Lady Rose's Mistake

Rose

Of all the luck! It had been one time. Just one. And now here she was, spewing up last night's salmon mousse into her chamber pot. Breathing deeply, Rose  leaned against her bed. Her damp nightgown was stuck to her back and her skin was pale and clammy. She grimaced at the taste in her mouth and cast a look at the glass of water on her bedside table. She wanted to rinse the taste from her mouth, but a part of her refused to let herself move. She almost felt that if she stayed rooted to that one spot, then time would stop altogether. And the minute she began to move, it would start again. And then she would have to acknowledge what was happening to her. What was happening to her body.

This wasn't the first time Rose had awoken with vomit in her mouth. Not even the second. And she dare not think back to when she last had her courses. Not since before that night.
She had just gotten back from London, having done the Season for roughly the sixth time. And still no offers. Mama had warned her to be less sharp and testy with prospective suitors, completely unaware how hilarious that statement had been coming from her. When they returned to Highclere they were greeted with the oh so wonderful news that little Lady Elizabeth had said her first word. Looking at Charles  and Coralines ecstatic faces as they gave the news, Rose felt no qualms about telling them that 'bab' was not a word.

Not that she need have bothered, even Mama and Papa was cooing over the dark eyed baby. She was unheard.

Dinner that night had been cloying. Mama had made a few 'subtle' jabs about Rose's lack of success of finding a suitor, and Charles and Coraline entertained the family with updates about Elizabeth . For example the time where Elizabeth grabbed one of Coraline's necklaces and broke it. Or when she nearly ate a slug. And of course there was the riveting tale of when they became convinced Elizabeth was choking to death, only to discover she had simply drunk her milk too quickly.

Rather abruptly, Rose stood from her seat. Then, claiming a headache, she excused herself. Instead of making her way to bed, she decided to cool herself off by going on a walk in the cool night's air. That was when she bumped into him. Rose knew him by sight but not by name. She had occasionally seen him at church and in the village, but that was all. A local farmhand. Not worth her notice really. That said, she rather liked the look of him. Broad shoulders, dark hair and cold blue eyes. His smile had an ironic, sarcastic tilt to it that when directed at her, made Rose feel as though the two of them were sharing a joke against the rest of the world.

"Excuse me," she said imperiously, "But what are you doing here?"

"What's it matter to you?" he demanded.

"Quite a lot, actually," Rose replied, sticking her chin up, "Seeing as this is my garden,"

"Sorry M'lady, but I was under the impression that this was Lord Astor's garden. And I rather doubt you're 'im. Course you might have a point if you were Lord Highcleres bride, seeing as she paid for this place. But you ain't Darkhaired  so that can't be it,"

Rose's lips thinned, "I don't like your impertinence. And I happen to be Lady Rose Astor ,"

"Oh? The spinster daughter?"

Rose turned white with rage. "Why.. you-" she stuttered.

"Don't fuss yourself," he interrupted, "I'm in the same boat. My girl who works at the house just told me to scram. So I'm left without a special someone either,"

"Maids are not meant to have Gentlemen callers," Rose  replied coldly.

The man smirked, and waltzed over. He leered down at her arrogantly. "But you are, aren't you? What does it say about you when a kitchen maid can get a man, but Lady Rose Astor daughter of the Earl can't?" He leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "Or may be she can,"