Page 56 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Rose
London, England Dec 1812
Rose washed the labors of the day from her skin as she bathed before the musicale.
She had stopped dreading going tonight and had resolved herself to have fun. She only wished Cabe would make an appearance. Last night she had done something with him that she didn’t think would ever be possible.
She could almost feel him still moving inside her and she missed him. Hated that she had left without saying goodbye.
She needed him. And she hoped against hope he would be at the musicale tonight.
She finished her hair and pulled a dark blue gown from her wardrobe and got dressed.
It was not easy putting on a corset without Lily around, so she finally called a maid in to help her.
After that was done, Rose went downstairs to wait for Persephone. She hoped Persephone’s parents would let them get more than five feet from their side, but she doubted it.
They never let her out of their sight now, and she knew it was hard on Persephone and Brooks not being able to be together.
Brooks was so in love with Persephone and Rose loved seeing how devoted he was. She had gotten to know Brooks quite well on the ship and was so happy he found his girl.
Now they just had to convince Persephone’s parents of it.
She was smiling to herself when she saw the carriage pull up. Walking out the front door to get inside, she noticed a large and intimidating man standing across the street, watching her.
She looked behind her to see if Aidan had come outside, or if Cole was, but her brothers were not there.
She turned back and noticed that the man still watched her, and he had a sinister air about him. He tipped his hat to her, smirking as he did and turned, walking into the shadows of a house.
Rose shuddered. Not liking that the man so blatantly watched her.
She was still disturbed by it when she got in the carriage. Persephone smiled at her, as always and Rose tried desperately to get the man out of her head.
She smiled back and told Persephone about her day. And the children.
Persephone’s parents blanched. “I pray you do not get our daughter sick. What with being around sick children all day like you have.”
Rose had to swallow the biting retort she wanted to say, and instead said, “I made certain to take a bath and I was incredibly careful. What they have cannot be passed to her. I assure you; she won’t get sick from me.”
Persephone gave her hand a squeeze and Rose looked out the window while Kitty went on and on about the new health scare Persephone had, and how Rose needed to be more careful.
They pulled up in front of their host’s home and Rose was the first one out. She waited for Persephone to be placed into her chair and she offered to push her into the building.
Bruce was not happy, but Persephone begged.
Rose leaned down when they were out of ear shot, “Do your parents still not know you can walk?”
Persephone quickly shook her head and shot Rose a look of panic. “Don’t say it out loud. If they knew they would do everything in their power to stop it.”
Rose sighed, “Do they know about Brooks?”
Persephone once again looked around in panic, “No. Not really. If they knew I fell in love with someone, they would take me away and I would never see him or you again. I am promised to another Rose, please. If they find out about Brooks, I know that they will take me back to the country immediately. I cannot go back. Not now. Not without Brooks. I don’t know what to do.”
Rose’s heart broke for her friend. “Oh Persephone. I am so sorry. I had no idea. Especially not that you are promised to another. Does Brooks know? Have you even seen Brooks since we got back?”
Persephone shook her head, her eyes swimming with tears. “No, I haven’t. My parents have not let me out of their sight much, aside from when Penelope had me come visit. That has been the hardest. I miss him and I have not even had the chance to write him a letter. They even check on me throughout the night, all night long. Like I am going to escape out the window.”
She rolled her eyes, but in the next sentence her breath caught, and Rose heard the tears in her voice.
