buy whatever you want, love.”

“Do you hear yourself, Lybrook?” Thomas chortled. “I’m not sure you need another drink.”

The three men laughed as they tottered off together.

Alexandra sighed. “I do believe those are the three best-looking men in England,” she said thoughtfully. “My cousin, my cousin-in-law, and my future stepbrother. Of all the rotten luck!”

“Ally, do you ever think of anything but men?” Sophie shook her head.

“Come now, they’re splendid, and you know it.”

“I have to agree with her,” Lily said. “Especially the one in the middle. Now come on, let’s shop! I want to get some of that incredible silk.”

“I still can’t believe you aren’t marrying Evan, Rose,” Ally said. “I admit he isn’t my favorite person in the world, but he’s damned good-looking!”

“Ally! Your language.” Sophie sighed.

“I’m beginning to regret our mutual decision,” Rose said.

“Really?” Alexandra raised her eyebrows. “So you feel more for him than you thought?”

“I’m thinking about it,” Rose said, “and that’s all I’m saying.” She shot Lily a look telling her to keep quiet.

“Well, I certainly can’t blame you,” Ally said. “He is spectacular.”

Spectacular indeed
. Alexandra was right. All three of them were. But one existed who put them all to shame, who stole her breath with a single glance.

Cameron. The father of her child.

* * * *

The men returned from their jaunt to the tavern, pleasantly relaxed. The ladies awaited them, their arms full of parcels.

“Dear God, Lybrook,” Thomas said, approaching. “Do you see what you’ve done? They’ve gone and bought out the place.”

“I’m sorry, Daniel,” Lily said. “We didn’t have time to deliver our purchases to the carriage or we would have been late to meet you.”

“No problem, love. We’ll take them for you.” He motioned to Thomas and Evan.

“You’re kidding, right?” Thomas said, winking. “She’s your problem now. Once you married her, all big brother duties officially ceased.”

“Thomas, you fool,” Lily laughed.

“You’re still her brother,” Daniel said. Then, to Evan, “and you’re her cousin, almost. Come on.”

“To be fair, it’s not all Lily’s,” Ally chimed in. “Rose and I both purchased the most beautiful scarves, and Sophie found a wonderful shawl.”

By the time the men returned from their errand, the spiral dance had begun. The druids, clad in white diaphanous veils and flower garlands and crowns, moved slowly in a circle, their arms outstretched. A flautist accompanied them as they spiraled toward the center of the circle, never colliding.

“During the dance,” Daniel explained, “each dancer faces each other dancer at least once. As they spiral, they raise energy to call the Goddess.”

“It’s beautiful,” Lily sighed.

“Yes, it is,” Rose agreed.

“Oh my!” Sophie exclaimed, as the leader of the spiral joined hands with another woman and kissed her on the mouth.

“That’s just part of the dance,” Daniel said. “Physical contact helps them raise energy. Sometimes they do this dance during a full moon. It’s called drawing down the moon. They raise energy from the moon to work their magick.”

“Magic?” Rose queried. “They hardly look the smoke and mirrors type.”

“Magick with a K, Rose,” Daniel said. “It’s how the pagans pray.”

“How do you know so much about this, Daniel?” Lily asked.

“My parents brought Morgan and me to all the festivals when we were lads.”

“It’s really beautiful, isn’t it,” Rose said. “Who would have thought pagan rituals could be so inspiring?”

“Not Papa, that’s for sure,” Lily said. “He’s as devout a Christian as there is.”

“This is all new to you then?” Evan asked.

“Oh, yes,” Rose replied. “Papa never allowed us to participate in any of the pagan celebrations. No May Day, no Midsummer, no Samhain, no Yule.”

“We saw some in Scotland,” Alexandra interjected. “Especially where the Celtic clans settled. Sophie and I didn’t go often, but when our father was out of town, which, unfortunately, wasn’t near enough, mother sometimes took us. It was quite a treat.”

“I don’t know much about your father,” Evan said. “My father hasn’t enlightened me much about Iris’s past.”

Alexandra shook her head nonchalantly. “Believe me, you’re better off not knowing.” She turned to Daniel. “Shouldn’t we be leaving soon, if we’re to dine and change for the theatre?”

“Yes, you’re absolutely right. I’m sorry you won’t see the bonfires, Lily.”

“Oh, don’t worry a smidge about that. This has been a wonderful day.” Lily waved her hands. “And I can’t wait for tonight. Imagine, being present for a new theatre’s debut!”

Daniel took her hand and kissed it, and they headed toward the awaiting carriages.

Rose’s heart hurt. As much as she relished the fact that her sister was in love with the man of her dreams, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for herself. She imagined Cam kissing her hand, carrying her parcels, pulling her body close to his from behind and whispering in her ear. She clutched the rose from Melina tightly and touched her abdomen, hoping her unborn daughter could feel her love.

I promise you
, Rose told her child silently,
that I will love you as much as any mother and father combined have ever loved a child. You’ll want for naught. As God, or the Goddess, is my witness, I promise you.

Chapter Fifteen

“I do wish we could have gone to the festival,” Kat said as her sister helped her into her new dress.

“Yes, me too,” Tricia agreed, “but you know Cam didn’t have time to take us. He’s been at the theatre all day preparing for opening night.”

“I don’t like his new job,” Kat pouted.

“Why in the world not? It’s because of his new job that you have this lovely little gown to wear this evening.”

“I’d rather have Cam,” Kat whined. “We hardly ever see him anymore. He’s never here for dinner, and I’m asleep by the time he gets home. Then he’s gone in the morning before I wake up.”

“I know.” Tricia sighed, fastening the last button on her sister’s pink gown. “It will get better, Kitty-Kat. He only had two weeks to write the music for the play. He’ll have more time for his next composition so he won’t have to work such long hours.”

“I think he misses Lady Rose.”

Tricia arched her eyebrows. Her little sister was observant. “I think it’s you who miss Lady Rose, Kat.”

“Yes, I do. I wish she could be our governess instead of Miss Penney.”

“Goodness, Kat, Lady Rose is a lady of the peerage. She would never be someone’s governess. Besides, Miss Penney is a jewel. Aren’t you fond of her?”

“She’s pretty, but not as pretty as Lady Rose.”

“No one’s as pretty as Lady Rose,” Tricia said.

“You are.”

Tricia laughed softly. “That’s a fine compliment, Kat. Thank you.”

“And Lady Lily is too.”

“And someday you will be, I’ve no doubt. Turn around now.” Tricia brushed Kat’s soft dark hair. While Tricia and Cameron possessed hair black as night, Kat’s was a rich brown that fell in soft curls around her shoulders. Her cocoa-colored eyes and pretty round face would one day mature into true beauty. “How would you like to wear your hair up tonight, Kitty-Kat?” she asked.

“Could I, Trish?”

“Just this once, I think you could.”

“What will Mum say?”

“She won’t say anything. We’ll stay up here until it’s time to go.” Tricia piled Kat’s soft curls on top of her head. “You have lovely hair. One day the boys are going to flock to you.”

“Like they flock to you?”

“Well, they’re hardly flocking now.”

“They did at our old house.”

Tricia smiled. Yes, she had garnered her share of attention from the tenants and village men. But here, in the city, without a recognized name or dowry, she would have a more difficult time. Her sixteenth birthday was less than a month away, and Cameron still felt she was too young to be courted anyway. “We’re no longer at our old house.” She placed the last pin in her little sister’s hair. “Now, come to the looking glass.”

“I love it!” Kat squealed.

“I’m glad.” Tricia kissed Kat and gave her cheeks a pinch. “There, now you have some color. That’s what ladies do so they’ll have a rosy complexion.”

Kat giggled and pinched them again.

“Not so much, Kat, or you’ll bruise yourself. Just a little.” Tricia pinched her own cheeks. “See? Like that. Now you sit down on the bed, and you can watch me get ready.”

Tricia had already donned her periwinkle-blue evening gown, so she sat down to begin work on her hair.

“Your dress is the color of your eyes,” Kat said.

“More the color of Cam’s eyes,” Tricia replied. “Mine are considerably darker.”

“No, Cam’s are more like silver,” said Kat. “Mum says he has our papa’s eyes.”

“Yes, he does.”

“I wish I could remember Papa.”

“I know, Kat. He was a good papa. I’m sorry you didn’t get to know him.”

“Oh well.” Kat sighed softly, fanning out her skirt on Tricia’s bed. “My skirt makes noise.” She giggled.

“It’s made of taffeta. It rustles.”

“I like the sound of it.”

“So do I.”

“I never imagined I’d have such a fine dress.”

“Nor did I, Kat.”

“Do you think I’ll ever have another dress like this one?”

“I’m sure you will. The way you’re growing, that one will no longer fit you by the end of the summer.”

“What of yours?”

“Mine will fit me for a while,” Tricia said, giggling, “unless I grow fat.”

“You won’t,” Kat said. “Mum isn’t fat.”

“True.” Tricia put the finishing touches on her hair. “There.” She turned to face her sister. “How do I look?”

“Like a princess,” Kat breathed. “Now pinch your cheeks and bite your lips.”

“Bite my lips?” Tricia smiled. “How did you know about that little trick?”

“I’ve seen you do it.”

“You are the observant one.” In more ways than one. Tricia turned her attention back to the looking glass and was pleased with the results. Her mind wandered for a moment to the handsome Lord Jameson, Lady Rose’s brother. She would no doubt never see him again. Well, it was just a silly fantasy anyway.

She quickly glanced at the clock on her night table. “We’d best go down,” she said to Kat. “Cam said the coach was coming for us promptly at eight. Are you ready, Miss Katrina?”

“Yes, Miss Price.” Kat put her small pink hand into Tricia’s and skipped alongside her down the hallway to the staircase.

* * * *

Rose stared out her chamber window as two carriages pulled away from the Lybrook mansion. She had begged out of the theatre this evening, and but for her parents and Evan’s brother and sister, was alone in the house. The earl and countess had decided to stay in as well, as the countess was feeling a bit poorly. Rose used her mother’s illness as an excuse, stating that she must be coming down with the same thing. Truthfully, although she wasn’t feeling her best, due no doubt to her condition, she could hardly say she felt ill. In fact, her nausea had lessened a bit today, after her encounter with the gypsy crone. Melina’s ramblings had no merit, of course, but Rose’s heart wanted to be here at midnight to scatter the rose petals to bring her love home to her. She would scatter them off the back terrace, over the area where she and Cameron had nearly made love.

After a small supper, she bathed and changed into her nightdress. She wasn’t going anywhere anyway, and she desired the comfort of her night clothes while she played the grand piano in the conservatory. She ran through her repertoire and played through a few new pieces that she was working on. After two hours, she went to look in on her mother, and finding her well, returned to her chamber to read.

* * * *

Daniel led the group consisting of himself and Lily, the dowager duchess and Lucy, Iris and Lord Brighton, Alexandra, Sophie, Evan, and Thomas to their reserved box at the new Regal Theatre.

“My, this is divine!” Alexandra gushed, caressing the red velvet chairs with her gloved fingers. “Are all theatres this elegant?”

“They are all elegant, though perhaps not quite this elegant,” Daniel said. “Newland really pulled out all the stops, I’d say.”

“If your contribution helped pay for this, I’m all for continuing our patronage,” Lily said. “This is wonderful.”

The ladies took the front row of seats, while the gentlemen sat behind them. “A box that seats twelve,” Lucy said. “This is decadent.”

“Newland built two large boxes to accommodate his patrons,” Daniel explained. “The other boxes seat six.”

“I’m so sorry Rose isn’t here,” Sophie said. “She would love this.”

“Yes, she would,” Lily agreed.

“I hope she and Auntie Flora are feeling better for the wedding tomorrow.” Sophie worried her hands.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Iris said.

“Yes, yes, they’ll be fine,” Lily said. “Neither would miss your wedding for anything in the world, Auntie.”

Lily thumbed through her program, reading the biographies of the actors. Zachary Newland’s list of accomplishments was impressive, as was the director’s. Most of the other actors were not as well-known, although she did recognize a few of their names. She skimmed through their histories, noting the highlights, and then nearly jumped out of her seat when she came to a familiar name.

Cameron Price, Composer.

Quickly she returned to the front page of her program and read through every word. At the bottom, in small print, under choreography but above set design was written: Original Score by Cameron Price. Lily exhaled sharply and went back to the biography page. Cameron’s bio was shorter than most.

Mr. Price is a published composer of two works, a ballad and a waltz, and has also written several private commissions. He hails from Wiltshire County. A country boy at heart, he is the son of Mrs. Colton Price of Bath. Cameron thanks Mr. Zachary Newland and the Duke of Lybrook for this chance to compose for the Regal. He dedicates his part in opening night to his beloved sisters, Patricia and Katrina and to the memory of his father.

The Duke of Lybrook? Lily turned around to her husband who was conversing with Evan. “Daniel?”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but you need to read this.” She handed him the program and pointed to the relevant entry.

Daniel read it quickly. “Yes?” he said again.

“Why is he thanking you?” Lily asked.

“I’m not sure, although it probably has something to do with the fact that I sent Newland a copy of your waltz.”

“You did?”

“Yes. It was quite good, as you know, and I thought Newland might be able to use a composer for his venture. It seems I was right.”

“Oh my.”

“Good for Price,” Daniel continued. “I always thought he was made for more than mere tenancy on our land.”

“I must speak with him.” Lily started to rise.

Daniel put his hands on her shoulders. “Not now, love. The show is about to start.”

“I don’t care. He’s here somewhere. I need to speak with him now!”

“No, Lily,” Daniel said sharply.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice to me!” Lily whispered angrily.

“Calm down, love. I’m not raising my voice to you. But the play is going to start. Look, there go the lights.”

“Daniel, you don’t understand. It’s a…matter of grave importance!” She wanted to tell him more, but Evan’s presence next to Daniel made that impossible.

“We’ll find him at intermission,” Daniel said. “Come on, you don’t want to miss the play. Besides, he’s most likely extremely busy right now.”

Her husband was right, of course. It was aggravating, how right he usually was. She couldn’t help smiling to herself. Her impulsiveness was one of the things Daniel loved about her, but he curbed it when necessary. As the curtain lifted to strains of what must have been Cameron’s music, she reached behind her. Daniel’s hand met hers, and she squeezed gently, saying, without words, how much she loved him.

* * * *

Lily sighed as the curtain descended for intermission. The performance so far had been amazing, and the music inspiring. Cameron was indeed gifted. A perfect match for Rose. She was determined to find him and make sure he did right by her sister.

“Daniel”—she stood—“I’ll return shortly. I need to…powder my nose.”

“I’ll come with you,” he said.

“You’re going to help her powder her nose?” Evan asked, smiling.

“Er…no.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to powder your own nose,” Thomas joined in, chuckling.

“Can the two of you ever stop giving me grief?” Daniel asked. “Is it such a crime to be in love with one’s wife?”

“It’s no crime at all,” Lily giggled. “Come, my love.”

When they were free of the box, Lily said urgently. “We must find Mr. Price.”

“Can you tell me why it’s so important now?” Daniel asked.

“Yes. I need to find him for Rose. She’s…in love with him.”

“What?”

“It’s true. The Prices have left our land, by the way.”

“That’s apparent, given his work here,” Daniel said. “I’m sure they sent notice. I still haven’t gotten through all the correspondence that came in during our trip. But that’s not the issue. How can Rose be in love with him? She was with Xavier up to recently.”

“She just is. We don’t choose who to fall in love with, Daniel. You and I ought to know that.”

“True.” He smiled. “But does Price return Rose’s feelings?”

“Well…”

“Lily.”

“He says he doesn’t. But I don’t believe it. Besides it doesn’t matter anyway.”

“Why doesn’t it matter?”

“Because Rose is with child, damn it!” Lily quickly clasped her hand over her mouth.

“She’s what?”

“Keep your voice down,” Lily urged. “She’s with child. Dear Lord, I promised her my confidence.”

“Come on.” Daniel grabbed her hand. “We’re going backstage to find that blackguard and make him do right by your sister.”

“No, Daniel. Not that way. I promised Rose I wouldn’t tell anyone. If we tell Mr. Price, she’ll never forgive me. I shouldn’t have told you. It just sort of…came out.”

“Rubbish. Rose is staying on my estate. She’s under my protection. I have a duty to see that this fool takes care of his mess.”