Free Price of Desire by Lavinia Kent Page A

managed this estate for years . Why should it matter whether I have a husband or not?”
    “Oh, my poor Rose. ” Marguerite thrust her needle into the stretched fabric and took her sister’s hands in her own . “I know you have had a difficult time since Burberry’s death . If only Mama would have let me come immediately . No wonder you want another husband, somebody to help lift the burden from your shoulders . You should not have been left to manage on your own . Burberry should have appointed a guardian to manage things for you.”
    “No, that’s not what I wanted at all. ” Rose separated her hands from her sister’s and stood up . She resisted the urge to pace . “I am perfectly happy managing the estates . I don’t want a husband who will come and take it over . That’s my biggest problem in choosing a man . I need one who doesn’t want to interfere, one who will appreciate my taking care of him.”
    Marguerite chewed on her lower lip, her eyes troubled . “I just do not understand you sometimes . You want a husband, but one who will not bother you?”
    “Yes . Well, no . I want a companion, but one who will leave me to run my own life, my own properties.”
    “That does not sound like a companion to me . It sounds like a – ”
    “A what?”
    “It doesn’t matter.”
    Planting her feet, Rose glared down at her sister . “You’ve fairly begun . Now you must say it, Marguerite.”
    Marguerite stared down at her hands . “ Well, i t sounds like a  . . . pet. ” She flushed deep as she whispered the last word.
    Rose drew air deep into her lungs . She wanted to protest her sister’s choice of similes, but could not bear to see Marguerite quiver any more . Besides, she knew there was some truth to what her sister said . She probably would be happy with a faithful hound, if only he could talk to her on stormy nights, play a good game of chess, and be a father to Anna . She grinned at the thought .
    She flipped over her list and considered additions.
     
     
    “That went well . You are a charming hostess . So organized. ” Lady Smythe-Burke sat sipping her after - dinner tea as they waited for the gentlemen to join them . Or at least she would have sipped if she ever stopped talking . “And your staff, far better than one would expect in the country . I could give you a few hints, of course . When one’s been running a house for as long as I have , naturally one learns a few secrets . For instance, I must say you may be a touch too familiar with your butler, Watson . . . ”
    “Matson, actually – ” Rose tried to interject.
    “Doesn’t really matter, my point is that although one must retain a cordial relationship with the staff, particularly those of long duration and trusted position, it is most important – a re you listening, Minerva ? I’ve seen you make the same error. ” Lady Smythe-Burke turned to address Lady Minerva Moreland, Countess of Clarington, the only other guest brave enough to sit near her .
    Lady Clarington, looked up with heavy eyes . She fluttered a scarf over her ample bosom . “Oh, I am sorry . I fear my mind must have drifted . No reflection on you, I fear I am always distracted after a carriage ride . Leaves one most exhausted, doesn’t it ? I may just retire early, even before the gentlemen join us . I know if my husband has any say they can spend hours with their cigars . He’d much rather discuss horses and hounds than partake of any civilized conversation . He doesn’t understand a woman’s desire for interesting discussion . He never takes any interest in my correspondence – and you know how hard I work at it . And, i f I try to discuss important matters like bonnets and floral arrangements he coughs and says he ’s due at his club. ”
    “Oh, Minerva, I don’t know that that’s true . He’s no worse than any of them . Now, back to butlers and housekeepers . As I was saying , if a lady wants to maintain decorum in her home , she should never