very least. So, if you could accompany me there this
afternoon that would be lovely.”
“Very well, Miss.” As they entered the house
Mary's demeanor returned to her usual role, as befit her station,
rather than the role of friend that she sometimes assumed when they
were alone. “Shall I take your drawing instruments for you so that
you can adjourn to the dining room and break your fast with your
mother?”
“Thank you, Mary.” Rose glanced in the mirror
over the mantle to ensure she was sufficiently tidy before
hastening away to join her mother.
****
“Rosamund, how lovely to see you this
morning,” her mother greeted in a weak tone.
“Good morning, Mother. Did you sleep all
right?” Rose worried about her mother. She had never been robust,
but ever since Luke's death she had become wan and pale.
“Sufficiently well, my dear, thank you. And
what about you? You appear to be in fine fettle this morning.”
“I was up and about quite early this morning.
I took my pencils and went to see some of the artifacts Lord Elgin
has brought back with him from the Turks as they are set up in
Burlington House. I so hope the lords can finish wrangling over
them, as they truly are a marvel. It is hard to fathom they are so
old. I do believe I shall have to return several times in order to
get my picture quite right.”
“That is lovely, my dear,” Lady Smythe
replied, clearly not paying full attention. Rose grinned. She
doubted she would have any trouble getting out of the house to meet
Alex again. As long as she was accompanied by Mary, all would be
well.
“Do you have anything interesting planned for
your day?” Rose inquired politely.
“Not much, my dear. I have to meet with the
housekeeper and perhaps I shall pay a call or two, but I need to
conserve my strength for this evening. We are promised to the
Charringtons for their ball.”
“Oh yes, I have heard they have a reputation
for their hospitality. There shall no doubt be a crowd.”
Lady Smythe gave a delicate shudder before
asking, “Are you enjoying your stay in London, my dear? I know you
were looking forward to it, but then you seemed rather disappointed
when we first arrived.”
“I will admit to you that I have very mixed
feelings on the subject. I do not enjoy the crowds that most of the ton seem to rejoice in. It seems that a hostess is not
satisfied unless she has her rooms crammed past their capacity. In
Vienna it was much more comfortable to my taste. But of course,
here there is a much better mix of people to choose from. In Vienna
we were stuck with the same people day after day for a year and a
half, which could become tiresome if you did not enjoy someone's
company.” Mother and daughter shared a smile over this before Rose
continued. “With greater choice of people I am able to make more
varied friendships, which is lovely. Let us say that the Season is
growing on me.”
“Do you think,” Lady Smythe began hesitantly,
“that is to say, have you met any gentlemen that appeal to
you?”
Rose allowed a low chuckle to escape her
lips. “Ah yes, the real reason behind the Season. No one
particularly as of yet, unfortunately.”
“Perhaps it will be easier for you once your
brother arrives,” suggested Lady Smythe.
“Is it really such an urgent matter, my
lady?” Rose asked with a touch of worry. “Do I have to make a match
this Season?”
Lady Smythe gazed at her daughter with
dismay. “Well no, my dear, it is not urgent per se, it is just
desirable.”
Understanding dawned on Rose. “You do not
enjoy the Season overmuch either, do you? Perhaps I could just
remain single and return home with you and Father,” Rose suggested,
hope ringing in her voice.
“That would be lovely, until your father
passes on and you are stuck as a spinster living upon your
brother's charity. And depending whom he chooses to wed, it could
be even more uncomfortable for you. It is much better for your own
sake for you to find some
afternoon that would be lovely.”
“Very well, Miss.” As they entered the house
Mary's demeanor returned to her usual role, as befit her station,
rather than the role of friend that she sometimes assumed when they
were alone. “Shall I take your drawing instruments for you so that
you can adjourn to the dining room and break your fast with your
mother?”
“Thank you, Mary.” Rose glanced in the mirror
over the mantle to ensure she was sufficiently tidy before
hastening away to join her mother.
****
“Rosamund, how lovely to see you this
morning,” her mother greeted in a weak tone.
“Good morning, Mother. Did you sleep all
right?” Rose worried about her mother. She had never been robust,
but ever since Luke's death she had become wan and pale.
“Sufficiently well, my dear, thank you. And
what about you? You appear to be in fine fettle this morning.”
“I was up and about quite early this morning.
I took my pencils and went to see some of the artifacts Lord Elgin
has brought back with him from the Turks as they are set up in
Burlington House. I so hope the lords can finish wrangling over
them, as they truly are a marvel. It is hard to fathom they are so
old. I do believe I shall have to return several times in order to
get my picture quite right.”
“That is lovely, my dear,” Lady Smythe
replied, clearly not paying full attention. Rose grinned. She
doubted she would have any trouble getting out of the house to meet
Alex again. As long as she was accompanied by Mary, all would be
well.
“Do you have anything interesting planned for
your day?” Rose inquired politely.
“Not much, my dear. I have to meet with the
housekeeper and perhaps I shall pay a call or two, but I need to
conserve my strength for this evening. We are promised to the
Charringtons for their ball.”
“Oh yes, I have heard they have a reputation
for their hospitality. There shall no doubt be a crowd.”
Lady Smythe gave a delicate shudder before
asking, “Are you enjoying your stay in London, my dear? I know you
were looking forward to it, but then you seemed rather disappointed
when we first arrived.”
“I will admit to you that I have very mixed
feelings on the subject. I do not enjoy the crowds that most of the ton seem to rejoice in. It seems that a hostess is not
satisfied unless she has her rooms crammed past their capacity. In
Vienna it was much more comfortable to my taste. But of course,
here there is a much better mix of people to choose from. In Vienna
we were stuck with the same people day after day for a year and a
half, which could become tiresome if you did not enjoy someone's
company.” Mother and daughter shared a smile over this before Rose
continued. “With greater choice of people I am able to make more
varied friendships, which is lovely. Let us say that the Season is
growing on me.”
“Do you think,” Lady Smythe began hesitantly,
“that is to say, have you met any gentlemen that appeal to
you?”
Rose allowed a low chuckle to escape her
lips. “Ah yes, the real reason behind the Season. No one
particularly as of yet, unfortunately.”
“Perhaps it will be easier for you once your
brother arrives,” suggested Lady Smythe.
“Is it really such an urgent matter, my
lady?” Rose asked with a touch of worry. “Do I have to make a match
this Season?”
Lady Smythe gazed at her daughter with
dismay. “Well no, my dear, it is not urgent per se, it is just
desirable.”
Understanding dawned on Rose. “You do not
enjoy the Season overmuch either, do you? Perhaps I could just
remain single and return home with you and Father,” Rose suggested,
hope ringing in her voice.
“That would be lovely, until your father
passes on and you are stuck as a spinster living upon your
brother's charity. And depending whom he chooses to wed, it could
be even more uncomfortable for you. It is much better for your own
sake for you to find some
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