The Heart of the Rose

10

In the morning Rose felt anything but rested. She had been up most of the night and when she did sleep all she thought about was the kiss and how she felt. She wondered if all kisses were like that or just your first one. She slowly sat up in bed to find Grace was still sleeping at the foot of the bed. Everything appeared normal but her heart said otherwise.

She dressed carefully for the races. The sky looked dark and foreboding, but this was England, and it could begin this way, and soon the sun could peek out if only for a moment. She made her way down to the dinning room wherever one was meeting for breakfast. To her surprise she was the first one there. She sat and waited for everyone else and was glad she was not alone long. The three Kingston's came down together.

Evan was talking about a rumor he hear about the Young Earl of Darlington. Carl was there to buy the winner of the race. Evidently since becoming the Earl he had immersing himself in his two passions horses and Cooking. All the owners are setting prices on their nags. Rose thought about it. She knew Carl and she knew he loved both those thing's and she could see him investing on the winner of the race. But if the owners thought to raise the prices on their horses because he wanted it they were in for a rude surprise. Carl was a shrewd business man and was not a push over. He was nothing like his predecessor. She had looked over his fathers books after his death at Carl's request. She found his he was a horrible bookkeeper and he never knew his actual worth. Carl was now aware of his worth and knew how to make it bigger. She remembered the different Lords she had did bookkeeping for and there were some crazy methods to be sure. Carl's were not bad.

After breakfast they all made their way to where the race would be being held. They sat in the buggies giving them the best view of the track. The men were off to make their bets. The Duchess and Rose remained in the buggy.

"Are you enjoying yourself Rose dear?"

"Yes your Grace I am. I am a little worried about my brother."

"What is it that is concerning you?"

"I just think he is up to something. I just do not know what."

"I supposes your intuition should not be question. No one knows your brother better than you. I think you should let Ethan and Evan know your feelings."

"The Duke knows of my worry. He has even talked with Othello and let him know of my concerns. I might be over reacting."

Olivia could not fathom Rose over reacting. She would have to talk with the boys and let them know her brother might be up to something. She had been feeling concerned about his friend Rand. Every time they are were in the room she heard the two men would be whispering about Rose and her skills and assets. That was why she invited him and his grandmother to the piano performance. Before her thoughts could wander anymore a shot rang out and Rose slumped over.

After the shot rang out Olivia noticed everything became silent. The she heard people panicking and found cover for her and Rose. Othello appeared to come out of nowhere and picked Rose up and laid her on the ground. Assuring Olivia to lay down on the floor of the buggy, and not to move.

Ethan joined Simon and saw the blood turning Rosy's white blouse red. Ethan ripped the sleeve off her blouse to see how bad the wound was. They were relieved it was a flesh wound. She would survive. Evan joined them and talked as he helped his mother off the floor of the buggy.

"No one saw anything and her brother and the Earl were placing their bets it was not them."

Did anyone see where the shot came from?"

Olivia interjected.

"Everyone heard it but no one saw it. I think we need to get her back to the house and keep her inside until we can get her back to the city."