The Heart of the Rose

7

It was Saturday morning and Rose didn't have to be anywhere. She was sure her brother would not be coming by today. She was planning on lounging in bed cuddling with Grace. That was her plan until Minnie came into her room and told her she had a visitor and the Duke would be up in a few minutes to carry her down. She threw on one of her gowns and quickly arranged her hair so she was ready when Ethan came to calim her.

Simon was waiting for her when she was carried into the parlor. Ethan noticed Rose closed her eyes when she saw him. He had to laugh it was something a child would do.

"You can't make him go away like that Rosy dear. You have to deal with this problem head on."

At the use of her name, her eyes popped open. He had called her Rosy. No one ever called her Rosy it was more of an endearment. She was never close enough to anyone for them to call her that.

He placed her on the sofa, and he sat next to her. An action which was not unnoticed by Othello. He had to wonder if the king hadn't planned this romance. He could have ordered them to marry they both would have complied. The King needed her with someone who would understand the importance of her work and would let it continue. When the subject of one of the Duchesses sons had come up to be the husband of the young Rose is when the king came up with the idea of her going to live with them. He wanted to see if either one of them would suit her. Othello would have to report back to the king it was the Duke who was smitten with England's most precious Rose.

"I received Ethan's missive about your brother. He also told me he knows your identity as Shy Violet. So I can talk freely about your work, and your importance to the king. You know your brother better than anyone other than your uncle Hap what do you think he is up to?"

"I don't know if it's anything. I just overheard a conversation between Flynn and Lord Granville. They were talking in whispers so I could be imagining it. I could be blowing this out of proportion. I just have a bad feeling about it. I can not help but get chills everytime I think about it. What if they are up to something illegal? We all know Flynn is not the smartest person. He never thinks things through he rushes in "

"Tell me about your entire encounter and conversation with them. Tell me how you felt at the time. Your instincts have always been good, my dear so let's just go over the entire thing and break it down and analyze it. Maybe come up with an answer."

Rose closed her eyes and began.

"Ethan was carrying me down the stairs when Corwin was just letting Flynn and Lord Grandville in. My brother made a comment about calling out Ethan for handling me so personally. Grace barked she seemed agitated at their arrival. I told Flynn I wouldn't want that I had been hurt."

Her eyes opened.

"Maybe I shouldn't have chided him."

Simon, could see she was panicking as if she did something wrong.

"Take a breath and tell me exactly what you said to your brother."

She nodded and continued.

"As far as I remember I believe I said. "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." I shouldn't have question his manhood. He is such a lousy shot he couldn't hit a still target. My father used to say he was glad Flynn would never be in a duel since he be certain to die." Flynn didn't seem upset at my words I spoke the truth it was well known within the family. Next, I think he introduced Lord Grandville he bowed to me but ignored Ethan."

Ethan thought a moment before he spoke.

"I did think that I had been slighted since neither of the men even acknowledged me. I was the highest-ranking person in the room but I was the only one who was not addressed. It's probably not important but it was rather odd."