“Miss Charpentier?”
She turned to her bedroom door to see Edith standing there. The maid often found excuses to be near her, offering to do her hair, run her bath, bring her a refreshment. The woman was devoted to her, and Rose found that she liked it.
“Yes, Edith?”
“Dinner is served. Your grandmother asked that I call you.”
“Very well. Please tell her I shall be down in a moment. Thank you, Edith.”
Her grandmother had suddenly become too interested in what was going on in her life. Having only been in their family home for several weeks before deciding to come to London, her grandmother had begun to question her about her life, the balls she went to, and the men who were interested in her. Rose had a feeling that her grandmother knew that she was up to something, and merely wanted to ensure that it would not reflect terribly on the Charpentier name. Grandmother Charpentier had a sixth sense about these things, never resting until she knew the full story.
“Well, Grandmother,” Rose told her reflection. “I shall not tell you a single thing until I make Lord Shore my husband. When that happens, you may congratulate me.”
She moved away from the mirror, tucking a strand behind her ear as she made her way to the dining room.
***
“Stanley, have you spoken with Lord Hunstanton about selling one of my properties in London?”
Rose's grandmother looked to her son, waiting for a reply.
“No, Mother, not yet. I have been busy. But I shall make an effort this week. Why do you wish to sell your property? You never did tell me.”
“If you must know, it has far too many stairs for me, and with my stiff legs, it is painful to go up and down so many flights. I would rather put the money that I would get from it to good use in my house in the countryside. I wish to start a garden for the less fortunate – the good lord would expect nothing less of me.”
Rose listened to her father and grandmother's conversation with only half an ear, pushing her food around on her plate. Her mind was too occupied with her future and the plans to get her where she wanted to be. It was only when she heard the name Campbell mentioned that she turned her full attention to what was being said.
“It seems that the youngest Campbell sister will soon be married,” her father said. “What is her name again?”
“Violet,” Rose offered.
"Yes, that is it. I just heard the news this morning. She will be marrying the young physician, Norton. Of course, the marriage has not been officially announced, but it seems that their courtship has gone rather well."
“What kind of name is Violet?” said Grandmother Charpentier. “Why not give your child a proper name like Henrietta instead of a name after a flower?”
“Grandmother, I am named after a flower, and as I recall it, you were the one to give it to me.”
“Yes, but Rose suits you. You were born with a lovely complexion that reminded me of a rose, so I named you thus. What would be the reason behind Violet? She cannot possibly look violet, can she?”
Her grandmother had a strange way of looking at things, but Rose had learned to accept it and move on from a young age.
So, Violet was to marry Gregory Norton? She found this most interesting. Perhaps she could somehow use it to her advantage. What would society say to the younger sister getting married before her older sister? Some might even ridicule them, surely Luke would not wish to be a part of that?
“Do you not find it odd that the younger sister is already matched to be married, but the older one is not?”
“It would be odd if her older sister were not already taken care of,” her father agreed.
“Taken care of? How so?”
“It seems that her father has already arranged a marriage for her.”
Rose could not help the grin that lit up her whole face. Alice was already betrothed to someone? But something still did not sit right with her. Luke felt something for her, this she knew, and yet she was to marry another. Did he know this? Perhaps this information would help her to finally get her duke.
“Who is the man she is to marry?”
“Lord Shore.”
“What?”
Both her father and grandmother looked at her with surprise.
“Rose, why are you shouting at the dining table?” Grandmother Charpentier scolded. “A lady does not do such things.”
"I am sorry, Grandmother, it is just that this news has come as a shock to me. I did not know that they were to be married."
“Yes,” her father continued. “However, the girl does not know it yet. Her father arranged it in order to pay part of his debt to the Duke of Richley. Not even Lord Shore was aware of it at first, but I have been told that he has recently found out about it.”
An arranged marriage and Alice knew nothing about it? This was good news, indeed. This information may very well be the type of leverage she needed to separate the two of them. Alice did not strike her as one who would agree to an arranged marriage. The fact that they had not yet informed her spoke volumes to Rose. Perhaps the Duke of Richley had ordered his son to woo her to have her accept the marriage of her own accord. But how would she feel if she discovered the plan? But how reliable was her father's source?
“Father, who did you hear this news from?”
"Lord English. I spoke with him just this morning, and he informed me of all that was happening in the Campbell and Richley households. He is closely acquainted with both men, so I know that anything he says is reliable. Why do you ask?"
“I am merely curious. It is an important piece of news, and yet the bride is not aware of it.”
“That is how it was in my day,” said her grandmother. “My father arranged my marriage to an upstanding man, and so was my mother's marriage arranged and her mother before that. This business of letting a woman decide for herself is a disaster waiting to happen.” Grandmother Charpentier looked meaningfully at her.
Rose know that she was hinting at her own situation. But she refused to have her arrange her marriage. She would have her married to an old friend and Rose would have to spend the rest of her life caring for him. No, she wanted more for herself.
“Arranged marriages have their place in society, Grandmother, but times have changed. We cannot hold onto the old ways, we must progress.”
“Progress into sin? Debauchery? Fornication?”
Rose's cheeks burned. “Grandmother, must you be so blunt?”
“Yes, Mother,” agreed her father. “I hardly find your direction of topic necessary. Rose has a good head on her shoulders. We have raised her to be a well-mannered, polite and respectable young lady. I know she would never do anything to bring shame upon the family.”
“Did I say she would do such a thing, Stanley? I merely mentioned the state of society in this present moment. It can taint even the best of children.”
“Surely you trust me to make the right choices for my life, Grandmother? I am not a helpless maiden. I have a strong grandmother who has taught me the value of good morals.” Rose said this last piece for her the old woman's benefit. Even she was not immune to flattery.
“That may be, but I do believe that it is time for you to settle down and start a family before you become too involved with the wrong type of people.”
“That is why I attend the balls, Grandmother. I am looking for a suitable man to marry.”
“Then why is Mr Banks always hovering around you?”
Oh, so that was what was bothering her. “Frederick is harmless. He simply keeps me company. He is aware of my intention to find the right man to marry, and he helps me to do it. He is the brother I never had, Grandmother.”
“Explain to me why he only comes here when your father and I are not around?”
"That is a mere coincidence. He calls on me whenever he is in the area for a chat and a spot of tea, that is all."
“Why is he not married? He is not a good-looking man, but he is not necessarily terrible-looking either.”
“I do not know why he is not married. Why do you ask me so many questions, Grandmother? I assure you that there is nothing untoward between Frederick and I.”
Did her grandmother truly think that she would accept anything other than a friendship from Frederick?
“A friendship between a man and woman can easily be taken for something else, Rose,” said her father. “I hope you are aware of this?”
Rose looked from one to the other. Had they both gone mad? “Have I done something to have you think so poorly of me?”
“It is not you, Granddaughter, but that man. On the few occasions when I have met him, his eyes have followed you.”
Rose laughed. “That is hardly something to be fretful about. You have always said that I have the type of beauty that draws men in likes bees to honey. It was one of the reasons why you instilled good values within me with one hand and kept a stick in the other for men who were far too forward. It is nothing for Frederick stare at me. I am well aware that he finds me beautiful.”
Rose did not think that she was boasting in the slightest, these were the facts. She frowned when the old woman shook her head.
"He looks at you like a man in the desert thirsting for water, but he also has an air of fierce protection about him. I would prefer it if you would decrease the amount of time spent with him. Your father agrees with me, as well. Until Mr Banks makes a formal request to court you, I would rather you not see him."
Did they truly mean to dictate her life in such a manner? What had she done wrong? The thought of not seeing Frederick from time to time filled her with unrest. She had become accustomed to his weekly visits, and he was a vital part of her plan to marry the marquess.
Besides, Frederick would not make a formal request to court her because he did not interest her, unless...
What if he were to falsely court her? This way, she could keep him near her, and no one would think anything of it. She needed his support and connections or getting married to the marquess would be difficult. Rose was not bothered by the fact that Alice and Luke were betrothed to be married. To her mind, these things could be broken. But Frederick and she were hardly a good match. What would people think of her? He did not hold a title, and he would not even speak of his wealth. People would think her desperate to marry if she allowed a man such as he to court her. Rose had an image to uphold, and Frederick did not fit into that image.
Unless he agreed to display more of his wealth, then perhaps people would be less likely to mock her. But firstly, she would do what she could to separate Luke from Alice. If her plan did not work, then she would consider telling Frederick of her plan to have him falsely court her. There was a ball to be held next week, and Rose hoped that Alice would attend it.
“Very well, Grandmother,” she finally said. “I shall tell Frederick that I cannot see him in the capacity that I did before.”
“That is good, child, I am glad that you still listen to your elders.”
Or she at least gave the appearance of listening to her elders. Their evening continued with talk about other news circulating society. Rose joined in, feeling lighter than she had felt when she had walked down the stairs. And why would she not? She was closer to achieving her dream than she had been a few moments ago.
***
Alice held her sister's hand as they sat at the top of the stairs. She could feel Violet's trembling, rubbing her hand in comfort. “Everything will be all right, Violet, trust me.”
“But he has been in Papa's study for so long, Alice. I just do not know what to think.”
“You must think positively for both you and Gregory.”
“But what if Papa refuses him? Then what shall I do?”
“But Papa will not refuse him, Violet.”
Gregory and their father had been in the study for nearly an hour, and although Alice did not show it to her sister, she was also worried. The young physician had come to ask for Violet's hand in marriage, a simple thing in her eyes. But clearly it was more complicated than she thought because the men were still talking to each other.
“What if Papa is rude to Gregory, Alice? What if he makes him leave?”
“You have given me many 'but's and 'what if's in the past hour, Vi, and it has done you no good. My bottom has become quite sore from sitting in one position for so long. Can we not stand up and take a walk? I am sure that they will call us back before Gregory leaves.”
“Oh no, Alice, please stay. I feel that I shall not be able to move an inch until that door opens and Gregory walks out of there with a smile on his beautiful face.”
"Then, at least allow me to stand up and stretch my legs."
“Yes, yes, you do that.”
Violet reluctantly let go of her hand, allowing Alice to stand up and move her body. It was not advisable to sit in one position for too long, it truly did make one stiff. Violet, on the other hand, looked nervous as she wrung her hands. She had already bitten all of her fingernails to the quick, leaving them red and unsightly. Their mother would have a field day with her once she saw the sorry state of her youngest daughter's hands.
“You will need to hide your hands from Mama until your nails grow out. You are aware of how she detests untidy looking fingernails.”
“I cannot even think about that right now, Alice. I just want Gregory to come out of Papa's study and tell me that we will be married. It is all that I have dreamed about since meeting him.”
Both their attentions were drawn to their father's study door being opened. Her father stepped out first and then came Gregory. Only he was not smiling. Violet frantically clutched her arm.
“Alice, he is not smiling,” she whispered distraughtly. “Could this mean that Papa has said no?”
Alice was worried about that as well, but she would not show it to her sister. “No, it does not necessarily mean that. Just wait for Papa to call you and then you shall find out. Until then, please remain optimistic about it.”
"I shall try, Alice. But I do not promise anything."
“To try is better than not to try, Violet. Let us sit tight and wait.”
The two men moved to the parlour, where their mother currently sat. Could this be taken as a good sign? Alice believed so.
“Violet, Papa is taking him to Mama. I think that all is well.”
“I need my beloved Gregory to tell me that all is well before I believe it.”
Alice smiled. “Goodness! Have you already started to discard my words and take those of Gregory?”
"Oh, Alice. I could never set aside whatever you say to me, we are sisters. It is merely that Gregory will soon be my husband, and I shall have to obey him as a good wife. I hope that he will not find me too opinionated."
“He has chosen to get married to you as you are, Violet. I am sure he is aware of your opinions and ideals.”
“Oh, I hope so, I truly hope so.”
It seemed like ages before Mary stood at the bottom of the stairs and called Violet. “Miss Violet, your parents wish to see you in the parlour.”
The Way to Capture a Marquess's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 17