Page 36 of Rose and the Rogue
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Vauxhall Gardens was a popular destination for the ton, especially in spring, when the flowers bloomed everywhere and the newly leafed trees provided a glorious canopy overhead. The gardens were lovely by day, but evening made them enchanting, with lanterns glowing to illuminate the park. It also helped that not all the paths were so well-lit. Many a couple had found a spot in Vauxhall where a few kisses, or more, could be shared out of the view of others.
For her part, Rosalind was glad just to get out of the house. This night, she wore a simply cut dress of dark green silk, pale yellow gloves, and a lace shawl. Poppy always selected the colors she wore, but Rosalind chose the fabrics themselves, so she could revel in the textures and weights of them all. This particular gown fit closely around the bust, and then fell loosely below the empire waist. It felt pretty, and her cousin assured her it also looked so.
Mr. Blake ordered a large coach to accommodate the four of them. They alighted at the entrance to Vauxhall, Rose overhearing the rustle and murmur of many people. On such a warm spring night, it was no surprise the gardens were packed.
The whole family took a turn around the main lawn. Then Mrs. Blake declared she wanted refreshments, heading toward a spot where tables had been set out to serve those enjoying the gardens. A quartet played charming music in one corner, and couples danced not far away. They all sat for a time, sipping tart lemonade from tall glasses, and chatting about the day’s events. But Rosalind, hearing the plaintive violin and the dozens of conversations around her, grew restless.
“I should like to walk a bit more, Mama,” she said. “I sat all day.”
Poppy moved. “I want a stroll too. It’s such a beautiful night. Do you mind, Aunt Gertrude? You both can stay here and rest. We won’t be long.”
“Be careful, dears,” Rose’s mother warned, as if there were thieves in the shrubbery.
The girls quickly took their leave, arms entwined.
“I thought I’d go mad if I kept having to sit there,” Poppy confessed. “I’m rather antsy.”
“Yes, though I’m just happy to be outside,” Rosalind said. They proceeded down a side path fragrant with early flowers. The sounds of the crowd faded behind them. “This is lovely,” Rosalind sighed, relishing the peace of the night. She stifled the slight feeling of loneliness that had been dogging her the past few days. Though she should not have gotten used to Adrian’s presence after only a few days, she missed him.
Just then, she sensed someone approaching.
A warm voice said, “Good evening, ladies.”
“Lord Norbury,” Poppy replied first, her tone polite but still skeptical. “What a coincidence to see you here. And is that Mr. de la Guerra haunting the path alongside you?”
“Enchanted, as ever,” a second voice said rather sarcastically. Rose hadn’t even heard him approach, he was so quiet.
“I wonder if I could persuade your ever-vigilant chaperone to wander off for just a moment,” Adrian said to Rose, and she let him take her hands in his own. “Not too far, of course. And she’ll be escorted by Mr. de la Guerra.”
“As if that reassures me,” Poppy said.
Rose bit her lip. “Please, Poppy? Just for a few moments?”
Her cousin’s indecision was agonizing. But then Poppy took a breath and said, “Very well. Five minutes and not a moment longer.”
“Thank you!” Rose smiled in her direction.
“Scream if he even thinks of doing something improper,” Poppy warned. She muttered something to de la Guerra and then Rose heard them walking farther down the path.
Then they were alone.
Chapter 13
Poppy allowed Mr. de la Guerra to take her arm, despite her extreme doubts about the whole situation.
Carlos de la Guerra seemed to be determined to hover around her. Poppy was annoyed (or rather, she tried to maintain a sense of annoyance). But he was a difficult person to simply dismiss. Whenever she was about to tell him his attentions were onerous, he managed to crack a wry joke or make an observation about the crowd that had Poppy biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
“This whole thing is your fault,” Poppy accused him.
“What do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean! While you were at the house before your infamous cat rescue, I just happened to mention that the family intended to go to Vauxhall Gardens tonight, and then you told Lord Norbury we’d likely be here and he was able to get a moment alone with Rose.”
Carlos pointed out, “You didn’t have to leave her.”
“But Rose so wanted to talk with him alone. And she’s hard to say no to.”
