Page 49 of Papa's Captive
Chapter 22
“Rosie! I almost did not recognize you.”
Rosie’s heart filled with joy at being reunited with her dear friend Daisy. The last time they had seen each other had been Daisy’s wedding day. Much had transpired in the intervening months. Rosie’s heart was full as she gazed upon her beloved friend. Beneath the elaborate hair style and ruby earrings, the twinkle in her eye and the smile on her lips were just like the Daisy she remembered.
The two friends hugged, though they were careful not to wrinkle their silk gowns or disrupt their coiffures.
“We have come a long way from our days at Talcott House, have we not?” Rosie said.
Daisy giggled and reached out a gloved hand to touch the emerald necklace around Rosie’s throat. “Yes, indeed we have.”
“I wonder what Miss Wickersham would say if she could see us now?”
“She would say that it is rude for the two of you to be having your own tete-a-tete when there is an entire ballroom of guests waiting to greet the new Lady Caldwell.”
The familiar voice wafted over them and instinctively Rosie reached back to protect her bottom.
“Miss Wickersham!” Daisy said in a voice much too loud and which would have earned her a few minutes in the naughty chair back at Talcott House. “Cynny told me she had invited you but I did not know if you would be able to attend.”
“Well,” Miss Wickersham said with a sniff, “since I was deprived of the opportunity to attend Rosie’s marriage to Lord Caldwell, I made certain to attend this party in their honor.”
Despite the valuable jewels, ball gown and her status as Lady Caldwell, Rosie found herself wilting a bit in the presence of Miss Wickersham.
“Now, Miss Wickersham.” Lord Caldwell and Lord Kensington joined their wives and Papa tucked Rosie’s hand into the crook of his elbow. “I believe my solicitor handled the matter in a way which was more than satisfying to you, did he not?”
“Oh, my. Yes. Good evening, Lord Caldwell, Lord Kensington.” To Rosie’s shock, Miss Wickersham actually appeared uncomfortable. She had never seen her former guardian flummoxed before. Perhaps being away from Talcott House made her a mite uneasy.
“Come now,” Lord Kensington said, taking Daisy’s hand in his and offering his arm to Miss Wickersham. “I would be honored to escort two such beguiling women into the ballroom.”
Miss Wickersham’s face flushed, but she accepted his offer. Rosie glanced up at her papa, trying to make sense of what she had just witnessed and fighting to hold back a fit of giggles. Papa tapped her on the tip of her nose. “Behave yourself, little girl,” he whispered. “I am sure our host, Lord Grayson, has no shortage of naughty chairs to put at my disposal.”
“Yes, Papa,” she said, though a giggle did slip from her lips.
The party entered the grand ballroom at Grayson House and Rosie’s footsteps faltered. Papa leaned over her with concern. “Oh, Papa,” she said, “It is so beautiful. Is this all really for us?”
“Yes, my dear, it is. And I am the happiest and most fortunate man in the world to have you as my bride and now I shall be able to introduce you to all of my friends. How very kind it is of Lord and Lady Grayson to host this event.”
At the mention of their hosts, the happy couple appeared by their side as if by magic. At the sight of Cynny, resplendent in a sapphire blue gown to match the jewels by the same name which adorned her blonde curls, Rosie gaped. She had always recognized Cynny as a noteworthy beauty, but that was nothing compared to her now as Lady Grayson. It was not just her natural attractiveness enhanced by the trappings of wealth. She, like Daisy, glowed with the happiness of a woman who knew she was beloved.
“Now we are only missing Cammie,” Daisy said.
Cynny rolled her eyes. “I do not expect them to be here in a timely manner. Cammie seems to always be doing something to get herself into trouble. We had them to dinner last month and they were on time, but she did not seem to sit very comfortably.”
A receiving line was formed with Lord Grayson and Cynny as the first to greet the guests, who then moved on to Rosie and her papa. Standing between Cynny and Lord Caldwell, Rosie felt secure and her anxiety diminished a bit. She was among friends and had no cause for concern.
Miss Wickersham made her way to the punch bowl and Daisy and Lord Kensington took to the dance floor. Rosie watched as the handsome couple moved gracefully to the music. Seeing her friend so blissfully happy warmed Rosie’s heart.
When she returned her attention to the receiving line, none other than Cammie stood before her, a joyful smile upon her face. “Rosie, dear. How very happy I am to see you. Oh my goodness, your gown is stunning.” Cammie embraced Rosie and while they were near whispered, “And your husband is quite dashing,” into Rosie’s ear.
It was nearly too much for Rosie to comprehend. An elegant ballroom, exquisite music, all the most fashionable men and women of theton, her friends and her very own, beloved Papa. She glanced down to make sure her feet were firmly on the highly polished floor because she felt as though she might be floating on a wave of happiness.
Cammie and Lord Cavendish were moved along the receiving line by the flow of other guests.
“I am pleased to see you look so happy and relaxed, my sweet Rosie,” Papa said, giving her hand a squeeze. “I am proud of you for not allowing your anxieties to get the better of you.”
“Thank you,” she said, though she wished he had not mentioned the myriad anxieties she had fought against over the previous days. Once she had recovered from the shock of learning Papa knew about her past and not only had the world not come crashing to an end, as she had feared, but his devotion and love had taken on a level of tenderness she had never experienced before. Even now, amongst his peers and friends he had not seen for a long time, his attention was solely focused on her, assuring himself she was at ease and enjoying herself.
Under his tender mercies Rosie had quelled nearly all of her fears at being exposed as the daughter of the notorious Charles Andrews, a man who would go down in history as a traitor to the crown, though she continued to believe fervently in his innocence.
