She’d run out of reasons that wouldn’t end up breaking her heart. And whatever Rose’s plans were, a fine governess and teacher she would be, stepping into the middle of someone else’s opportunity. Rose certainly had more right to Lucien than she did. At least Fiona realized that, even if no one else did.
The good-byes went as she expected. Rose wept and threatened to lock herself in her room, until Alexandra reminded her that tears would make her cheeks puffy and that the entire gala that evening was in her honor. Mrs. Delacroix, outside her daughter’s presence, didn’t even pretend to be unhappy, though she did at least wish Alexandra well at Miss Grenville’s Academy.
As for Lucien, he avoided her all evening as he went about being pleasant and charming to his guests. He did glare at her a few times, and then managed to vanish before she could demand an explanation as to why he thought this was all her fault. Fine. It would just make leaving him tomorrow that much easier.
Just as she was about to excuse herself for her third cry of the evening, though, he materialized at her elbow. “My lord,” she said, and finished directing a footman to open one of the ballroom windows before people began fainting from the heat and stuffiness.
When the servant left, Lucien moved around in front of her. “I just wanted to suggest that after you finish packing tonight, you might sleep in the yellow room. I’m having it prepared for you, as your bedchamber door seems to have met with a slight accident.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
He stuck out his hand, the gesture abrupt and completely lacking his usual grace. “I will also say good-bye now; my coach will be waiting in the morning to take you wherever you wish to go. I suggest you leave before Rose rises, as I would like to keep her weeping to a minimum.”
Alexandra nodded and shook his hand. For a moment she hoped he would pull her into his arms and carry her off, but it seemed he’d learned the lessons she’d taught him about propriety. He released her hand, bowed, and walked away. Alexandra watched him go, and wished she’d been a less proficient teacher.
Fiona watched the tense handshake and set, somber expressions of Lucien and Miss Gallant with glee. She would have preferred to have Lady Welkins present to serve as her exclamation point, but everything seemed to be going well without her. Lucien’s affection for the girl gave him a much more effective inducement to marry Rose than anything else she might have come up with, anyway.
She returned her attention to the ballroom floor as the last waltz of the evening ended. Lord Belton had managed to secure it, no doubt with considerable assistance from Rose. The viscount escorted Rose back to the side of the room where her mother had been surrounded by her circle of new cronies, and she smiled at the young man.
“I wish my old feet were up to dancing. Lord Belton, you do make me envy these young ladies.”
He laughed. “I would be pleased to escort you any time you wished.”
“You are such a gentleman, my lord. If my mourning didn’t prevent me from engaging in such frivolity, I might even dance a quadrille with you.” Fiona straightened a lock of Rose’s hair. The girl could never seem to keep from becoming disheveled. “My dear, will you fetch me a glass of punch?”
“I’d be happy to, Mrs. Delacroix,” the viscount broke in, and started to turn away.
Fiona grabbed his sleeve. “Oh, I wouldn’t have it, my lord. Rose is perfectly capable.”
Rose gave her a sour look. “I’ll be right back.”
“You’ve put on a lovely party, Mrs. Delacroix. Several times Rose has commented to me how thrilled she is.”
“Yes, anything for my darling.”
The viscount glanced toward the crowd behind him. “Ah, there’s Kilcairn. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to your nephew for a moment.”
She’d been right, and she’d caught him just in time, apparently. “My lord, are you intending to ask Lucien’s permission for Rose’s hand in marriage?”
Lord Belton looked surprised, but he smiled and nodded. “You’ve seen through me. Yes, I am. And I’ve had the devil of a time tracking him down this week.”
Fiona sent a concerned glance in Lucien’s direction, but he was well out of earshot. “In that case—my lord, he asked me not to say anything, but my sincere regard for you compels me to break my silence.”
The viscount’s brow furrowed. “About what?”
“You know how Lucien is about…well, about making fools of people.”
By now he’d given her his full attention. “Yes, I do.”
“Well—oh, dear, perhaps I shouldn’t say.”
“Please do, madame.”
“Yes, yes, you’re right. My lord, I’m afraid he’s only been teasing you about Rose. It has been his intention to marry her himself, all along.”
His handsome face paled. “You jest, madame.”
She put her hand to her heart. “I could never be so cruel. It was my late husband’s dearest wish, and after spending this time with her in London, Lucien several days ago informed me of his decision. He was going to announce the engagement tonight, with you in attendance, but he decided he wanted the evening to be Rose’s alone.”
