“Of course Rose will come with us,” Grandmama told Bridget.“She will need dresses too.”
“See?”Bridget said, directing her comment across the table and snagging both Johanna and Rose’s attention.“Rose, you have to come with us.”
“I have what I need,” Rose said, frowning.“It is not as though I will be appearing in public.”
“Why not?”
“Because Johanna does not need a companion anymore now that she has Lady Stark to chaperone her.”
“But how else are you going to find a husband?”Bridget asked exasperatedly.
“Who says I want one?”Rose snorted.“I certainly am not going to find one among theton.”
“Why not?”
A sudden silence fell over the group at Bridget’s question.Not that many people had been talking before; they’d all become too distracted by Bridget and Rose’s back and forth, but the quiet was somehow more fraught than normal.Matthew glanced at Micah, who was suddenly very interested in his dinner plate.Grandmama had averted her gaze, studying one of the paintings on the wall.
Rose glanced at him, then at his grandmother.Though her dusky skin did not show it, he got the feeling she was blushing.Beside her, Johanna put her fingers on the back of Rose’s hand and leaned forward.
“Bridget, if Rose does not want to marry, then she does not have to.”
“I just do not understand why she would not want to.”Bridget pouted, slumping in her seat.
Matthew could explain it to her, but how illegitimate children came to be was not really proper mealtime discussion.His grandmother would likely have a conniption.Though with her connection to him, Rose might very well be able to attract a gentleman if she so wished.A younger son, perhaps.Maybe even a baron or viscount looking for a connection to a duke.She seemed a perfectly lovely young woman, so as far as he was concerned, she should have what she wanted.
The way she cared for her cousins and her aunt was especially admirable.
“Not everyone wants to be married,” Johanna said firmly.“However, regardless of Rose’s marital ambitions, I do agree that some new dresses for Rose are in order.”
With that, the subject was changed, and Bridget, Johanna, and Grandmama set about leaning on Rose to update her wardrobe.Their combined efforts had her agreeing, with exasperation, not long after.
Supper concluded, followed by a few quiet moments where he and Micah were able to sit in blessed silence before joining the ladies in the drawing room.Matthew took the opportunity to offer to walk Johanna to her room—after a quick coin flip to reassure himself it was the correct decision.While her room was not that far from her family’s, they were in a separate hallway, as her room had been placed closest to his grandmother’s, while her family was too large to be all hosted in the same hall.
It was not a trip taken entirely alone, since they were still nearby, and Matthew was relieved to leave the younger siblings and Rose to their rooms while he escorted Johanna further on.
“How is your mother?”he asked, feeling rather awkward.He’d wanted a few moments alone with his bride, yet now that he had them, he was not certain how to progress.His hand brushed over his pocket.
“Ah… well, I think.”Johanna’s face turned away so he could not see her expression for a moment, before she faced forward again.“Rose seems pleased with Dr.Syme.Rest and a slow reintroduction to normal food was his recommendation.”
“I am very glad to hear that.I am sorry she could not join us for dinner tonight.”
“Yes, well.”Johanna’s face tilted away from him again.“Hopefully one day soon.”
There was something in her voice, but he was not certain what it meant.
They came to a halt in front of her door.She was still looking away from him.Matthew quietly slid his coin from his pocket and gave it a quick flip, happily getting the answer he wanted.
“Johanna.”
Her head jerked up, and her wide violet eyes looked up at him, meeting his gaze.There was… fear?Anxiousness?Worry?
Matthew did his best to smile reassuringly, even as his heart was beating a little faster in his chest.While he’d enjoyed playing the part of a charming rake, a cheerful lover who never overstayed his welcome, he’d never had to seduce a virgin before.Kissing debutantes had never been his speed.
But his bride-to-be was both.
“I would like to kiss you.”
Her pink tongue flicked out across her lower lip as her eyes widened even more, which he had not realized was possible.
