“Pardon me, ladies.” Both girls jumped at Salisbury’s voice from the doorway. “Lord Henry Winchester, Viscount Morley to see Miss Rose.”
Fern and Rose exchanged identical expressions of confusion, and the normally unflappable Salisbury looked momentarily lost. “Shall I send him in?”
Fern’s eyes shot to Rose as she adopted her best “welcoming company” expression. “Thank you, Salisbury.”
“Do you know who that is?” Fern asked.
“I’ve heard of him,” Rose replied as their butler left the room. “We’ve met once or twice at large parties, and he’s apparently a complete scoundrel. Why he’d be here is beyond—”
“Miss Rose, how lovely to see you!” The impeccably dressed gentleman strode into the room like a man leading a parade, chin high and arms extended wide to greet her.
Lord Henry stopped in front of Rose and took her offered hand, lightly touching his lips to her knuckles. “I have not seen you since your father’s soiree.”
Fern’s heart stumbled, and she saw Rose stiffen before cutting her sister a quick glance. “I—we—why yes, that was an enjoyable evening, was it not?” Rose stammered.
He gave her a dazzling smile. “We were only introduced briefly, and I’m afraid you did not save me a dance, as you were otherwise occupied with my friend Mr. Carroway,” he said, giving her a quick wink. Rose pressed her lips into a smile, even as a muscle in her jaw twitched.
Fern squeaked, apparently loudly enough to distract Lord Morley from Rose. Fern squeezed her eyes shut as a wave of dizziness swept over her.Henry, is this Alex’s friend Henry?
He turned and dropped his hand into his trouser pocket before extending his palm to Fern and taking her hand. “I don’t believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance.”
Fern’s stomach turned to lead. This was certainly Alex’s friend Henry, the man she met at her father’s ball. The one who lent Alex his horse, his best friend and confidante.He knows, she thought as her heart began to pound.He met me at the ball and he knows.
Lord Henry took her hand, and something hard pressed in her palm. Her eyes met his, and he raised his eyebrows, the slightest bit, before glancing at her hand. He dropped his lips to graze her knuckles.
“Lord Morley,” Fern croaked, dipping into a quick curtsey and dropping her hand into her skirt pockets. Squeezing gently, she felt the give of folded paper under her palm.
“I hope you’ll forgive my rudeness in dropping by unannounced,” Lord Morley said as he sat on the brocade settee Rose had vacated, propping one ankle on his knee and leaning back, spreading his arms wide. “I heard a lovely rumor that you, Miss Rose, are to be engaged to my dear friend Mr. Carroway.”
Rose’s face lit up, and she sat in the matching chair opposite him. “Indeed, although he has not asked my father yet.”
“Would it be possible to get a tea tray? I’m afraid I’m rather parched after the ride.”
“Of course,” Rose replied pleasantly. “I’ll ring—”
“Allow me!” Fern interjected, jumping to her feet. “I am hoping Cook will make me a chocolate, and I enjoy helping her.”
“But Fern—” Rose stared at her sister with panicked eyes, but Fern ignored her distress.
“I’ll return in a moment!” she called as she darted out the door and down the hallway toward the kitchen. The note burned a hole in her pocket and she withdrew it the moment she reached the secluded alcove outside the servants’ entrance to the kitchens.
The handwriting was unfamiliar, but she instantly recognized the prose.
I was devastated to hear Sylvester canceled the meeting. It is disgraceful he will not look at your work, and I will speak to him further about the value of your contributions. I want to see you again. I am a doctor now, but it seems hollow after what has happened to you. Will you meet me again? Please send word with Henry. He penned this letter to avoid Rose recognizing my hand.
Fern leaned against the wall and slowly collapsed onto the stone floor. She felt a thrill knowing for certain Alex had earned his degree, and a bolt of satisfaction knowing he was indignant on her behalf.
But she could not face him, not with the sting of Sylvester’s rejection fresh in her mind. Speaking to him would not give her another chance to attend Oxford, it would only make it harder to see him ask for Rose’s hand. They could never be together, not the way she wanted. Avoiding him was the only way to save her heart.
She turned the paper over and withdrew a pencil from her pockets and scrawled a brief response.
I cannot see you, it will be too difficult. I—
“Fern?” Crumpling the paper in her hand and shoving it in her pocket, Fern looked up to see her mother walking towards her, concern creasing her brow. “Darling, why are you out here?”
“Oh,” Fern blustered as she got to her feet. “I—I wanted to see if Cook would make me chocolate, since Lord Morley asked for tea, and—”
She stiffened. “You know Lord Morley?Roseknows Lord Morley?”
