Page 48 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Rose
London, England Dec 1812
Rose woke before dawn, snuggled in Cabe’s arms. She could not believe everything that had happened between them.
She had to leave. This morning she was going with her mother to the orphanage to check on the children, before they were to have lunch with everyone.
She knew she was also supposed to attend a musicale tonight and she was not happy to go.
Maneuvering herself out of Cabe’s arms, she found her clothing strewn around his room, dressing as quickly as she could.
She wanted to curse at the state her dress was in, as Cabe had done a marvelous job of ripping the ties apart and she could only hope she would get back home with no one the wiser at the state of her dress.
Cabe started to stir on the bed, and Rose stayed where she was, but Cabe just turned to his stomach, and went back to sleep, pulling her pillow with him.
She bit her lip and held in the giggle that wanted to escape. He was so unbelievably sweet.
Rose pulled her shoes on and opened and shut his door quietly. It did not make a noise in the early morning stillness.
Which she was grateful for. Making her way downstairs, she found her cloak and after she put it on, slipped outside unnoticed.
She walked quickly down the street and was grateful that Cabe did not live too far away from her own house.
She still needed to hurry though. Because her family would all be awake soon, and she did not want to be caught like this.
Rose walked around the edge of the house and through the servant’s entrance. There were several maids around, but none noticed her slipping in through the door.
Hurrying up the back stairs to her room, Rose was relieved when she got inside the safety of her bedchamber.
No one was the wiser either. Or so she thought. A knock sounded on her door moments after she got in, and Rose scrambled to get under her covers, trying to hide the fact that she was dressed in the same thing she wore last night.
She called out a soft, “Come in,” and her mother opened the door. Lydia had on her dressing gown and her long hair was pulled in a tight braid on one shoulder.
Rose could feel herself trying not to fidget under her mother’s stare, but she failed.
Lydia sat on the edge of her bed, “Where were you all night my darling?”
Rose gave her a quizzical look. “Whatever do you mean? I was here all night. I slept in my bed.”
Lydia raised one eyebrow. “Oh, you did? That is strange. I came to check on you to see how the ball went last night, after you did not come to my room. As usual. And you were nowhere to be found.”
Rose bit her lip, “I must have been in Lily’s room.”
Lydia laughed, “Sweetheart, it’s all right. Truly. How does Cabe fare this day?”
Rose sighed and sat up. The blankets falling to her lap. She looked down at her hands, and Lydia grasped them.
“I remember being young and in love. Your father and I spent many nights together before we were wed. Not many have that knowledge and that is all right. I don’t judge or condemn you for being with the man you love.”
Rose looked up at her mother and Lydia smiled. “I do love him. And yet even with all we share, he is just so stubborn and refuses to let me in more. Last night I almost left him for good. He actually thought that I would care about his leg. That I would think less of him for it when you and I both know that is nothing further than the truth. I told him so, and I just wish he didn’t doubt me.”
Lydia hugged her tightly. “All you can do is love him. And if he needs more than that, then you can give him more. Just be the woman he needs. Even if he doesn’t realize that he needs it.”
Rose hugged her mother back. “Thank you, mother. I needed this.”
Lydia smiled at her again and pulled back, “I expect him to come speak to your father and I, and of course, to Aidan. There better be a ring on your finger soon. Before I get grandchildren.”
Rose blushed and shook her head. “I will talk to him. And I also want a ring.”
