The Heart of the Rose

8

Sunday was Easter and the Duchess insisted that Rose and she go out visiting friends. This made it hard for Ethan to protect her. There was no way to contact Othello to let him know. He was stuck going visiting with them. This was one of the thing's he hated to do with his mother, but today it was rather enjoyable. He never remembered laughing so much on one of these excursions. Rosy had a special wit about her that most women would not show.

They visited three families The Mallards, the Hemsworth's and much to his surprise Rose's uncle Hap. It was at Hap's or as most people knew him the Viscount of Everly they ran in to Flynn and Lord Grandville. Hap didn't seem to be expecting them. Rose had to wonder when this visit had been planned. The Duchess waltzed in as if she were the queen and not the king's cousin. Hap who was always happy to have people visit was a warm and cheerful person greeted her as if she were the queen. He didn't question why they decided to visit him he was genuinely happy to see them.

Rose had only been to Everly manor a few times since her Aunt had died. Mostly when the Countess insisted Rose needed to be with her mother's family some of the time too. The Countess had passed away two years ago from lung illness, Rose stopped coming. Ethan watched how Grandville watched Rose and interacted with her.

Rand decided to take advantage of this circumstance that he had been handed on a silver platter. He knew it would be best to win her over rather than to carry out the plan they had made to arrange a marriage between them. Flynn did not see a problem with their course of action, but Rand was having a touch of consciousness. There was no way he could back out. He needed the money and it was the best way to keep Flynn by his side. He cleared his throat and spoke the words Rose always dreaded.

"I hear you play beautifully; I wonder Lady Hillary if you would honor us with a few songs?"

Rose looked at him like he was crazy. No one ever asked Rose to play. She could play and play well but everyone knew of her fear of performing. It was Hap who intervened knowing how much she hated to show off her talent.

"Rose dear if you would like to play we would all welcome the beautiful sounds, but you don't have to if the fear is too great. Everyone here will understand."

Ethan could see Flynn was enjoying the fear his sister was feeling. He looked over at Rose and saw her distress and was ready to agree with Hap. He saw her take a deep breath and stand up and walk over to the piano. He could see she was struggling with her emotions, her eyes were closed. She looked like she was saying a silent prayer. Her fingers touched the ivory and Ethan was amazed she was playing Mozart's piano concerto as well as the master himself.

When she was finished everyone applauded it was amazing. Flynn grinned as if he were proud of his sister. He leaned over to Rand.

"See I told you she was a master pianist."

Rand looked over at Flynn.

"That will be a very good asset to have to win over my Gran."

The comment was not unnoticed by the Duke. He decided not to let it pass he figured if he called them out on it that they would be less inclined to do something stupid later.

"What difference does it make to your Gran if Rose can play?"

Rand tried to mask the guilt he was feeling. He was not very good at it. Flynn on the other hand was a master at it.

"My grandmother was well. she still is, but she can't play much anymore. You might have heard of her, Lady Lucinda Bowles. She studied with Ludwig van Beethoven when she was young. She enjoys hearing others play. Ecspecailly if they are exceptional like Lady Hillary. That is all I ment."