“Yes, well, that was unplanned. In fact, one could argue that you seduced me that time…after all, what defenses did I have prepared against your onslaught of innocence?”
“That is a nonsensical phrase.”
“True, though. If you’d been trying for a kiss from a scandalous rake, I wouldn’t have been nearly so intrigued. Instead you asked for nothing, and therefore I simply had to plant a kiss on your pretty mouth. And of course, in my planned seduction, there will be more kissing.”
“You are a fiend, sir,” Rose said with a light laugh, though her stomach had decided to flip over at the memory of that kiss in the garden. “You are seducing me by merely outlining a plan of seduction. In full daylight, in public, in view of who knows how many citizens of London.”
“Yes, I hoped you’d like it,” he said with a sly warmth that nearly made her break out her fan.
“You shall need to talk about something extremely dull before you can return me to my house,” she warned, knowing that she was in enough of a state of agitation that Poppy would immediately know something had occurred…even though nothing did.
Obligingly, Lord Norbury talked about his best friend’s life in the colony of Santo Domingo, and how he’d come to England after the French took possession of most of the island of Hispaniola following the latest war, in which the Spanish had suffered significant losses.
The topic wasn’t dull at all, but it was different enough that Rose was able to put aside her body’s reactions to Adrian’s previous discussion and settle on the carriage seat listening to stories set an ocean away.
“Why would anyone come to England after all that?” she asked finally, thinking that London must seem very staid and boring.
“His family has trade interests that span many countries, and he’s here to solidify some of them with British firms.”
“Will he go back home, then?” Rose asked.
“Eventually, for a time. He doesn’t seem likely to ever settle down anywhere, unless he gets the revolution he’s been hoping for.”
“Excuse me?” Rose asked, assuming she’d misheard.
“There are factions in Santo Domingo that chafe against being ruled from abroad. They’d prefer to rule themselves.”
“Oh, like the States.”
“Exactly. One would almost think that people prefer independence to the glorious honor of being ruled—and taxed—by His Majesty.”
“Is that so, my lord?”
He laughed, acknowledging her point. “Yes, it must sound like nonsense coming from me. As a viscount, I benefit from the current order of things. I can’t deny it. But being friends with Carlos has opened my eyes to a lot of things…er, pardon the expression.”
Rose waved a hand to dismiss the notion that she was offended. “A figure of speech that arose because it is true. Vision is the most important sense. I don’t expect the English language to change to accommodate my particular condition.”
“Do you really think that? That vision is the most important sense?”
“Well, perhaps it is better to say that society considers it so. I can say that losing it has had rather a strong impact on me,” Rose told him. “Losing my sense of smell would not be nearly so disruptive…only sad that I could not enjoy flowers and foods so much.”
“What about hearing? If you lost that, you couldn’t enjoy music.”
“That’s true,” Rose said, struck. “I’d be devastated if I couldn’t hear music or know what notes my fingers played on the pianoforte. It might be easier to navigate the world—a little—but for me, I think it would be worse to never hear again.”
“For instance, you’d be denied the sound of my delightful conversation,” Norbury noted wryly.
“Truly a horror to contemplate,” Rose agreed, recognizing that he was returning the discussion to a lighter mood, keeping her from dwelling on thoughts that might sadden her.
This whole carriage ride had been a revelation. For a so-called rake, Adrian Marsh had behaved very properly…mostly. He had not once attempted to kiss her or push for any physical familiarities that the other man had been so quick to try. Part of Rose was relieved—she didn’t want to have to fend off every single man who came within three feet of her. And of course, they were very much in public now, with the sounds of the city all around them, and many observers to passively chaperone by simply existing. But another part of her was a little saddened. It had been so exciting when he had flirted with her before. But he must have decided that there was no point in continuing to charm her so. It wasn’t as if he was ever going to court Rose in a formal way. The scandalous Viscount Norbury wasn’t going to settle down with a wallflower wife!
“I should return you to your home eventually,” he said then. “I’ve pressed my luck very far already.”
“Oh, but you rescued me, and that will go very far in addressing any concerns of my parents about how long I’ve been out.”
“Let us hope that’s the case,” Norbury said, not as optimistic.
In her driveway, he alighted quickly, but before he could get around to the other side of the curricle, a young boy hurried up and called to Rose. “I’m supposed to take you inside immediately, miss!”
