Page 66 of The Perfect Rose

Rose tightened her grip on Frederick’s hand. She looked strong, facing her mother with a confidence that he only dreamed of. He matched her stride for stride, wanting to get this conversation over with as quickly as possible so that he could go back to kissing her.

“Mother, I am going to marry Mr. Hastings.” She held her chin high.

The countess laughed, a severe edge to the sound. She turned and faced Frederick. “Perhaps, she has failed to inform you that she no longer has a dowry. You will get nothing for marrying her.”

Frederick stepped in front of Rose as if to shield her from the cutting remarks of her mother. “I will get everything I have ever wanted and nothing that you would understand. Your daughter is perfect, she always has been, despite the way you have forced her to act. Keep her dowry. I don’t want it and I will make certain she will never need it.”

Lady Gardner glided ever closer to her daughter. “Do not be ridiculous, Mr. Hastings. Rose is meant for more than you.”

This time Rose stepped in front of him, tall and confident. “You’re wrong, mother. I love him. And I will strive my entire life to be worthy of his loyalty and trust.”

Frederick wrapped his arms around Rose’s middle, pulled her to his chest, and placed a kiss on her shining chestnut curls.

Someone started clapping their hands. Frederick looked up at the terrace and the entire house party had gathered at the railing. Samuel was clapping with Miriam, who squealed, “I’m going to get a sister!” She ran down the stairs and hugged Rose about her middle. The rest of the party began talking to each other in not so hushed voices.

Lord Hanby marched down the stairs. “No dowry?” He looked Rose up and down with a sneer on his face. “I would like to be the first to offer my congratulations on your betrothal.”

Frederick watched as Rose narrowed her eyes. “Of course. And I would like to be the first to offer my condolences on your loss of one hundred guineas.”

The angel had some gumption.

Lord Hanby elevated his hand as if to strike Rose. She flinched in anticipation of the sting.

Anger rose up inside Frederick faster than an exploding volcano. He swung Rose behind him and delivered a solid and satisfying strike to Lord Hanby’s gut. The man doubled over, clutching his stomach.

“How dare you even consider laying a hand on a woman? Get out of my house,” Frederick thundered. “Now!” His heart pounded like a war drum. He would give battle to defend his lady for all of time to keep her safe from the attacks of scum like Lord Hanby. Frederick called for Ron to escort Lord Hanby from the premises.

Miriam pulled Rose further from Lord Hanby. “Oh, Rose. I am so glad you did not accept his proposal. Can you imagine the life he would have given you?”

Lord Hanby spat toward Lady Rose as he was forced down the walkway by Ron and another footman. He called over his shoulder, “You’re nothing but a thorn, a waste of a bet.”

Rose shook her head as if in stunned disbelief of what had almost happened. She met eyes with Frederick, her fresh fear as easy to read as a book.

Frederick looked over at Rose’s mother. Lady Gardner glared at him, spun on her heel, and walked away from the group of people with the same haughty bearing that she always left a ballroom. Heads turned in her direction and followed her progress into the house. What would society think of the flawless Lady Gardner after tonight’s events?

Rose came up behind Frederick and put her arms around his waist, burying her head into his back. He could feel her trembling. He swiftly turned about and took her in his arms. “Don’t even consider his words.” He kissed her forehead. “You are perfect, Rose. Just as you are . . .” he tugged at her hair coming loose from her coiffure and whispered in her ear, “especially when your hair is coming undone from my kissing you.”

She laughed and swatted his arm. “Frederick Hastings, what am I to do with you?”

He looked deeply into her clear brown eyes. “Kiss me again, be mine forever, marry me, and make me the happiest of men.”

“My, you do require a lot, don’t you?” She laughed. “Lucky for you, I am capable of anything I put my mind to.” She pulled him closer to her by his lapels. “I do love you, Frederick.” She lifted up on her toes and kissed him softly, tenderly, but not nearly long enough.

A loud whistle broke them apart and they looked in unison up at the balcony where half the house party stood watching them. Rose shook her head. “How did anyone know we were out here?”

Frederick waved to Mr. Owen Redford who was standing arm in arm with Miss Coolidge at the front of the balustrade. “Amazingly, not every piece of my plan was a failure.”

Epilogue

The most magical sound Rose had ever heard floated on the breeze. Frederick had just recently started singing again. He was talented, yes: but it was a reassurance to Rose that he was happy, happier than he had been since his parents died. She smiled and closed her eyes, listening. The sun beat down on the bank of the river where she sat with her embroidery; Frederick had taken up fishing a ways up the shore with Dragon, and her heart felt at peace.

She looked down at the christening gown she was adorning for little Lady Juliet, Miriam and Samuel’s new baby girl. The past year had been incredible, really. Following the house party, Samuel had procured a special license and had married Miriam a mere week later. Frederick and Rose had posted the banns and were married a few weeks after them, much to the dismay of her mother. And now, Miriam had a beautiful little girl. Rose finished off an eyelet in the cap sleeve of the dress and tucked her needle away. Lady Juliet would be the most elegantly dressed infant in all of England if Rose had any hand in the matter . . . and she did.

Dragon started barking at the same time Frederick’s song cut short. Rose looked over to see him pulling a fish out of the river. Rose shivered. He’d convinced her to touch a fish once. The slimy feeling had been burned into her memory, and she had refused to lay a finger on the slippery things again. He held the fish up for her to see. It dangled on the line as he made his way toward her.

“What do you think? Should we keep him or throw him back?”

Rose took a step backward. There was mischief in her husband’s eyes, and she didn’t trust him for a moment. She took another look at the fish, flopping closer and closer to her by the moment. “I think you ought to throw him back. He’s just a small fellow.”