“She asked for you,” Cameron said, and then cursed himself silently. He was doing a lot of that lately. He had made the comment only so Rose would stay just a moment longer.
Rose turned back toward him. “Did she?”
“Yes, she wanted you to visit her.”
“Why didn’t you summon me?”
“I didn’t think you would have the time to—”
“How could you even begin to think I would refuse her?” Rose shook her head, fire burning in her blue eyes. “I love that child.”
“It wasn’t appropriate for her to ask you to visit.”
“I can’t believe this. You actually thought I wouldn’t come.” Rose tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I would have done anything she wanted. I still will. I would never abandon her just because her big brother tossed me out like a…a…scrap of refuse!” Tears welled in her eyes.
“Rose…” Cameron’s heart lodged in his throat.
“I love that little girl. Unlike some people, I don’t profess my love only to refute it the next moment. I love her, and I will always love her. Just like I’ll always—” She kicked the dirt under her feet. “I shall return in three days, Mr. Price, when Kat is back home. If you don’t wish to see me, I suggest you make yourself scarce.” She turned and began walking back to the house, and then abruptly looked over her shoulder. “Tricia has invited us to tea, so you’d best stay in the stables a bit longer.” She flounced toward the house, picked up her box of books, and went inside.
Seeing her was exquisite torture. He wanted to be near her, even if he couldn’t touch her. He walked out of the stables and ran toward the cold stream behind the hired man’s cabin. He jumped into the cool water.
* * * *
Rose entered the cottage and found the others in the sitting room sipping their tea. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she said. “I brought these books for you, Tricia. I noticed how you devoured my Dickens novel when I was here last.”
Tricia took the box. “Oh, what treasures! Thank you, my lady!”
“You are quite welcome, dear. Some of these are duplicates from my own library. I do wish you would keep them. Then there are a few others I thought you might enjoy that you can return at your leisure.”
“How lovely!”
“Come,” Rose said. “Let’s take them to your chamber and I’ll show you the ones you can keep. Will the rest of you excuse us for a few moments?”
“Of course, my dear,” Maggie said.
Rose followed Tricia to her chamber, pulled out the five books for Tricia to keep, and opened one, showing her the ten pound note. “Don’t tell your brother,” Rose said, “but I want you to take this for Kat.”
“Oh, I couldn’t, my lady.”
“Rubbish. I want to help. He won’t let me, so I’m trusting that you will. It’s not much, but please, promise you’ll come to me if you need anything. Anything at all.”
“Why are you doing this?” Tricia asked.
“Because I love Kat,” Rose said.
“And…is Kat all you love?”
“Well, of course I care for you too, Tricia.”
Tricia smiled. “I didn’t mean me, my lady.”
Rose warmed. “I’m afraid I’m a bit confused.”
“You love Cam, don’t you?”
Was she truly so transparent? “Tricia, where did you get that idea?”
“Because the two of you… I’m not a child, my lady. I recognize two people in love when I see them.”