Rose shrugged. She had not been the object of gossip in a number of years. “I care not a whit,” she retorted.
“In that, you are unique. Though don’t dismiss Mrs. Cabot so readily. She is about the most powerful woman in our sphere.”
Indifferent, she shrugged again. “Answer my question or I will walk away, and we will never speak or dance again. Ever.”
He stopped smiling. “You have no reason to believe me, though I have never lied to you. I did not try to kiss Miss Norcross, nor do I wish to do so.”
He sounded sincere.
“Why did she break it off with you?” Rose persisted.
William looked down at the floor for a second, seemingly considering his answer.
“Apparently you and Miss Norcross have had a discussion. However, for my part, I would rather not discuss the lady out of turn.”
Rose raised an eyebrow. How gallant! However, since Maeve had spoken “out of turn,” it was William’s turn, and Rose would wait all night for an explanation.
She told him precisely that.
His nostrils flared slightly, plainly not liking being issued an ultimatum. They stared at each other for a long moment, and then, apparently, he decided to concede. “If you insist, then I will tell you.”
Rose found herself holding her breath.
“Miss Norcross is rather too simple for my tastes.”
“I beg your pardon,” she said. That was the last thing she’d expected him to say.
William cleared his throat. “She is not engaging in her discussion. Her conversation is always silly and frivolous, and her interests lie only with the fashion of the day.”
Rose nodded in agreement, while at the same time, she felt a little shocked at his harsh judgment of Maeve. Was she, Rose, any less interested in fashion? Was she not also silly and frivolous?
“And you don’t find me to besimple?”
He looked surprised by her question. “Of course not. I find you exceedingly interesting. You are able to discuss the issues of the day. You have an opinion, and you offer it readily.”
She laughed at that. “True enough. I have been known to share my views with anyone who’ll listen. Yet how would you know that?”
He smiled. “Truthfully?”
She nodded.
“I’ve watched and listened from afar.”
“Like a Pinkerton detective?” she exclaimed.
“You see,” he said. “How many women know about that agency?” He smiled. “I like that about you. In truth, I like a lot about you. Immensely. I was going to ask you to spend some time with me weeks ago, but my direct path to you was intercepted by Miss Norcross one evening. It seemed rude not to return her interest, just in case.”
“In case she was more engaging than you suspected.”
He gave a wry smile. “Well, sheisattractive. However, there is nothing else there. At least, not for me. I’m sure that she’ll be well-suited for some other man, a man who likes to be reminded that her great uncle someone or other was once the mayor of Boston for about a minute.”
Rose couldn’t help laughing. He was correct in that Maeve did enjoy tossing that fact around whenever possible.
William glanced around. “Since we’re beginning to attract attention by standing here having our tête-à-tête, shall we get back to dancing?”
She nodded and let him take her hand. She liked William Woodsom more and more, and he was not the churl she’d feared.
As he led her onto the dance floor, she realized he had not directly answered one question. “I take it that she did not break it off with you. Rather the opposite.”
