“No. I feel…good about things actually.”
“I’m glad. Truly glad.” Rose smiled into his handsome face. “I couldn’t bear it if I had caused you pain.”
He smiled. “You haven’t. I will miss you though.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Rose said, and she meant it with all her heart.
They found Sophie and Alexandra in the parlor.
“May I inquire as to Lady Longarry’s whereabouts?” Evan asked.
“Why?” Alexandra said. “So you can be rude to her?”
“Ally!” Sophie touched her sister’s arm. “My lord, she’s on the back terrace.”
“Thank you, my lady.” Evan excused himself.
“Rose, dear,” Alexandra said, “you looked a little pale. Are you feeling well?”
“It’s just been a trying day,” Rose said, “and I had a bout of nausea earlier. It’s just nerves.”
“Nerves? About what?” Sophie asked.
Rose took a deep breath. The girls didn’t know about Cameron, and she didn’t want to tell them. At least not yet. But she did need to tell them about Evan. “Lord Evan and I have decided to stop seeing each other.”
“That cad!” Alexandra said hotly. “The way he reacted to mother’s engagement, and now this. What on earth did he do to you?”
“He did nothing, Ally,” Rose said. “It was a mutual decision.”
“Dearest Rose, don’t try to be strong. And please don’t defend him.”
“I’m not. Really,” Rose said. “It honestly was a mutual decision. We’re simply not in love with each other.”
“He’s a fool,” Ally said.
“No more so than I,” Rose replied. “We decided that we’re both young yet, and we don’t want to tie ourselves down when we might find love with another. Look at his father and your mother. They fell in love twenty years ago but couldn’t be together because they both were committed to others.”
“And he understood that?” Sophie asked.
“Yes. And he agreed.”
“Then maybe he’ll treat Mother with a tad more respect now,” Alexandra said. “Although I won’t hold my breath.”
“Ally, he’s going to be our brother. You shouldn’t speak of him with such contempt.”
“Stepbrother, Sophie. There’s no blood between us, and I personally think he’s a rude and obnoxious beast. A mountainous beast. Quite easy on the eyes though…”
“No, he’s not a beast,” Rose said. “He’s a very honorable man. He was kind and generous with me. I’m going to miss him, actually.”
“If you like him so much, I don’t understand your decision,” Alexandra said. “I know he’s only a second son, but money doesn’t seem to matter much to you. He’s outrageously handsome, even if he is a beast, and you like him. What more do you want in a marriage prospect?”
“I want love, Ally.” Rose sighed.
“Rose, just because Lily found a love match doesn’t mean it’s in the cards for the rest of us. It rarely happens, you know.”
“But what about your mother and Lord Brighton?”
“A geriatric love match.” Ally rolled her eyes. “How charming.”