She sensed rather than saw Will move closer to the chair she was sitting on. She looked up at him just as he looked at her with an “I’m taking care of this” expression.
“As I recall, your daughter, Lady Camilla,” he nodded his head towards the younger blonde woman, “danced with many gentlemen that evening, and she and I passed just a handful of words.”
“So now you are casting aspersions on her character!”
“I am doing nothing of the sort. I just fear she has me confused with someone else.”
Lady Canterbury came to stand less than a couple of inches from Will and looked up at him with anger etched in every pore.
“You are not going to get away with this,” she said threateningly. “I will not allow you to ruin my daughter. You will marry her now whether you like it or not. Camilla!” She called to her, who stood and walked towards Will. She smiled in a deliberately provocative way and put a hand on his chest.
“I am sure we will make the perfect union, Mr. Browning. I have happily accepted your proposal.”
“We will return to London tonight and start preparations for your marriage,” Lady Canterbury said as she headed for the drawing room door. “We expect you to follow. Come along, Camilla.”
With that, both women sailed out of the room, with Jennings walking quickly after them.
Will was looking at the door as she watched him run a hand through his hair. Rose felt as if everything in her chest had gone solid. She didn’t know if she would be able to speak, but she tried.
“Lady Canterbury seemed very certain,” she said.
“I danced with her daughter once because I was forced to.” Will span towards Rose.
“So you were at the dance where she said the marriage proposal took place?” The leaden feeling in Rose’s body was spreading.
“There was no proposal,” Will said forcefully. “I hardly spoke to the girl.”
“You obviously said enough to give her the wrong impression.”
Will began pacing up and down the drawing room carpet.
“I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I know categorically it did not include the word marriage. Why would I want to marry anybody like that?”
“I don’t think I am the right person to ask about suitable marriage partners,” Rose said wryly.
Will stopped pacing and went down on one knee at her feet. He took both her hands in his.
“Rose, you have to believe me when I say there is nothing between the younger Lady Canterbury and me.”
The expression in his eyes was heartfelt.
But you were at the dance.While I was sitting here yearning for you, you were cavorting at dances in London, with other women.
“I have to go to London,” he said suddenly.
“Now?” Rose asked.
“There is not a moment to lose. If that woman posts a notice in any of the society magazines, I will face a dreadful battle to extricate myself.”
“But it is so late. Stay the night at least and go in the morning.”
“It is too important.”
Will stood up and then pulled her up with him. He held her by the shoulders.
“I will sort this,” he promised her, and then he leaned forward and kissed her hard. She was not expecting it, but before she could even protest, if she wanted to, he had let go of her and was setting her away from him. He stared at her as if there were a million things he wanted to say, then whirled on his heel and walked out of the room.
Rose stood where he had left her, not sure what she was feeling. Shock, worry, fear, hurt. She was a riot of jumbled emotions as she made her way up the stairs to her bedchamber. She had so longed to see him, and now he was gone again. She took off her clothes by herself, avoiding any small talk with Anna, and climbed into bed. She imagined he might well have tried to climb in with her tonight. Would she have possessed the ability to deny him?