An odd way to refer to my brother’s love of botany. “He is.”
“A splendid hobby that. Is there a Lady Rosehaven on the horizon?”
“Not as far as I know. Cosmos is deeply devoted to his studies of flora.” Where was he going with this discussion?
“You must desire to manage your own household rather than your brother’s.”
Ahh. It now became clear. He was looking for a mother for his children. But I would not do. “Actually, I’m quite pleased with my arrangement. Forgive me, Lord Selfgren, but I’m growing quite heated. Could I beg you to fetch me a glass of lemonade?”
His mouth turned down, no doubt with disappointment, as he likely desired to continue our discussion. Still, he offered a polite reply. “Of course, Lady Rosalynd.” And, after a bow, off he went.
As soon as he was out of sight, I escaped into a corridor that ran alongside the ballroom. Thankfully, it was empty and, surprisingly, much cooler. There had to be a door or a window open to the elements somewhere close by. As I meandered down the hallway in search of the source, I heard male voices coming from one of the rooms. I would have continued with my exploration if not for the sudden mention of my name.
“Lady Rosalynd, Rosehaven’s sister, submitted a petition to the House of Lords. She wants the legislation committee to introduce a measure to grant ladies the vote. She wrote it under the auspices of the Society for the Advancement of Women. Have you ever heard a sillier name?”
“Heard worse,” a deep voice I recognized said, even as a chorus of laughter broke out among the gentlemen.
“Surely, you have no interest in introducing a bill to give women suffrage, Steele.”
“I don’t.”
I gritted my teeth.
“Ladies should concern themselves with the begetting of children,” the first male voice asserted. “After all, that’s why we marry them. And leave the management of the country to us.”
“Hear, hear!” another gentleman said.
“How did you dispose of the petition?” the Duke of Steele, he of the deep voice, asked.
“I tossed it into the fireplace and watched it burn.”
As another round of laughter circled the group of men, my breath hitched. I’d labored on that proposal for hours only to have it laughed at and consigned to the flames. I was so angry I could barely breathe.
“You’re awfully silent, Steele,” the braggart said. “You don’t agree with my disposition of the letter?”
“Lady Rosalynd will be expecting an answer.”
“You handle it. After all, you’re a member of the legislation committee as well. I’m off to the card room. Anyone care to join me in a game of whist?”
Every man seemed to agree with the suggestion. Only the Duke of Steele declined.
Their fading voices hinted at another exit from the room. Just as well. If they had come my way, I would not have been able to contain my fury. How dare they treat our petition so cavalierly?
“Lady Rosalynd! There you are! I’ve been searching for you.” Lord Selfgren had found me. He was holding two glasses of lemonade and sporting a silly grin.
I couldn’t inflict my ire on him. He had done nothing wrong. “I do apologize, Lord Selfgren. I needed the services of a maid in the withdrawing room. My gown had suffered a torn flounce.”
“Ah, I see. Are you still eager for a lemonade? I fear it’s grown lukewarm.”
I forced a smile to my face. “No matter, sir. I thank you for it.” I took the glass and drank half of it. Warm it may have been, but it did quench my thirst.
When the strains of a waltz reached us, Lord Selfgren’s head snapped up. “I’m afraid I must leave you. I promised a lady this dance.”
Thank goodness. I was in no mood to continue our inane conversation. Still, I had to be polite. “Don’t think anything of it, milord. Thank you for fetching the drink. It was quite refreshing.”
“Until we meet again, milady.” He offered an elegant bow and, with a spritely step, returned to the ballroom in search of another candidate to mother his children. Whoever he chose would indeed be fortunate, as Lord Selfgren was not a bad sort. He was kind, held a title, and possessed a very comfortable fortune. But none of those attributes would tempt me to marry.
I dropped my now-empty glass on a tray strategically located by a potted plant and walked toward the space where I’d left Claire. But I encountered her before I arrived.
