Page 54 of The Dreaming Beauty
“It has come to my attention that a family is residing at Rose Cottage.”
Odd she would ask after the place. He nodded before remembering she could not see him. “Since the beginning of the summer, yes.”
“Do you know if they plan to stay indefinitely?”
“I cannot be certain. I am told Mrs. Wood possesses a small property in York, but I believe they are making the cottage their primary residence.” For a woman who lived in seclusion, he did not think she would be interested in idle gossip about the neighbors. There had to be a reason she was asking, and it bothered him that he could not see her face to read her expressions.
She turned suddenly, her dark features younger than he would have predicted, her features resolute. “I want you to help me purchase Rose Cottage. Money is no issue.”
Marcus forced himself to speak instead of stare, so eager was he to digest the person in front of him along with her stunning offer. “I am no solicitor, Your Grace.”
“I am well aware. However, my sources tell me you are on good terms with the family and that such an offer might be better received if given by you.”
How did she know anything about his connections to Rose Cottage? As far as he knew, no one ever came to the dower house to so much as deliver mail. The Treavors left long enough to gather foodstuffs but did not even attend church services. What sort of sources did this strange woman have?
Still, he knew it must have cost her to ask for help, and he would make the offer, even if he hoped it would not be accepted. “I will speak to them for you, but if any monetary exchange is to be made, I will recommend my solicitor and let him take over from there.”
She raised her brow. “I did not think you would be so quick to accept.”
Marcus leaned forward and clasped his hands atop his knees. “You might not believe this, but I want to be your friend. However, I want it known that I will do nothing to coerce the women in Rose Cottage to accept your offer. I will extend it and no more.”
“I don’t have friends, but I thank you just the same for the favor you are doing me. I have written down my wishes for you to give to them. I expect a timely response.” She moved to a small circular table with a bell atop it. She opened the single drawer, pulled out a sealed letter, and closed the drawer once more. In her free hand she took up the bell and rang it. Mr. Treavor entered at the sound. He fetched the letter from the dowager’s extended hand and walked it to Marcus.
Marcus stared at it, partially amused and partially sorry for her. He had thought her afraid of people, but now he wondered if she merely disliked them. Whatever her feelings were, they were strong enough that she could not cross the room to be near him. “I will leave you, then.” With letter in hand, he stood and bowed to her.
“One more thing.”
He shifted to face her again.
“I am rarely impressed by a person, but I am impressed by you.”
“Thank you.” He gave her a half smile, wishing he could return the compliment.
“For this reason alone, I am extending a warning. Rose Cottage is cursed, whether you believe the rumors or not. I know it as well as do all the other members of this community who have lived here long enough to remember it. If you truly care for the women at Rose Cottage, you will take this gesture as a merciful act of kindness and encourage your friends to view it as the same.”
Marcus put his hand on the back of the embroidered chair he had just vacated. “I will never tell anyone what they can or can’t believe in, including you, Your Grace. And, curse or not, as I said before, I will not useanyform of coercion to make this business transaction happen. I hope you understand.”
The dowager’s frown deepened. “Very well. You may leave.”
Marcus tipped his head again and said good night to Mr. Treavor at the door. When it shut behind him, he stood on the single step and flipped the letter against his open hand. The dowager had put him in a difficult position. He blew out his breath and began the walk back to the main house, his mind reviewing the conversation over and over again. She had not lied about anything, not even the curse. She believed it to be true, but why? What horrible thing had happened all those years ago at Rose Cottage that no one could forget?
* * *
Tansy glanced down the dining table and noticed the intricate lace cloth and two vases filled with sprigs of lily of the valley. Not two but three candelabras spaced evenly between the flowers cast orbs of light across the array of appetizing dishes. When her gaze lifted, she met Simon’s eyes. He was staring openly at her and seemed pleased to be caught. She looked quickly away and turned to the young Mr. Farris, who sat beside her.
“How do you do?” she said the moment he glanced her way.
“I am well enough” was his short answer. The man was not terribly handsome, but he would be decent enough if he smiled now and then. When he did not return the question, awkwardness filled the silence.
Iris’s frown deepened at the interaction, and when a footman stepped forward to serve her, she pointed to one dish after another, requesting large portions of the delicacies to be placed on her plate. She had no care to converse with anyone, and her sole focus was on the spread before them. This was nobody’s fault but Tansy’s. She had told Iris to distract herself with the food and practically given her permission to be a glutton. Tansy tried to avoid the eyes Iris drew to her as each demand seemed to grow louder than the last, likely induced by Iris’s superstitious anxiety about the unlucky number of dinner attendees. Tansy had forgotten how Iris could be when on edge.
Desperate for a distraction of her own, she took to eavesdropping. It was not long before she learned that the stranger’s name at the head of the table was Lord Gearhart and his daughter was Miss Redding. Since the table seating was by rank, the father and daughter were the closest to Lady Melbourne and the duke. It was obvious by the way Lady Melbourne doted on Miss Redding that she was trying to get the duke to take notice of the young woman. She was nearly as obvious as Iris was about her excitement for the food.
Poor Miss Bellvue’s countenance grew darker as the first course waned. It was clear she did not want to be second to Miss Redding and desired more acknowledgment than she was receiving.
She could not see Miss Farris’s face, but with no other single man in company besides her brother, Tansy would not be surprised if she were there in hopes of capturing the duke’s attention as well as everyone else at the table. Was Tansy the only one thinking of Marcus tonight? For the hundredth time, she asked herself where he was.
His Grace met Tansy’s eye again, and he brazenly winked at her. She kept her face as blank as possible. Her heart lay elsewhere, and it would not be swayed.
