“Your brother is not in love with me.” The words cut at her insides.
“Of course he is. Any fool could see it.”
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken.”
“I don’t think so. He lights up whenever you’re around.”
“I’m around now. Where is he?”
“Well…I don’t know. Perhaps he went on an errand.”
“Without telling you?”
“He could have.”
“I highly doubt that, Tricia.”
“Oh, my lady, please tell me. Do you love Cam?”
“My feelings for Mr. Price are irrelevant. We are from two different worlds.”
“Please. He’s been so unhappy. Tell him that you love him.”
“Oh, Tricia,” Rose took the younger girl’s hand. “If you were older, we might have been best friends.” She sighed. “I’m going to tell you something in confidence. You mustn’t tell Cameron that I told you. Do you promise?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I do love him, and he knows, Tricia. But he doesn’t want me. He sent me away.”
Tricia’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe that, my lady.”
“It’s the truth. I…would have done anything to be with him.”
Tricia shook her head. “What a nincompoop.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Not you, my lady. I love my brother dearly, but if he isn’t the stupidest man in the world!”
Rose couldn’t help chuckling. “He can’t help it if he doesn’t love me.”
“Oh, but he does. That is what’s stupid about the whole thing. I’ll have to do something about this.”
“Tricia, you gave me your word,” Rose said.
“Of course, I would never break your confidence, my lady. I’ll think of something. Will you come back to see us soon?”
“Yes, I’m coming back in three days to see Kat.”
“Perfect,” Tricia said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Just perfect.”
She looked so happy. Rose didn’t have the heart to tell her not to bother. Tricia would know the truth soon enough.
Cameron didn’t love Rose, and he never had.
Chapter Nine
Toward the end of the week, Rose gathered a bag of sugar candy and some more books together and summoned Lily’s carriage to take her to the Price cottage for her visit with Kat. She was secretly glad that Ally and Sophie were busy with Aunt