Page 51 of The Perfect Rose

Frederick smiled as he straightened from his crouched position. “Thorns are there for a reason. They protect a rose from insects, disease, and animals. Actually, I find that roses are my personal favorite just for the fact that they are perfect even with their thorns.”

“Oh pish. You never do take anything seriously, Mr. Hastings.” Miss Haybury continued on her path with a decided pout on her face.

Miriam was craning her neck from side to side. “Is anyone else hiding over here?”

Owen stepped around the stone arch. “Lady Rose! I’ve found you.”

Although Frederick couldn’t see Owen, he could hear the smile in Owen’s voice. Had Rose accepted him?

“Hello, Mr. Redford. How did you know I was here?” Lady Rose stepped around the arch with Owen. There was a blush in her cheeks that would rival a setting sun.

“I didn’t know. But I thought I’d poke around while Miss Haybury argued with Frederick about you.”

Frederick laughed. Owen Redford, for all his idiosyncrasies, understood more than most people would assume. “And who won the argument?”

Owen looked at him with a tinge of sadness in his eyes. “You did, of course. No one could say that Lady Rose is flawed and be correct.”

A lump formed in Frederick’s throat. Owen was his friend. He was a man deserving of love. He was also a man that needed Rose’s dowry more than most. Her fortunes could turn things around for the Redford family estate. Frederick swallowed. “Thank you, Owen.”

Owen strutted forward and slapped Frederick on the shoulder. “I need to speak with you. Would you mind walking with me behind the ladies?”

Truth be told, Frederick would mind, very much. But he needed to speak with Owen as well. There were questions Owen could answer for Frederick. And an apology was going to be necessary as well. For as much as Owen deserved love, Frederick wasn’t going to give up his suit so easily. Miriam and Rose walked ahead arm in arm with their heads bent low together. “What is on your mind, Owen?”

Owen took a deep breath. “I think Lady Rose loves you, Frederick.”

Frederick’s feet stopped their slow walk, rooted to the ground like an old tree. “Really?”

“Yes.” Owen sounded sad. “But you confuse me. Why haven’t you asked her to marry you?”

“That is an excellent question.” Frederick resumed their walking. “Owen, I love her. But I want to make sure I ask her the right way. Do you have any advice?”

Owen shook his head. “I’ve never had any woman accept my proposals. I’m not someone to give advice for this. I was going to ask Lady Rose to marry me, but I could see her attachment to you. The last thing I would want is for her to be unhappy.”

Frederick felt relief wash over him that Rose was unspoken for. Yet, his friend’s pain was raw and real. If the two had switched places, Frederick wouldn’t have behaved half so well as Owen was. “Do you think I can do that for her? Make her happy?”

“You make everyone happy. It’s what you do. She will be no different.”

“I’m sorry, Owen. I once loved a woman who did not return my feelings. I thought I would never be able to love again. This must be difficult for you.”

Owen put a hand on Frederick’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “I have loved every woman I have known, for a time. And I loved Rose for a time as well. But Quentin helped me to see that things wouldn’t really work out between us. Besides, her mother scares me. Don’t be sad for me, Frederick. Unlike you, I am not afraid that I will never love again. But I did make her a beautiful boat. I hope you will allow me to present it to her.”

A lightness filled Frederick from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. He’d not wanted to put Owen through pain, and his friend was already on his own path of healing. “Of course I will. Besides, I still need to ask her if she’ll have me. Actually, you might be able to help, if you are willing.”

Chapter Thirty-five

How is His Grace this morning? You haven’t found him yet, have you?” Rose asked Miriam. She clung to the words Frederick had implied about a rose bush, wondering if he’d thought of her at all when he’d been describing the flower. But she was determined to make this day wonderful for Miriam. This was Frederick’s goal for the house party, and Rose intended to help him.

Miriam shrugged. “He seems well enough. But no, I haven’t found him, Mr. Quentin Redford, or Miss Trenton. I found Lord Hanby and Miss Haybury pretty quickly. I believe they went back inside the house with Miss Coolidge, who is almost finished with the novel she is reading. I think she wanted to be found quickly so she could finish it. Perhaps the others wandered into the kitchen garden?”

They followed a curve in the path that led closer to the house. Miss Trenton and Mr. Quentin Redford were sitting on a bench deep in conversation.

“What kind of hiding place is that?” Miriam chuckled.

Miss Trenton turned to see her friend. “Miriam, I . . . I . . .” She blushed like crimson.

“I have asked Miss Trenton to be my bride,” Mr. Redford cut in.

Miss Trenton nodded enthusiastically with tears spilling from her eyes. “I said yes.”