Page 13 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Rose
London, England Dec 1st 1812
Rose sat at her vanity. She studied her reflection. She looked miserable and felt it deep down.
Lily had left to go back home this afternoon. Had been so hurt and heartbroken by Burk that she could take it no longer. Rose hated it.
She had overheard her sister when she spoke with Cole and it hurt her, to listen to Lily's heartbreak and pain. She just wanted her sister to be happy.
She was upset with Burk, but Aidan had come after Lily left and Burk had flown through the door yelling for Cole or Aidan. He spoke with Aidan, Rhia and Eden and when Burk left, Aidan told her what Burk said. She knew he was not lying. Burk did not have it in him to lie about that. Not after knowing his mind, and how he felt about Lily.
She could only pray that he would catch her, and they would talk. Lily was stubborn, so Burk would have to go to the extreme when speaking with her sister.
Rose put her head on her hand and rubbed her eyes tiredly. Needing to get her mind on tonight and not the worry she had over her sister.
Rose wished she hadn’t agreed to go with Persephone tonight to this ball. She was not feeling up to it, wanted nothing more than to stay here and wallow in her own misery.
And she was tired of the same men salivating after her. She knew what they were thinking, and she wished she could just go back home.
She hated London, the Season, the men, the women. Most were catty and only wanted to gossip about this man, or that woman. And Rose did not like it. She never felt as if she belonged.
There were very few people that she could speak with, and she was grateful to them for it. She was never left alone at the ball though.
Always wanted for a dance, or to sit with such and such Lord at the dinner. She was tired of their games, and of trying to fend off the men who thought it was their right to touch her or speak in her ear the things they wanted from her.
Those men, she avoided like the plague. She only wanted one man, and he avoided her like the plague. She was really tired of that.
She wanted to be in his arms, dancing with him, kissing him when she wished. It was her dream and one that felt would never come true. Someday. It was possible.
Squaring her shoulders, Rose was determined to get through this night, and after this she just wanted to go home for a while. Back to Northumberland and forget about Cabe, his kisses and the way they made her feel.
Letting out a breath, Rose stood from her vanity after one last look, pasting a smile on her face, knowing it would not reach her eyes no matter how much she wished and went downstairs to get her cloak.
Her dress this night was dark forest green, reminding her of the trees from home and she had left her hair down in a mass of ringlets.
She had some pulled back from her face with a few diamond clips and left the rest free. Julia, Rhia’s friend and maid, worked wonders with hair.
Rose loved her immensely. She had come with Rhia to London, and while she did not live in the townhouse with everyone else, Julia was here almost every day.
Helping Rhia and helping them. Julia and her husband were as much a part of their household as anyone else.
Rose saw Persephone’s carriage pull up, so she went outside and got in.
Persephone was smiling at her, but her parent’s still blamed Lily and Eden for their daughter's kidnapping.
And while they did not like the St. Andrew family much, they knew that Aidan was a Duke. And knew that his name could get them into social events they wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend. So, they were civil and invited Rose, and Lily to places.
Rose knew it was for their social standing, but she did not care. She wanted to be around Persephone, and if they could help, she was going to. In any small way.
Rose gave Persephone a small hug and turned to her parents. “Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.”
Her father sniffed, “It is our pleasure.”
She knew that Aidan had spoken with Kitty and Bruce and explained the situation to them. He also gave them an apology and offered them some compensation for their stresses and worry they had been put through.
She knew they had accepted his offer and wanted to stay in his good graces and be allowed in his small circle of friends he had. But Rose knew they did not like it or them. And it was hard for her.
Rose kept silent after that, and felt Persephone squeeze her hand. She knew how hard it was with her parents.
