Her Mr. Tate.
Struggling against the rising emotions that flooded her heart, threatening to make it burst, Rosanna nodded, her voice quiet as she whispered, “I would love that.”
Chapter 34
Two Months Later
“My dear! My dear!”
The library door burst open, crashing into the wall opposite as Mama swept into the room, the lace at her mobcap bobbing as she rushed to Rosanna’s seat and forced her to her feet, casting aside the book her daughter was reading. Then Mama’s arms wrapped around her, and the lady fairly trembled with excitement, bringing to mind Miss Poole’s lapdog, who often grew so agitated over any alteration in the world around him that he lost all control and made little messes everywhere he went.
“Such wonderful news, my dear, dear girl,” said Mama, and though the lady still hadn’t said a word concerning what that news was, Rosanna was no fool. There was only one reason Mama would be ready to expire from delight.
“Mr. Tate is speaking with your father at this very moment,” she said, finally drawing back, though not relinquishing her hold on Rosanna’s arms. Mama’s eyes shone, and she released Rosanna long enough to dab away those tears.
“Here,” she said, dragging Rosanna away from her previous seat and to the sofa. Then, fairly shoving her daughter down, Mama fluffed her skirts, smoothed her curls, and fluttered about as she readied the sacrificial maiden. Sunlight streamed through the window to her right, and Rosanna knew from experience that the glow caught her blonde hair in a very becoming manner.
Hiding a smile, Rosanna let her mother have her way. That was the entire point of this charade, after all.
Yesterday had been only for her and Malcolm; those sweet declarations and kisses were a treasure she would carry for the rest of her life, untainted by the ridiculousness that would undoubtedly unfold today. Mama and Papa would find some way to twist this lovely moment into a farce, so they didn’t need to know that the question had already been asked, the answer given, and though no one knew, Malcolm and Rosanna were well and truly engaged. One tender moment that was all theirs, pure and unsullied.
And thank heavens for that: this afternoon was already unfolding as miserably as she had feared.
Rosanna slanted a look at her mother and wondered if the lady had any recollection that this was precisely what she had done when Mr. Courtney had arrived at Papa’s study door to ask (or demand, rather) Rosanna’s hand in marriage. It seemed strange that Mama would employ the same tactics, given how that proposal had fared and how desperate her parents were for this one to come to pass.
“You will be a good girl this time, won’t you?” asked Mama, the brightness of her tone fading as she took Rosanna by the chin to force her gaze to meet her own. “Don’t be selfish, my dear.”
Rosanna fought to keep her breathing steady as she hid away the spark of anger that flared in her chest. Refusing to say a word to that, she remained silent, and Mama nodded and smiled, patting her daughter on the cheek.
“My good girl,” she said before turning away in a flurry of petticoats, leaving Rosanna alone once more. Drawing in a deep breath, she forced the ugly feelings from her heart. They had no place here.
Most changes came in increments, slowly shifting and altering one’s life until the world was entirely different from before. Eventually, some grand moment shed light on the alterations, making one aware of how much had changed. And at this moment, Rosanna was struck by just such a revelation.
She had always despised the library. Though Prudence had often found peace away from the chaos and noise, Rosanna had avoided the solitude. Silence had not been a happy thing, and she had never understood why Prudence sought it out. Then, when her world had shifted and set her on a new course, Rosanna had longed for that peace but had been unable to find it.
But now, sitting on the sofa with only the distant sound of movement to intrude upon the quiet, she finally knew what it felt like. And it was little wonder that Prudence enjoyed it so very much.
Breathing deeply, Rosanna felt the prickle of tears forming as her heart filled with such peace. Prudence’s frustrations came from outside herself, but at that moment, Rosanna realized how much of her troubles came from within. For all that she was a beauty and had confidence aplenty, Rosanna Leigh had never been comfortable with herself.
And she didn’t know whether to cry over that sad realization or revel in the fact that that strength was now woven through her heart and soul. When had that happened? Rosanna couldn’t begin to answer that, for it had crept upon her over the past fourteen months, but it was easy to see the difference when she found herself once more in the same position that had spurred so much of that change.
Fourteen months ago, she had sat here in a state of agitation as Mr. Courtney’s wretched proposal threw her life into chaos. Now, peace wrapped around Rosanna’s heart, filling her with certainty and joy as she sat and awaited her husband-to-be’s arrival.
*
“Go on!” Though Mrs. Leigh’s whisper was intended not to be overheard, the urgency in her voice when Malcolm’s hand paused on the library door’s handle gave her away. Straightening, he longed to turn and stare at the lady, who was hiding behind a corner and watching him as Mr. Leigh nudged him forward.
Malcolm opened it and was brushed aside as Rosanna’s father swept in and then hooked Malcolm around the shoulders, dragging him forward and setting him in front of his love.
“Here is your Mr. Tate. He wishes to speak to you, and you will hear him out,” said Mr. Leigh, his voice holding more than a hint of warning.
Sitting on the sofa, bathed in light, Rosanna looked like a queen holding court, but when she met his eye, she arched a brow, and he could fairly hear her voice in his head.
I told you so, it whispered.
Then Mr. Leigh swept out, shutting the door behind them and leaving the pair blessedly alone. The moment the latch clicked, Rosanna leaned forward with a sigh.
“I told you so,” she whispered with the exact inflection he’d imagined.
