Now she knows how Rosalie must have felt on the boat. You can’t get a rise out of this man for anything.
Nothing else for it. Catherine blows out a breath and trips over absolutely nothing, careening forward so that Mr.Dean and Mother have to catch her.
“I’m so sorry,” she says. People bump into them as they get her back to standing, now fully stopped in the middle of the path.
“Young ladies do seem to be particularly clumsy,” Mr.Dean mutters, holding her arm steady. “Are you all right? Do you need to sit?”
“No, no, I’m fine,” Catherine says quickly.
“MissPine, are you quite all right?” Rosalie calls, dragging Christopher up to them.
“I’m really just fine,” Catherine repeats, turning to smile at her. Thank Christ. “Just overwhelmed by the beauty of the music and the architecture. The hotel really is striking, isn’t it?”
“I was thinking the very same thing,” Christopher says, tipping his cap to her and her mother. “Mrs.Pine, I hope you’re very well.”
“I am,” Mother says tightly. “Though rather tired.”
“I hope you weren’t up all night with chills, MissPine,” Rosalie says quickly. “I am so dreadfully sorry that my actions put you in danger. And I’m so sorry, Mrs.Pine, about the damage done to her dress. Mother and I would be happy to replace it.”
Mother looks like she’s swallowed something sour, but forces a smile. “That is kind, but deeply unnecessary, thank you.”
Rosalie looks back at Catherine. “And you’re sure you’re all right?”
“Just fine,” Catherine assures her, trying not to laugh. She can’t tell how much of Rosalie’s words are true or just to keep them stalled there. “In warmer weather it might actually have been fun.”
Mr.Dean scoffs and Catherine suddenly remembers he’s still standing next to her. Still holding her arm at that.
“It was a ridiculous and dangerous stunt no matter the weather.”
“I’m really fine—”
Mr. Dean squeezes her arm. “You might strain to considerthe effect your lapses in judgment can have on others more often, Lady Rosalie. To think of anyone other than yourself and your frivolous whims. Miss Pine did you an act of service, showing only her generosity and magnanimous personality.”
So there is some kind of fire, some kind of personality, hiding beneath all of those manners and blithe disregard. And it’sugly.
She can’t let Mr.Dean talk to Rosalie that way. Even if they weren’t—whatever they are—she’d want to defend her. No one talks to her friends like that. And certainly no one gets to talk to her lover like that.
“While I... appreciate your fervor, Mr.Dean, I don’t hold any ill will toward Lady Rosalie and think she showed great consideration in making sure I got out of the river first.”
Rosalie’s wide eyes slowly find Catherine’s and her lips quirk upward, while Christopher just grins over at her.
“You are too polite,” Mr.Dean says with a sigh. “But if you can kindly forgive such foolishness, who am I to argue? Lady Rosalie, I apologize for my harsh words.”
His mood swings could give a person a sore neck.
“Thank you, Mr.Dean,” Rosalie says, her voice a bit high.
“That said, I must take my leave. If I may escort you and your mother home?” Mr.Dean asks.
“Oh, well,” Catherine starts.
“You may,” Mother says over her. “Mr.Tisend, Lady Rosalie, we have a dinner to attend. Good day.”
Catherine looks worriedly at Rosalie, who stares back, equally at sea while Mr.Dean and Mother turn Catherine around. This wasn’t the plan. She wasn’t supposed to—what, impress him by having decency? She didn’tdoanything!
She glances over her shoulder as Mr. Dean escorts them away, doubt creeping up her spine. Rosalie and Christopherwatch them go, Christopher’s arm coming up around Rosalie’s shoulders.
Who knew basic human decency was Mr.Dean’s seemingly only soft spot? Especially as she’s no longer sure he’s all that decent himself. Who says such things in a public park? And then changes their opinion in just a moment? Does he have no conviction?
