Page 60 of The Marquis' Game of Seduction
Of course, despite all that had happened between them, there wasn’t a solid plan. Rose knew that the time was fast-approaching when Duncan would return to his estate, and she also knew that Colin was wayward and unsure about his life and position. In the days after Duncan and Emily’s first official meeting, Rose felt that Colin kept his distance, leaving her confused and dispirited.
Judith arrived in Rose’s bedroom one early morning, just after Rose had dressed. Rose burst around, half-expecting Judith to accuse her of knowing the secrets of the mansion. But Judith just said, with a sad, somber voice, that Duncan’s father had sent along a letter the previous evening, announcing that he would arrive to take the boy away today.
“I expect that means he’ll want your answer regarding your position at his estate,” she said. “Laurence Thornton isn’t the sort of man who likes to be kept waiting.”
“Is there a sort of man who likes to be kept waiting?” Rose asked. She gave Judith a half-smile, a sad one.
Why hasn’t Colin told me what to do yet?She marveled.After all we’ve been through, all that’s been said—it’s truly up to him to state what he wants. He’s still terribly difficult to read.
“I suppose if I do agree to work at the Thornton Estate, I will see quite a bit of all of you,” Rose tried. Her voice gave out at the end, showing her weakness.
Judith nodded. “Certainly. Colin will stop by frequently to see Duncan. And now that he and his sister have mended their relationship, I’m sure he’ll want to continue to strengthen it. I’m not sure how strict your duties will be while there. But I imagine you’ll catch sight of him. And perhaps of me, from time to time.”
Rose’s chin quivered, but she refused to cry. “I suppose it’s the way it has to be.”
A few hours later, Judith arrived to announce Laurence’s arrival to both Duncan and Rose. Duncan leaped from his chair, his eyes glittering. “This means that mother is completely well again.”
Rose had to hustle to keep up with him, with his whip-fast motions as he dropped down the stairs and raced into the parlor. He wrapped his arms around his father’s legs and hugged him close. He seemed stronger than his years, nearly toppling his father over. Laurence’s eyes searched Rose’s, and he asked, “What on earth have you been feeding this boy to make him so strong?”
Rose let out a little, bright laugh. She simply couldn’t see Laurence as the villain she knew Colin saw him as. At least, not yet.
“He’s simply overjoyed to see you,” she said.
“And I, him,” Laurence said. Perhaps there was a slight glimmer of falseness in his voice, although Rose knew it was possible that she was reading into it.
“Have you given much more consideration to my offer?” Laurence asked. “I know you said you needed to give it some thought. It’s been—a week, perhaps? Seems like enough time to come to a conclusion.”
Rose hesitated. Duncan’s eyes turned toward her, searching her face. Again, Rose arrived at the same thought: that if she carried on at the Thornton Estate, she would still be within arm’s reach of Colin. Perhaps he needed more time to think.
“Thank you for giving me this time,” Rose said. She forced the tears back into her skull. “In my mind, I cannot imagine a better option. I’ve come to love Duncan more than I can possibly say. I don’t know what I would do without our daily lessons.”
Duncan’s grin widened.
“That’s marvelous news,” Laurence said. “I’ve wanted nothing more than to deliver this information to my wife. She’s been terribly worried about what will become of Duncan here in England. He understood the ways of the world in the West Indies, but this is an entirely different game. Regardless. You must understand mothers. They always find a way to worry about their children, even if they’re on their death bed.”
“That is the nature of mothers,” Rose agreed. She lent them both a sad smile. Fear permeated through her. “I must return to my room to pack my things, I suppose. It won’t take me long. I have very little. And Duncan, I’ll send someone to your bedroom to help you pack yours. You don’t want to forget any of your toys.”
Duncan gave a firm nod. Rose turned away. She began to make a mental list of all the things she needed to finalise before departing. Her clothes, her shoes… what would become of the fine gown she’d purchased for the party? Could she bring it with her? Would Colin perhaps invite her to another one—and would she be allowed to attend? Would Amelia be suspicious about the strange relationship between herself and Colin, or would Colin put their romance to bed, choosing instead to live a life alone?
In the midst of this panic, Colin appeared in the doorway. He looked windswept and wild, his hair muddled and his cheeks bright pink. It was clear he’d been out on horseback, pounding out his thoughts to a low hum.
But now, he gazed at her with a beautiful understanding. He lifted his hand and said, “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt this discussion.”
“Colin! Good to see you,” Laurence said. His voice was stiff with the lie. “Rose has just informed me that she will be moving to my estate to become Duncan’s governess. How marvelous that we’ll keep her in the family, no?”
But Colin ignored him. He took several slow steps into the room and stood before Rose, towering over her. He swallowed. His lips parted and his eyes glowed.
“I don’t want you to go,” he said.
Rose couldn’t speak. She felt as though someone had wrapped their hands around her neck, disallowing her to breathe.
“I know you’ve come to love Duncan a great deal. I know you would do anything for him,” Colin said. “But the truth is, I’ve come to love you. I can’t imagine my life without you. You’re the first woman who’s seen me and heard me. And I simply can’t let you go with Laurence and Duncan today. I need you here.”
Rose felt the searching eyes of both Duncan and Laurence. Laurence seemed endlessly confused—for how could a Marquees come to love a governess, and an orphan, no less?
Colin reached forward and grabbed her hands and drew them toward his chest. “Marry me, Rose. Marry me and build a life with me. Make me the happiest man in all of London. Perhaps even the world.”
Rose still didn’t have the proper words. She blinked at him. His thumb eased over her palm, creating a little rhythm.
