The Heart of the Rose

6

"The Duke is wondering when you need help downstairs my lady?"

"I can be ready in 30 minutes Minnie if he could come by then to help me that would be wonderful."

Minnie left, and Rose slid out of bed dressing herself in one of the dresses she had made for ease and comfort. When Minnie returned Rose only needed help with her hair. She decided to wear the ribbon that had been around Graces neck last night. True to her word when the Duke arrived to carry her downstairs she was ready. When he scooped her up she felt the queasy feeling that he invoked in her. She said nothing because she chooses to feel the happiness he conjured instead.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs Corwin was letting in a couple of visitors.

"I dare say should I be calling you out your Grace for handling my sister so?"

Rose giggled, and Grace barked.

"I cannot walk Flynn His Grace is helping me, so I don't hurt myself more. And I don't suggest you call out anyone you are a lousy shot. I am sure I would be better suited to the task if the need arose."

Flynn stood there smiling. Everything she said was true he was a lousy shot. He wouldn't have called out the Duke anyway he might have made him marry her to be rid of her supervision but call him out he wasn't a complete idiot. Flynn turned to his friend.

"You remember Lord Grandville?"

The man next to Flynn bowed and acknowledged Rose before ever saying anything to the Duke. Ethan was upset he was not used to being ignored. Ethan turned to take her and the pup to the parlor where she could talk with her brother. Ethan left the three of them alone after all one of them was her brother what danger could he be?

"I received your missive about a bonus. So here I am."

Rose laughed.

"Yes, you are here, I just thought before the Derby on Tuesday you would like a little extra coin above your monthly allowance."

Brother and sister sat there in uncomfortable silence before Lord Grandville decided to start a conversation. Rand needed this meeting to go smoothly. He needed to make a good impression on Rose. She was his last hope.

"I hear you are making your debut next week this will be your first season."

Rose turned to him.

"Yes, I am ten in seven and it is about time I am presented. Will you be joining the season My Lord?"

"I am afraid so Lady Hillary. I must find a rich wife or my family will lose everything."

Rose made a mental note to stay away from him. The last occurrence she wanted was to find someone who needed her talent instead of her. She turned her attention back to her brother.

"Will I see you during the season?"

He looked grudgingly at her and to his friend.

"If Rand will be at the gatherings so will I. Know I am not looking for a wife."

Rose laughed.

"I didn't think you were you are only twenty and six and don't need to think about that just yet at your age. You have a lot more living to do instead of being tied down with a wife."

"See the girl has sense a plenty. So how much are you willing to give me for this bonus a ton or a monkey?"

Rose laughed did he not think she knew slang terms for thing's?

"I will give you two tons I don't need you throwing away

more than that at the races. After all if you had control over your spending I would not need to oversee your finances."