Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
“What do you think of the book so far?” Rose asked. It was a hefty tome, so the group decided to read a third of the book each week over three weeks.
“It’s better than the last, although there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss the book once the meeting is underway,” Lydia said.
The two of them were sitting together and enjoying some tea.
There was always some time set aside for lively conversation as everyone arrived.
“I would prefer to hear about how things are going with Edmund.”
Rose cleared her throat and adjusted her posture slightly. Although she had anticipated this question, she wasn’t entirely sure she was prepared to answer it.
“It is going about as well as can be expected.”
“High praise,” Lydia said dryly.
“He has been a gentleman,” Rose said, for she did not want to speak badly about Lydia’s brother when there was no cause to do so, while also laying seeds for her plan to declare her love for Edmund.
She didn’t think there would be any difficulty in convincing her parents, but Lydia would be another matter.
“Then he has been on his best behavior.”
“Certainly, and I must admit that it has given me pause for thought. Although I value my own company, it is pleasant to share experiences with someone else.”
Lydia’s eyes widened, and she gasped. “Are you suggesting that I have been right all along?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Rose said, wanting to appear guarded. “I certainly don’t believe Edmund is the type of man I wish to marry; I am merely saying that I can better understand the appeal.”
“Well, I believe he has something special planned for your next outing.”
“Oh, really?” Rose arched an eyebrow. “And what would that be?”
“I am not sure exactly, and I wouldn’t even tell you if I did. Surely it would be better if you were surprised?”
“I am not sure about that,” Rose said, and began to wonder what Edmund might have planned.
In all honesty, it was difficult to anticipate a man like him.
He seemed to have wild ideas, and given that his whole philosophy revolved around experiencing life to the fullest, he might well have planned anything.
“He did mention that you set out rules for him. I never realized you were so particular about things, Rose. You have never mentioned a concern about getting your shoes muddy to me,” Lydia said with a knowing smile, and her words began to tremble with laughter.
Rose couldn’t hide her delight.
“I wanted to test him to see how sincere he would be.”
“You are terrible.”
“Well, I couldn’t very well make it easy for him. I never asked for this in the first place.”
“No, but it does not seem to be bothering you as much as you thought it would. I know that if you were truly unhappy, then you would put a stop to it.”
“True, although he did spend an awful lot of money.”
“When have you ever given a thought to other people’s money?”
Rose shrugged. “Well, I must be honest with you and say that Edmund isn’t entirely as I thought he would be.”
“Oh? In a good way, I hope.”
“Perhaps. I am not quite sure, in truth. Although I know that responsibility was thrust upon him at a young age and he has done well in taking care of you and Charlotte, I did not think there was a serious bone in his body. Yet when we were standing before the paintings, a certain mood came over him.”
“What kind of mood?”
“A dark one,” Rose said, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“The first was when we were standing before a painting depicting a village beneath a storm, and the other was of two lovers parting on a beach. He said something about some things being lost forever. Do you have any idea about what it might refer to? I did consider the possibility that it had something to do with your parents, but then when we saw the paintings of lovers… was there ever a special woman in his life?”
“There are probably many women who believe they have been special to him, but no, nobody stood out. I am not entirely sure what could have come over Edmund. He has never shown any sign of this behavior before. Regarding my parents, Edmund has always taken it in stride. He was the strong one for Charlotte and me. Nothing ever bothers him. Life just rolls off him like water off a duck’s back. ”
“I see,” Rose said, furrowing her brow, deep in thought. There was something puzzling about Edmund, some aspect of him that was slipping between the gaps of her and Lydia’s experiences.
The meeting got underway soon after this, although Rose was not as vocal as usual. Instead, she was dwelling on Edmund, what he might be hiding, and what he might have planned for their third promenade.
She realized then that there would only be two outings left after this. She was going to have to be more overt with her opinions if she was going to play the role of a scorned woman at the end of all this.
So, when she and Lydia parted ways at the end of the group, Rose clasped her hands tightly.
“Lydia, would you do me a favor and pass on a message to Edmund for me?”
“Of course, what is the nature of the message?”
“Tell him that I am looking forward to whatever he has planned for us, and that he would do well to listen to his wise sister as she has great insight into many things,” Rose offered a sweet smile, while Lydia blushed.
Her eyes were filled with delight, and Rose knew that something had been planted.
Her plan was in motion, and when the final promenade was over, Edmund would leave and declare that while he had enjoyed his time with Rose, he did not intend to marry her.
Then, she could pretend that she was overwhelmed with despair and would never have to worry about having a romance forced upon her ever again.
Hopefully.
When Rose returned home, she caught her parents just before she retired for bed.
“I spoke to Lydia today, and she told me the most wonderful news. Apparently. Edmund is planning a special surprise for our next outing. I am so thrilled to see what his mind can conjure. I shall go to bed dreaming of it. Thank you so much for arranging this; it has certainly provided my life with a great deal of excitement, if nothing else,” she said, then flashed a grateful smile and skipped up the stairs.
Her parents probably thought that the stars were aligning, but they had no idea that Edmund’s heart lacked any desire for marriage.
In this, and only this, they were united.
When the note informing her about their third promenade arrived, Rose decided to keep it from her parents.
She was not done with testing Edmund yet.
She intended to arrive alone, unchaperoned, to see how he reacted.
If he was a reckless rake as society believed, then she would see it plainly for herself, but more than this, she wanted to prove to herself that she would not be unsettled by him again.
She knew she should worry about her reputation. Being seen like this could ruin her, but she chose to ignore it. After all, this could be another way to escape marriage.
With nobody else knowing that the promenade was taking place on this particular day, there was nobody to scold her.
She ventured outside and ordered the footman to take her to the arranged meeting place, a set of fields on the outskirts of London.
She imagined he had planned another picnic, which did not feel like much of a surprise.
However, a thrill filled her heart, and a dizzying feeling swept over her, because the sense of independence and freedom she experienced was intoxicating. She thought this might be how things would be for the rest of her life. She would never have to rely on anyone again.
The carriage eventually stopped outside a low stone wall.
Fields and meadows stretched out before her in beautiful shades of yellow and green.
Edmund was standing there, flanked by two horses.
One was chestnut brown, and the other was obsidian.
They were beautiful creatures, and Rose’s heart was captured by them immediately.
“Who are these?” she gasped.
“Strum and Pluck,” Edmund said, regarding her with a cool look, then he looked past her. “Is Jenny not joining us today?”
Rose fixed her gaze upon him and stuck her chin out. “No. I am alone,” she said this as though it were a challenge, and she waited patiently to see how he would react.
Edmund pursed his lips and looked at her, then at the carriage, and back to her again.
“Then the horses shall have to suffice as your chaperone,” he said with an air of confidence. He seemed completely unshaken by her lack of a chaperone, which irritated her, though the presence of the horses distracted her.
“Hello there,” she said to each horse in turn, placing her hand on their heads and speaking in a low volume so they would get used to her. They bowed their heads, accepting her, and she stroked their mane. “They are beautiful.”
“They’re good horses, and both are obedient. Which one would you like to ride today?”
“Is that the surprise, riding?”
“Indeed, as long as you are not too delicate. I would hate for your clothes to be ruined,” he said with a pointed look.
He must have asked Lydia about this, and now he realized that what she told him had been a lie.
She wasn’t about to admit it outright, so she breezed past him and decided to ride Strum, the chestnut horse.
“I am sure I can handle it.”
“Really? Because I recall you telling me that you were afraid of your shoes getting muddy.”
“Not these shoes,” she replied, and quickly pulled herself up on the horse, which left Edmund impressed.
“You’ve done this before.”
“Mother is fond of the outdoors. I spent much of my childhood in the countryside with her. I think she was pleased with the company. Where are we riding to?”
Edmund mounted his horse as well and struck a powerful figure as he sat astride the animal’s back, like a knight. He gestured with his hands all around him.
“Pick a direction. The world is yours,” he said.