Rose in Bloom (5 page)

“Thank you for playing for me, my lady. I’ll not ever forget it.” He stood. “I’ll see myself out.”

Rose sighed. What a wonderful afternoon, but the next time they had met, things had reverted to their normal stiffness and formality. Until the night of the wedding ball, Rose had no idea that Cameron harbored such intense feelings for her. If only she were a commoner, or he a member of the peerage…

“Good afternoon, my lady.”

Rose nearly jumped up when the object of her daydream stood before her, leading a brown-and-white stallion.

“Mr. Price.”

“I hope I didn’t startle you.”

“No, not at all. I was just…letting my horse rest and drink a bit.”

“You’re quite a way off from the main house.”

“Yes, I guess I am. I was so enjoying my ride that I lost track of where I was going. I hope I can find my way back.”

“It’s not difficult. I can show you.”

“That would be very k-kind of you.”
For goodness’ sake, stop stammering.
Rose walked over to admire Cameron’s horse. “This is a beautiful stallion, Mr. Price. What is his name?

“Apollo.”

“He is very good quality, from what I can see.” Rose ran her hands over Apollo’s flanks. “I know a little about judging horseflesh.”

“You’re no doubt wondering how a man of my limited means could afford such a fine animal,” Cameron said sardonically.

“No, of course not.” Rose warmed, willing her voice not to crack. “Why do you always assume…? Oh, never mind.”

“The explanation is simple, actually.”

“I’m not interested in any explanations, Mr. Price.”

“He belonged to my father,” Cameron continued. “His mare gave birth to Apollo right before my father died. I decided to keep him and train him.”

“He must have excellent bloodlines.”

“I doubt it, my lady. Our old mare was nothing special.”

“Well, he’s a beautiful horse.”

“Thank you. What is your mare’s name?”

“Begonia. She’s Lily’s. My horses are in Hampshire.”

“When are you returning to Hampshire?”

“I’m not,” Rose replied, her heart thundering. “At least not until the end of summer.”

Cameron stroked Apollo’s mane. “My lady…”

“Yes?”

“I would like to apologize for—”

“No,” Rose interrupted. “You don’t need to apologize for anything. It was my fault. I just…well, I just shouldn’t have put myself in such a position.”

Cameron snorted. “What position? Being compromised by a mere tenant?”

“Here we go again.” Rose sighed. “Why do you make such a fuss about our respective stations?”

“Because our stations are a fact of life.”

“Nonsense.” Rose mounted Begonia and secured her riding habit. “If you’ll show me the way back now, I would be obliged.”

Cameron mounted and maneuvered Apollo so that he and Rose were next to each other. “Whether you think it was my fault or not, I want you to know that I regret…what I said to you as you left.”

“It’s no matter.” Rose turned her face away from his.

Cameron reached for her cheek and turned her to face him. “I regret a lot of things about my life, Rose,” he said, “but none so much as hurting you.”

His silver eyes penetrated her soul. “It was my fault, Cameron.”

“No.”

“Yes. I…didn’t know that I would cause you…
pain
if we stopped.”

Cameron chuckled. “I’ve been in worse pain, sweetheart. Although at the time it seemed insurmountable.”

Rose’s skin tingled at the endearment. “If we had it to do over again, I would…”

“You would have left before we danced?”

“No.” She looked away.

“Then what?”

“I would…” Her heartbeat was rapid and her skin cold and prickly. She spoke quickly. “I wouldn’t have stopped you.”

He caressed her cheek and stared into her eyes.

“I got frightened. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry.” He lowered his face to hers and kissed her lips lightly. “I’ll show you how to get back now.”

“No.” Rose touched Cameron’s jaw. He hadn’t shaved, and his black night beard was rough under her touch. She pulled his head to her and kissed him, parting her lips and exploring him with her tongue. She sucked on his luscious lower lip, nuzzled the top one. Kissing him was pure heaven. As their tongues coupled and twirled together, she moaned softly.

“Come here,” Cameron said.

He lifted her from her sidesaddle and onto his saddle, facing him. Sitting astride, her riding habit was rumpled about her waist and rode up her legs. She was snug against Cameron’s hard chest, as little room existed on his saddle for two people. He embraced her and sought her mouth again, kissing her with a passion that she had only known in her fantasies. He covered her face with tiny moist kisses.

“Oh, Rose,” he said, “I dream of nothing but you.”

“Yes, I know,” she whispered, “because all I dream about is you.”

Cameron’s heart thumped against her chest. Her breasts swelled and her nipples tightened.

He kissed her ear and her neck, raking his hands through her tumbling locks that had come loose during her ride. “I can barely breathe when I’m with you. You make my heart race.” He nibbled on her neck. “If only I could have you.”

She shuddered against him. “You can, Cameron.”

He pulled away from her. “What about Xavier, Rose?”

“I…I don’t want him the way I want you.”

“But he’s a perfect match for you.”

“Yes, and I’m…fond of him, but I don’t desire him.”

“You desire me?”

“Yes, oh yes.” Rose sighed, kissing his face and neck, lacing her fingers through his coal black hair. “I…think about you all the time. I have since we first met.” She giggled. “Oh, this is embarrassing.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. I think about you all the time too.” He caressed her back in soothing circles. “But we can never be together.”

“Why not?”

“You know why, sweetheart.”

“Yes.” Rose sighed. “I guess I do.” Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. “Please, Cameron, won’t you kiss me again?”

“It’s better if we stop.”

Rose sighed and swung her leg over Apollo’s saddle, dismounting expertly. She mounted Begonia as a tear fell down her cheek.

“Don’t cry, sweet.”

“I…I can’t help it. I want to be with you. It’s tearing me up inside.”

“I know,” he groaned. “But it would hurt more to make love and then leave each other, wouldn’t it?”

“If it’s going to hurt anyway, what does it matter?”

Before Cameron could answer, another rider galloped toward them. It was Cameron’s younger sister Patricia.

“Cam!” she shouted. “Thank God I found you. You need to come home quickly!”

“What is it Tricia?” he asked.

Patricia caught her breath. “It’s Kat. She’s taken sick.”

“What in bloody hell happened?” Cameron demanded.

“She came in from playing and wouldn’t take any lunch. She’s burning up, Cam. She’s asking for you.”

“I’m sorry,” he said to Rose. “I have to go.”

“I’ll come with you,” Rose said.

“There’s no need.”

“Don’t be silly. I love that little girl.” Cameron’s seven-year-old sister, Katrina, had stolen Rose’s heart the day they met.

“Do come on then, both of you.” Tricia urged her horse into a gallop.

When they reached the Prices’ cottage, a large woman met them before they came near the house. “Doc is with her now, Cam. She’s asking for you.”

“Go ahead, Cameron,” Rose said. “I’ll take care of your horse.”

Cameron’s steely eyes were sunken and worried. “That’s kind of you, but I couldn’t impose on you. It’s not gentlemanly.”

“It was my idea,” Rose said. “Now go on.” Rose shooed Cameron and Tricia into the house. “Go see Kat. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of three horses.”

* * * *

“She’s nice, Cam,” Tricia said as Rose led the horses to the stable.

“Nice, yes,” Cameron replied.

Mrs. Price was sitting in a chair in Katrina’s room while Dr. Hinkman examined her.

“Mum, what happened?” Cameron asked.

“She came in burning up,” Mrs. Price said.

“Cam?” Kat’s little voice croaked.

“Yes, Kitty-Kat, I’m here.”

“I don’t feel too good.”

“I know. The doctor is going to help you.”

Rose came in and stood in the doorway of Kat’s room.

“Lady Rose,” Mrs. Price said. “What are you doing here?”

“I met Mr. Price while I was out riding. A nice young man who works here, said his name was Arnold, offered to see to the horses so I could come see how Kat is doing. How is she?”

“We don’t know yet,” Mrs. Price said.

“I don’t like the look of it.” The doctor shook his head. “It could be scarlet fever.”

“No!” Mrs. Price clasped her hands to her face.

“We won’t know for sure until the rash comes,” Hinkman said, “but in the meantime, I’m going to have to quarantine all of you.”

“Quarantine? Why?” Mrs. Price asked.

“Because you’ve all been exposed. We don’t want an epidemic on our hands.”

“I should get back to Laurel Ridge,” Rose said.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” the doctor said, “but you’ll have to stay here. I can’t take the chance that you’ll expose everyone on the estate to scarlet fever.”

“Oh my…”

“Rose, I’m sorry,” Cameron said, ignoring the stern look from his mother upon using Rose’s Christian name. “If I’d known, I would have stayed away from you today.”

“Goodness, it’s certainly not your fault. But where will I stay? I have no provisions, or anything.”

“You can stay in the hired man’s cabin out back. Arnold lives a mile away and walks here every day, so he doesn’t use it,” Mrs. Price said.

Rose? In a hired man’s cabin? Cameron shook his head. “That wouldn’t be appropriate, Mum.”

“I’m sorry, Cam. It’s all we have.”

“Don’t be silly, Mr. Price. I’ll be fine. I’ll just…send a message to the house and have a servant bring me my personals.”

Rose’s face paled. Cameron wasn’t sure if it was because she was worried about Kat, or worried about getting scarlet fever herself, or because she would have to live as a peasant.

“Fine. I’ll show her to the cabin,” he said.

Cameron led Rose to the back door of the cottage. “I’m really sorry about this, Rose.”

“It’s not your fault, Cameron. I just hope Kat will be all right.”

“Yes, me too.”

“She’s strong,” Rose said. “My brother had scarlet fever when he was not but seven. He made a full recovery.”

“Thank God I have the commission money from the duke.” Cameron wiped sweat from his brow. “She’ll have the best medicine. I’m sending a message to Bath to that doctor the duke uses. What is his name?”

“Blake. Dr. Michael Blake.”

“Yes, I want him to see Kat.”

“I’m sure he’ll be happy to come out.”

Cameron warmed with embarrassment. How could he expect Rose to stay in such a tiny cabin? “This is it,” he said, opening the door. It was sparse, but clean. A double bed stood on two wooden planks, and a slipper tub graced the corner. A small fireplace, two chairs, and a tiny table completed the decor. The windows were curtained with threadbare cotton. “Hardly fit for a daughter of an earl, is it?”

Rose smiled and touched his cheek. “I’ll be fine.” She rose on her toes to kiss his lips.

“This is why you and I can’t be together, Rose. You shouldn’t have to live like this. You deserve better.”

“I’ll decide what I deserve. In the meantime, you’re stuck with me.” She kissed him again. “I…I would like for you to come to me tonight.”

Cameron held her close, his cock pulsating. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m very sure. Perhaps this was fate.” She shook her head. “Then again, I don’t like to think that Kat got sick just so you and I could be together.”

“No, I don’t want to think that.”

“Let’s just take it as it comes,” Rose said. “I’ll help you and your mother care for Kat. I know how to treat a fever. And you and I will spend some time together. Now, I have need of some parchment and a quill. I’ll send a note to Aunt Iris telling her what has happened and ask her to send me some personals.”

* * * *

A servant arrived with Rose’s personals and a note from Auntie Iris. As bid by Rose, the servant placed the items one hundred feet from the house, and Cameron fetched them after he had left and brought them to Rose in the cabin. When she was settled, she went to the main house and played the old upright pianoforte in the sitting room. It was a bit out of tune, and the sound twanged, as though the instrument belonged in a tavern, but Rose hoped the music might soothe Kat. Later, Rose sat with the little girl while Mrs. Price fixed a hearty beef stew for dinner. She cooled Kat with a cloth dipped in ice water and held her wrapped in blankets when she trembled with fever chills. Mrs. Price came in and relieved her, telling her to go to the table for supper.