A Melody for Rose (The Wednesday Club Book 2)

by Sahara Kelly

  Rose laughed up at him. “Well that gets us to where we want to be, albeit a bit on the rough side…”

  “Did I hurt you?” He glared at himself. “Damn sheets I’m wearing here. Ugh.”

  “Miles, I’m perfectly fine,” she whispered, reaching to cup his cheek.

  He looked at her, his face a study in shadows, the single candle illuminating the high cheekbones and sparkling from his eyes but leaving much in darkness. He looked mysteriously handsome—every bit the dashing hero of some terrible novel.

  “Rose, we have to talk.”

  She sighed and stretched beneath him languorously. “Must we? I’d rather…” She allowed her hand to tug at the cords and unfasten his nightshirt.

  He put his hand on hers, staying her. “Yes, we must.”

  “All right.” She shifted and let him lie at her side. “What must we discuss?”

  “Lady Imelda.”

  “Oh. Her.”

  “Yes, her.” Miles frowned. “Do you have the slightest idea of why she might steal your music and sell it?”

  Rose shook her head. “No, no I don’t. And that’s if she actually did it. It could have been Sterling himself, although he wouldn’t know how to copy a sheet of music, I’m sure. So if Aunt Imelda was the one, I must assume it’s for money, even though I always believed she was quite comfortably situated.” She bit her lip in thought. “She’s always been a little jealous of us though…”

  “What do you mean?” He watched her expressions. “It’s hard to put my finger on it, but there have been times when I’ve doubted the warmth of her feelings towards Mama. Sibling rivalry perhaps? I have no idea. She has a sharp way about her that is hard to fathom.”

  “We will have to ask her straight out then,” he concluded.

  “It looks that way, yes.” She sighed.

  “There is something else too, that we need to talk about.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Our future.”

  She nodded. “A good idea. Settling the details now will make everything much easier later on.”

  “You agree?” He sounded surprised.

  “Well yes.” She settled herself comfortably. “I have been giving it a lot of thought.”

  “I’m happy to hear it.” There was caution in his voice, but she ignored it.

  “I’m not exactly sure of the procedures involved, of course. But I do understand that you are supposed to provide me with some place to live, so that you can conveniently visit me whenever you want.” She turned to him, leaned over and dropped a quick kiss on his nose, then turned back. “Which I hope will be as often as possible.”

  “Rose…”

  “Wait…let me finish, if you would?” She took another breath. “I won’t need much, Miles. I could never be one of those mistresses who has to have jewellery every visit, a huge monthly stipend or horses or a carriage or anything like that. I would much prefer to live quietly and simply be there for you. Perhaps you could arrange it so that you could spend some time with me during your less busy seasons, or for a few weeks in the summer, depending on where I am—”

  “Rose.”

  “What?”

  “Shut up.” He moved away from her and sat up on the bed. “Just stop this nonsense.”

  She blinked. “Nonsense?”

  “Yes, nonsense. You are not going to be my mistress. Ever. Get that through your head right now.”

  She stiffened, then slid awkwardly out of the bed completely. “So you no longer want me? Is that what you’re trying to say?”

  “Of course not.” He groaned, running his hand through his hair.

  “So you still want me, but not as your mistress.” She paced. “I’m confused now, Miles, because there is no other option for us, and you know it.”

  “Don’t be idiotic. Of course there is. Our engagement will become a real one and we will marry. Then I can have you as often as I like in my own house.”

  She snorted. “And here I believed you to be an intelligent man. Obviously I was mistaken.”

  “If you’re worrying about the whole matter of your seeing colours…” he began.

  “Just stop.” She whirled around on him. “Miles, just stop. And think.”

  “I have. Ever since I touched you, took your virginity right here in this bed, Miss, I’ve done nothing but think about you. About us.”

  “And you feel obligated to marry me?”

  “Of course not. I want to marry you.”

  “Because you took my virginity and you are an honourable man. I understand that.”

  “Rose, you’re being silly. This has nothing to do with your virginity…”

  “But you just said…”

  “Oh for God’s sake.” He flung the linens aside and stood on his side of the large bed. “We shall wed, and that’s all there is to it.”

  “No.”

  “What do you mean no?”

  “I mean no, we shall not wed. And if you’ll sit down and stop glowering at me, I’ll tell you why.”

  He muttered something she couldn’t quite catch, but rounded the bed and took one of the chairs near the fireplace. “Very well. Tell me why.”

  “There are so many reasons, I scarcely know where to begin,” she sighed, taking the other chair and holding her toes out to the warmth. “But fundamentally, Miles, I am a terrible mismatch for someone with your heritage.”

  “How ridiculous,” he sputtered.

  She held up a hand. “Please. Hear me out. You already know about the whispers about madness in my family. Thanks to you I’m more comfortable with my little oddity, but my comfort has nothing to do with those whispers. Should we wed, they would become rumours and then gossip. Can you begin to imagine what it would be like for our children?”

  He opened his mouth, but then closed it and shook his head.

  “I had determined never to marry, Miles, Mama notwithstanding. She cannot force me to the altar. And I would take drastic measures to avoid such a thing because I know the misery of growing up amidst whispers of madness.” She shivered. “It is a terrible situation.”

  “And if I don’t care?”

  “Well, I do. Your line, the Linfield family—you have hundreds of years of prestigious forbears. You owe your heritage something special as you continue that line.”

  “You’re talking a lot of nonsense, Rose. I wish you’d stop.”

  “You asked me to be honest, Miles. I’m trying to.” She stood and walked to his chair, standing in front of him. “Here’s the most honest thing I’ve ever told anyone…I have discovered something with you that I never imagined I could possibly experience. You have showed me passion, desire, and allowed me to understand how amazing such things can be.” She gulped. “I am pretty sure I’m in love with you, Miles. And because of it, I will never do, nor will I allow anyone else to do, anything to hurt you. If I can prevent it.” She stared at him, willing him to understand.

  “Rose, I…” He stopped, and moved his hands toward her.

  “Just hold me, Miles. For now, just hold me.”

  *~~*~~*

  That he could do, and as she curled into his lap and settled there as if she had done such a thing a thousand times before, Miles accepted the truth between them. They loved. It was as simple as that.

  Persuading Rose that she was going to be his wife, and there would be no arguments about that, well…that would be a different matter. But he was confident that he could accomplish the task no matter how difficult.

  “Are you angry?” She leaned her head against the wing of the chair and looked at him.

  “I’m trying not to be,” he replied honestly.

  “Good.” She grinned. “Shall we—er—” Her eyes drifted to the bed.

  “Make love to each other?”

  She blushed and nodded. “Yes.”

  “No.”

  That got a blink and a tiny shocked intake of breath. “Um…”

  “You lost your virginity only a few hours ago, Rose. I am not th
e kind of man to insist upon making love to you so soon. No matter what you say, you either are sore now, or you would be after we’d been together. So tonight, if you want me to hold you, I will. If you just want me lying next to you, I will. If you want to sleep alone, I’ll go back to my cave.”

  “Grotto.”

  “Sorry, Grotto.”

  “So you don’t want me?” Her face was troubled.

  He sighed. “I have to say I deplore the way women interpret things sometimes.” He looked at her. “Did I say, at any time, that I didn’t want you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Very well then. Please do me the honour of believing what I say and not trying to twist it around. To confirm, yes. I want you. Very much.” He shifted on the chair. “As you should be well aware right now, since you’re squashing the incontrovertible evidence of my desires beneath your right thigh.”

  “Oh, Miles…” She moved her weight. “I’m so sorry.”

  He grimaced and made himself more comfortable. “No harm done. I think.”

  There was silence for a moment or two. “Thank you for your consideration,” she murmured.

  “You are sore, aren’t you?”

  “Only a little.” She grinned, the candlelight catching her eyes and making them sparkle. “And it was worth every minute of it.”

  “I’m glad you think so, love.” He hugged her. “I agree. But.”

  “There’s always a ‘but’ isn’t there?” She sighed.

  “In this case yes. I’m telling you in no uncertain terms, Rose. Forget this hare-brained notion you have of being my mistress. It is absolutely outrageous and I will not allow it under any circumstances at all.”

  Her chin went up. “Oh really.”

  “Yes. We will be married. Of course we’ll marry, so you can stop spouting nonsense about being touched with madness. We’re all a little mad in one way or another. You’re no different.”

  “I am different, Miles. You cannot deny that.” She frowned. “Neither can you deny that I am not a good social match.”

  “I’m not denying anything other than the assertion you’re insane.”

  “I know I’m not insane,” she hissed back. “Don’t be silly.”

  “Then if you’re not insane, and you know you’re not, what’s to stop you marrying me?” He rolled his eyes for a moment as he heard himself spout an assortment of strange words. “That sounded a bit confusing…”

  She eased away from him and stood. “Listen carefully. You are, at least to the best of my knowledge, an intelligent man. You are Lord Miles Linfield, and possibly other titles as well. You have a good estate at Linfield Lisle, a high position in the Ton, and a reputation for being an all-around Top-of-the-Trees gentleman.”

  “Your point?”

  “None of those assets would lead anyone to believe an alliance with the somewhat dubious Glynde-Beauchamp family is a good idea. In fact, you would have people queueing up to tell you why it was an appalling idea.”

  “So far, all you’ve told me is that people might whisper about you being insane, but you know you’re not. Also that your line is not as highfalutin’ as mine.” He shook his head. “Did I ever tell you about a great-uncle of mine who was hung for sheep-stealing?”

  “No and don’t try to divert me.” She paced, upset now, and seriously disturbed.

  “Rose, what is it? What’s stopping you from saying yes?”

  “Isn’t what I’ve said enough?”

  “No,” Miles stood now, holding onto his patience by the thinnest of threads. “You will marry me.”

  “I will not. I love you too much to marry you.”

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “So loving you is stupid, is it?”

  Miles gritted his teeth. “Of course not. But your conversation is starting to be.”

  “Well in that case, my Lord, I won’t make you suffer through it any longer.” She stalked to the door in the wall and opened it.

  “Rose.” He neared her. “What the hell is it? Why won’t you even consider marriage?”

  She glared at him. “Do you really want to know?”

  “Of course I do.”

  She shoved him through the door, catching him by surprise. He clung to the jamb to keep his balance. “What the…”

  “I think I’m probably a bastard, Miles. I doubt any Linfield, including yourself, would take on a base-born bride.” She hissed the words through clenched teeth. “There’s your truth, damn you.”

  And the door slammed in his face.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Only Lady Viola appeared for breakfast the next day, which was perfectly acceptable to Rose. She would have preferred an empty table, since a night filled with bouts of crying didn’t do much for one’s appearance the following morning.

  At least Miles had the decency to give her a wide berth, not appearing downstairs until Boris announced that their carriage had arrived along with their servants. Jenny hurried in to her mistress and Rose’s feet settled back on firm ground.

  Amidst the fuss of their departure, she had a chance to thank Lady Viola for her hospitality and received a warm hug in return.

  “Make it work, dear girl,” whispered Viola. “You are the one for him. I’ve never seen him so enamoured of a woman. It’s wonderful.” She hugged Rose again, her words of encouragement bringing tears perilously close to the surface once more.

  “Thank you, my Lady. And my regards to Miss Thetis and Sir Freddie…”

  “Of course, my dear, of course.” She shooed her out the door.

  “Miles, you take care of that girl. Otherwise I shall come up to town and we shall have a severe discussion…” The threat was delivered with hugs and kisses, but Rose heard it quite clearly. Miles’s response was more of a mumble, however, and she couldn’t hear what he said.

  She dreaded the carriage ride, but this time Jenny’s presence was a useful foil.

  They could not debate anything of import, of course, but kept their conversation mundane.

  Until they neared London.

  “I have directed Dobson to take us to Beauchamp Place, Miss Rose,” said Miles in his casually correct tone of voice.

  She nodded. “I believe that is an excellent notion. I have some matters to discuss with my aunt, and I would very much appreciate your presence at that time.”

  He glanced at her. “Thank you. Yes, I would like to be part of that conversation.”

  “I thought so.”

  He let that go, simply leaning back against the squabs and gazing from the carriage window. It had stopped raining at last, but the countryside still drooped from the previous day’s downpours.

  Was it only a day? It seemed a year, at least. She sighed to herself, resisting the impulse to slide her hand beneath Miles’s as it lay on his knee.

  Journeying with Miles should have been a joy; travelling in the silence that now stretched between them was agony.

  The clop of hooves on cobblestones heralded their arrival in town, and before much more time passed they were pulling up at the entrance to Beauchamp Place.

  Chalmers himself came down the steps to assist her from the carriage. “Welcome home, Miss Rose.”

  “Thank you, Chalmers.” She took his hand. “Has my mother been disturbed by my absence? We were completely caught in that terrible storm.”

  Chalmers face was impossible to read. “I believe Mrs Glynde-Beauchamp was concerned, Miss, but knowing you were with Lord Linfield assuaged her worries.” He relaxed and beamed at her, his smile wide and cheerful.

  “Oh dear.” Rose’s heart missed a beat. What had her mother done?

  She turned to Miles. “Do come in, my Lord. I know my mother will wish to extend her thanks to you for your care during our visit to Mountfort Meadow.”

  He bowed. “Of course. I’d be delighted.”

  “You may not be when you find out what my Mama has done…” she whispered in his ear.

  “What?” He to
ok off his coat and gloves and handed them, along with his hat, to Chalmers. “Thank you.”

  “Sir.” Chalmers bowed and walked away.

  “I don’t know. But it’s bound to be awful.” She bit her lip, knowing her mama’s tendency to rush her fences.

  “My dears…at last…” Mrs Glynde-Beauchamp emerged from the parlour wreathed in smiles. “Home at last and ready for tea, I’ll wager. We were quite worried about you both in that storm, but I convinced your aunt that all would be well. After all,” she flashed a huge smile at Miles, “you were with his Lordship, and at Mountfort Meadow with his family. I was assured he’d keep you safe and sound.”

  “Thank you,” bowed Miles, apparently immune to effusive overstatement.

  Rose was not. “Mama, you’re making a fuss. Stop.”

  “Oh darling girl, you have to expect a fuss. After all, it’s not every day that an announcement in the Times appears concerning your engagement.” Her mother continued to smile. “So exciting, isn’t it?”

  “Mother,” choked Rose, horrified. “What have you done?”

  “Why I did what was expected, Rose.”

  “You couldn’t. We are waiting for Uncle Sinjun. You know nothing was to be announced formally before his return…” She glanced at Miles. “Say something. Please?”

  “Perhaps listening is better right now, my dear,” he said quietly, his face giving nothing away of his thoughts.

  “Mama…”

  “Well here’s our girl.” A new voice boomed from the top of the stairs drawing everyone’s eyes.

  “Uncle Sinjun…” breathed Rose. “Oh God.” She reached behind her for Miles’s arm and grasped it, turning to him in panic. “Do something, dammit…”

  Miles nodded. “Very well.” He stepped forward and bowed to the gentleman descending the stairs.

  “So you’re the lad lucky enough to catch our Rose? Clever of you. She’s quite the woman…” He beamed at his niece. “Don’t worry, Rose my dear. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this chap. Very happy to give my approval.” He leaned forward. “Mind you, your mama would have had my guts for garters if I’d refused.”