“Thank you. As you know, for years she was deemed lost, but now she has returned to me.” The crowd cheered louder as he lifted her hand to his lips. He straightened and calmed them with an upraised hand. “Feel free to introduce yourself to Rose as I instruct the musicians.”

  Kenelm hadn’t seen anyone with instruments enter the garden, but suddenly they were there.

  A gentleman standing close by murmured to his companion, “If we’re lucky maybe Rose will sing for us.”

  Those in attendance, especially of the male persuasion, clamored for her to show her talent. The few women in attendance appeared perturbed with pursed lips and clenched fists. He wasn’t sure how or why they’d even been invited. Walsh’s goal for the celebration was clear.

  Kenelm began to weave his way toward Rose, but he was too late. A gent came from the side and whisked her to the middle of the yard. Couples formed and a dance began. There was no one for him to pair up with. He was forced to watch his wife in the arms of another. He wouldn’t let that last long.

  ****

  Rose was flung from suitor to suitor until her head spun. So far, she’d evaded Evander, but it hadn’t been easy.

  The dance ended. Quickly she agreed to sing. It was the only way to escape those pursing her.

  She picked a certain tune and belted it out. With any luck she’d harm her voice and be forced to remain silent for the rest of the evening.

  When she finished the crowd erupted. Heat filled her face at the praise, and she sought the eyes of the one person she cared about most.

  Kenelm clapped and used his fingers to whistle, despite the looks it forced his way. She left the stage with one goal in mind—reaching her husband. Men stepped in her path, attempting to woo her with words of praise. She thanked them and moved on. Nothing and no one would deter her from her goal.

  He held out his hands and she clutched them as if a lifeline.

  “Marvelous, dear, as always.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.” More warmth hit her skin.

  He leaned closer, his hot breath striking her cheek. “You knew it was my favorite song.”

  She tilted her mouth. “Duplay might have mentioned it.”

  “Well I appreciate your attention to detail.” He hooked a strand of hair behind her ear, and she moved into his touch.

  She bit the side of her lip and his eyes darkened. She knew what he was thinking, or at least remembering. Heat pooled at her center. Why wasn’t she holed up with her husband enjoying their honeymoon?

  “The dress is lovely.”

  “Oh, thank you.”

  “I think the other gentlemen enjoy it also. Especially the scooped neckline.”

  She’d placed lace there to cover her décolletage, but Father had pulled it out and thrown it away from her as he’d escorted her to the gardens, further proving her suspicions that Father had an ulterior motive for the celebration. He was desperate for a business deal. Father and desperation was a dangerous combination.

  “I believe you are about to be taken from me again. For the record, I don’t like it.”

  She sighed. “Nor do I. I need to corner Father and tell him about us. I would have done so already, but he seems unable to stop talking!”

  Kenelm nodded even as Father clutched her hand and drew her back to the celebration. She needed to speak with him as soon as possible. The only arms she wanted wrapped around her were her husband’s. And she was tired of waiting.

  Chapter Six: Confrontation

  Rose was being flung around by various partners, and once again, Kenelm was condemned to watch.

  “Brooding, dear fellow? I wouldn’t fret overly much. I hear tell that Lord Warwick has the young miss all wrapped up in a neat package. We should have known Walsh was up to his old tricks. Who finds their daughter and immediately plans to marry her away?”

  “A desperate man.” The words fell from his lips.

  “What did you say?”

  He offered a casual shrug. “Nothing.”

  The gentleman moved away as Kenelm stopped conversing. He wasn’t a great conversationalist. He wanted his wife and nothing more.

  A sprig of ivy with a white bloom landed on his arm. He pinched it between his fingers as he approached the dancing couples. Rose passed by. He reached out, grabbed her hand, and pulled her into his arms. He put the green sprig behind her ear.

  She tiptoed, her lips parted inches from his, bathing his face with her hot, moist breath. He longed for her kiss. He could almost feel the pressure of her lips.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Kenelm almost groaned. Rose rushed behind him, laying her hand upon his back.

  Evander would intrude upon their private moment.

  Kenelm sighed. “Evander, perhaps we should take this discussion elsewhere.

  “Why were you touching Miss Walsh?”

  “I’ll be happy to discuss this with you… in private.” He clenched his jaw. His patience was fleeing.

  “What did you do to her?”

  “Evander, this is hardly the place.” Or maybe it was the place. Everyone needed to know so they would stop trying to woo Rose.

  The fist came out of nowhere. The strike grazed his cheekbone and he tripped, taking a step back. Rose anticipated his stumble and moved out of the way, so at least she remained unharmed.

  Evander reached for Rose. She was stiff with her hands fisted at her sides. “Why did you do that?”

  “Rose, he has clearly affected your mind.”

  “He has done nothing of the sort.”

  Evander clutched her arm and Kenelm’s ire increased.

  “Of course he has. Remember when he pursued you before, when I showed up you were pleased to be distracted. You looked so bored.”

  Kenelm held his temper even as he wondered if what Evander said was true.

  “Evander Hudson, I would prefer to keep my thoughts private but since you enjoy spreading rumors, let’s at least say it correctly.”

  “I am.” He crossed his arms and leaned backward. Haughty bugger, he was.

  “Evander, sometimes you vastly overestimate your appeal.”

  Kenelm reared his head back and roared with laughter.

  The next punch sent him reeling. He landed on his backside, jarring his teeth. Rose squatted next to him and placed a handkerchief to his bleeding nose.

  “Are you all right, dear?”

  “I fear only my pride is truly wounded.” He stood, continuing to hold her cloth. He could easily take Evander down a peg or two with a brawl, but he had a feeling the information that Evander was about to hear would be more than enough.

  “Rose, umm, Miss Walsh, I don’t understand what’s happened to you.”

  She faced Evander and thrust back her shoulders. “If you must know my affections for you ended many years ago.”

  The women in attendance gasped.

  “You don’t mean that.”

  “You treated me with the same amount of deference and affection as you did the maid!” Her voice had escalated.

  “I never meant—”

  He reached out, but Kenelm had risen and now stepped between them. “Evander, I think enough has been said.”

  “You did this to her! You spread lies about me because you’ve loved Rose since the beginning but you knew she would never care for you. I see now that her affections were fickle and worthless.”

  Kenelm punched Evander—hard. His fist kept punishing his ex-friend until Rose touched his arm.

  He stopped, his breathing heavy.

  Evander scrambled backward. “I’ll have you thrown in the gaol for this!”

  Rose fell to her knees and whispered in Evander’s ear. His eyes widened as he focused his glare on Kenelm. He had a feeling he knew what Rose had shared. She’d shared the truth of their relationship. It was about time one of them was able to say something.

  ****

  The party disbanded while she was in the library with Evander and Kenelm. Not that her feelings were hurt. She was glad. Being paraded around before a group of men looking for a wife had not been on her priority list. Of course, Father wouldn’t be thrilled by the result.

  Evander stretched out on the leather sofa with his arm thrown across his eyes.

  “You married him?”

  Rose squeezed Kenelm’s hand. “I did, and I’ve never been happier.”

  Evander rose. “You didn’t wait for me?”

  She sighed. “I did tell you when I left India that your life wasn’t for me.”

  “I thought you meant living in India.” He placed his elbow on his thighs and cradled his head. “Did you mean it when you said you didn’t think I loved you?”

  “You must realize my perspective.”

  Kenelm was seated in a padded armchair, and she perched on the arm. Being close to him was the only thing helping her make it through this process.

  Evander sat straighter. “And what was that?”

  Doubts nagged at the back of her mind. Evander had traveled to the New World in search of her. He’d tried to decipher the painting’s meaning. He’d come immediately once he’d realized she’d been found. Then she knew. It was never something he’d done.

  She moved until she was at his side. She clutched his hand and forced him to look at her. She wanted to be very clear because she wasn’t saying these words again. “I don’t believe this was your fault.”

  He cocked his brow.

  She sighed. “I should have been truthful with you, with Kenelm, with myself long ago. I-I cared for Kenelm, but,” she licked her lips, “you showed up that day in the garden, kissed the back of my hand and flirted with me, and Kenelm just disappeared. I assumed he was done with me, and you seemed enamored, so I convinced myself that I loved you.” She lowered her head to hide her shame.

  Evander lifted his head to the ceiling and drew in a shaky breath. “I haven’t been completely honest either.”

  Rose noted Kenelm’s sudden movement as if he was suddenly paying attention.

  “In America, I’ve been there a long time. I fell in love.” He faced her. “I’m sorry.”

  She patted his hand. “Don’t be. I’m happy, and I would never deny you the same amount of happiness.”

  Kenelm hadn’t spoken a word, but he was smiling. Even if the celebration hadn’t gone as intended, at least everything was resolved now. She didn’t see how it could get any better.

  Chapter Seven: Leave!

  Rose faced the library door as it was thrust open. Father’s face was beet red and his chest puffed in and out in a rapid pattern.

  “No, no, no! This is not the way it is supposed to be!” He paced the room, his eyes wide, his arms flailing.

  “Father, I—”

  He rounded, poking a finger in her ribs and sending her reeling backward. Kenelm and Evander both flanked her, and Father retreated a step.

  “Both of you willing to protect her, huh?”

  “Of course,” they said in unison.

  “Good! Because I want her out of here.”

  “What?” Her throat threatened to close on her withheld tears.

  “You heard me. You’ve been nothing but trouble from the day you were born. Your mother promised to care for you, then she died. I tried to marry you to wealth so I’d have a business partner, or at least an advantage, but you wanted to marry for love.” He sneered. “The best thing you’ve ever done for me was get lost at sea!”

  Sobs shook her, tears fell from her eyes, but her father didn’t seem to care.

  “I only asked one simple thing, and you couldn’t even do that.” He spat in her face.

  Kenelm poised to strike, but Rose held him back. “Don’t. That is what he wants. He’ll use it to gain the sympathy he seeks.” She wiped the liquid from her face and ran her hands along the sides of the expensive dress.

  Father’s eyes narrowed and she rubbed harder.

  “Gentlemen, I wish to gather my belongings and depart posthaste.” She stalked from the room. She wouldn’t let Father see what he’d done to her, how he’d hurt her. She’d lived with his contempt for as long as her memory served. She hadn’t really expected now to be any different.

  With her trunk packed, she summoned Amos. He seemed saddened by her sudden departure, or maybe it was just that he’d had to haul the heavy trunks twice in one day. Either way, he was the one who deserved pity, because he was the one forced to stay at her father’s beck and call. However, Richard Walsh had always treated his servants better than her.

  “Will this be all, miss?”

  “Yes, Amos. However, Kenelm may need assistance.”

  “I shall ask.”

  They stopped at Kenelm’s door, but the room was empty. Rose listened for raised voices but heard none.

  She followed Amos out the front door. A hackney waited. Kenelm was speaking to the driver. When he saw her he walked over and grabbed her hands.

  “Are we ready?”

  “Yes.” It was the only word she could manage to utter.

  He tipped Amos, gaining a thank you and a smile, before assisting her into the conveyance. She felt more than saw her father glaring through the parted curtain in the study window. She would have given him innumerable opportunities to redeem himself, but he had pushed her away. She would just remake her life with Kenelm. At least he loved her.

  ****

  Kenelm placed his arm along the back of the bench seat and drew Rose as close to his side as possible. She hadn’t asked about Evander, which pleased him even more than what she’d revealed in the library. She had been interested in him until he’d backed away.

  However, maybe if he shared about Evander then the discussion of him could be tabled preferably for good.

  “Evander said to give you his regards.”

  She looked around. She had just noticed his absence. That boosted his confidence on multiple levels.

  “Where is he?”

  “He left to speak with business partners for his new product, and then he is setting sail for home.”

  “America?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m glad he’s happy.” She laid her hand on Kenelm’s thigh and her head on his shoulder.

  He lifted her hand to his lips. “Are you happy, Mrs. Kennaway?” After the day she’d had, it was a valid question. Making her feel wanted and loved was all he wanted in this life and he was pretty certain of how to accomplish it.

  She turned and placed her lips to his. “I am.”

  “Good. Because I have a surprise.”

  “A surprise?”

  “Yes, but it won’t be available until tomorrow. Will that suffice?”

  “If I’m with you, I can wait.”

  Chapter Eight: Eleanor

  Kenelm stretched on one side while Rose peered through the window. She’d oohed and ahhed every couple of minutes. He’d struggled to hold back his laughter until his sides ached. She was so excited by all the scenery, the rolling green hills, the sheep. Everywhere they passed, she asked if he owned it.

  “Not yet, dear.”

  “Don’t forget to tell me where it starts. It is all so beautiful.”

  They’d spent the night in London in a quaint little inn that he’d visited on many of his travels to Town. It had been too late to share his surprise after the celebration. His surprise was their temporary home. He’d thought about Odell after Richard verbally kicked them out, but the rumor of disrepair made him think of their country house on the outskirts of London. If Mother was there, he’d be able to tell of his good fortune. If not, then they would still have a place to stay to send word to her.

  The country estate consisted of several hundred acres of farmland. The parcels were rented out to farmers who shared a portion of their crops for a reduced rate. The arrangement had worked for generations.

  “Now?”

  He looked out the window. He could just make out the roofline of the house. “Yes, now.”

  She rarely blinked as they began the journey along the narrow drive. The main house had ten bedrooms. Mother had come from a prolific family, even if she’d been unable to carry on the tradition.

  Rose grabbed his forearm and covered her open mouth. “It’s amazing!”

  The building was red brick with a flat two story façade. To him it had always been nondescript, but the gardener had worked magic with the flowers and the pop of color had brought the place alive. It didn’t hurt that he was staring at Rose. She had the most gorgeous expression of awe and wonder on her face.

  “You make it that way.”

  She threw her arms around his neck. “Do we really get to live here?”

  “Absolutely.” For now at least.

  The conveyance pulled to a halt. No one knew they were coming. The driver opened the door and set out the steps. Kenelm exited first and lifted his hand to Rose. Her foot touched the ground as a squeal rang out from behind them.

  “Kenelm!”

  He spun on his heel as Mother flung herself into his open arms. She pulled back and smothered his face with kisses.

  “Mother!” He laughed.

  She fell back on her feet. “I despaired of ever seeing you again.”

  “I told you I would return.” He held her upper arms. She seemed so thin and so much older than when he’d seen her last.

  “But I feared I’d run you away. I didn’t mean to force you into the arms of a woman who didn’t love you.”

  Rose was buried behind him. Of all times for his mother to beg forgiveness for thrusting him upon Magnolia.

  “You didn’t push me away. Remember, I love the ocean.”

  She waved the words away. “You are as hopeless as your father was.” But she punctuated the words with a smile.

  Rose cleared her throat, and his mother’s expression changed.

  “Kenelm, have you brought a visitor?

  Rose stepped to his side and he clutched her hand.

  “Mother, I would like you to meet someone.”

  ****

  Eleanor Kennaway had hugged her at least ten times since Kenelm introduced her as his wife.

  “I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it. I have a daughter-in-law, and she’s beautiful!”

  Heat flushed Rose’s cheeks. Having people talk about her as if she wasn’t in the room was odd, but it felt good to be wanted and complimented.