A Lady Never Tells(138)
The earl cleared his throat. “I am not sure of the custom in America, but in this country, it is usual to ask the head of the family for permission to marry.”
“An antiquated notion,” Camellia protested.
Sam, however, nodded, saying, “I intend to, sir, if you will allow me to speak to you in private.”
Stewkesbury nodded and swept his hand toward his office. Sam straightened, gave a tug to his coat, and followed Stewkesbury to the door of the earl’s office.
“Just a minute, Sam Treadwell!” Rose’s voice cracked like a whip down the length of the corridor, and everyone turned to stare at her. Her cheeks were high with color and her eyes blazing. “Now your first concern is whether my cousin will approve of our marriage? I might remind you—I am the one you want to marry. So I am the one you should be asking.”
“But I—I—” The young man gaped at her.
“You assumed I would say yes.” Rose crossed her arms. “You figured you had me all wrapped up; nothing to worry about. Well, if I were you, I’d worry less about what the Earl of Stewkesbury thinks and more about what Rose Bascombe intends to do!”
Rose whirled and walked rapidly down the hall and back up the stairs. Sam Treadwell gaped after her. He took a step down the hall, then stopped and turned back toward the earl in confusion.
“I think a drink all around might be in order,” Stewkesbury told the young man, and steered him into the office.
Fitz followed them. Royce levered away from the wall where he had been leaning and started toward the office. He paused beside Mary, his eyes twinkling, and leaned in a little closer.
“We could make it a double ceremony… .”
Mary’s lips tightened. “I’m not certain there’s going to be a single ceremony. In any case, I hardly think you and I belong with Rose and Sam.”
“If you were to hare off to America, I would follow you.”
“Because you are stubborn,” Mary retorted. “’Tis hardly the same thing.”#p#分页标题#e#
Royce grinned and moved on, and Mary joined Lily and Camellia as they followed Rose up the stairs.
* * *
“Do you mean to marry Sam Treadwell?” Lily asked breathlessly as soon as they crossed the threshold into Rose’s room. “It’s terribly romantic.”
“At the moment, I have no plans regarding Sam Treadwell.” Rose scowled as she paced across her room. “But I fail to see what is so romantic about talking to everyone else about marrying a girl and not saying a word to the girl herself !”
“You have a point.” Mary closed the door behind her and watched her sister for a moment. “Still … it does show a certain commitment to jump on a ship and follow you across the ocean.”
“I know!” Rose cried. “And I was so happy to see him. I wanted to throw my arms around him. You know how I feel about him, Mary, how much I’ve missed him. He said such wonderful things about how he should have stood up to his parents and asked me to marry him. But then he turns around and speaks to the earl first!”
“Mmm. It is rather annoying. But Sam is a traditional young man, you know. I don’t think he meant any disrespect to you.”
“Maybe not.” Rose turned, her chin set mulishly. “But I am tired of being pushed and pulled about. First Cosmo, always pushing me to marry Egerton Suttersby.” Rose gave an expressive shudder, which was echoed by Lily. “Then this person who keeps trying to abduct me, though I haven’t the slightest idea why. The earl fancies himself in charge of us all and foists that chaperone on us, who tells me what to say, what to eat, how to act, until I think I shall scream. Now Sam shows up and wants to ask the earl if I can marry him, as if Stewkesbury were the one in charge of my heart!”
“You’re right,” Camellia agreed. “You ought to tell them all to go jump.”
“I have a feeling that Sam will correct his behavior. I think he really loves you,” Mary told Rose. “As for the rest of it, I think I have a way of catching this man who keeps bothering us.”
“Really? What?” All the sisters turned their attention to Mary.
“All we have to do is convince the men,” Mary said, and began to explain.
Chapter 25
They set their plan into motion by first going to ask a favor of Charlotte. She looked somewhat apprehensive when she heard what they intended, but she agreed to carry out her part, which was to inform Miss Dalrymple that tonight was to be a family dinner and Miss Dalrymple’s attendance would not be required. Since Charlotte had little more liking for the woman than Lady Vivian did, it was not a difficult task.