Free Price of Desire by Lavinia Kent Page B

encourage any familiarity in her servants. ” Lady Smythe-Burke stared at Rose, brow raised, as if daring her to object . “She should never inquire after health or well-being unless it directly relates to the running of the house . Of course , any malady which would effect how things run must be dealt with promptly . A footman with a sore tooth should merely be discouraged from moaning ; however , if his cheek is swollen and unsightly then he had best be kept below stairs.”
    How much longer could the woman talk ? She’d been the greatest help in choosing guests and making arrangements, but Rose hadn’t realized there’d be such a price to pay . The whole point of this venture was to become acquainted with the gentlem e n, not to learn how better to order in her home . She was very satisfied with the way things ran . If she wanted to make a poultice for her footman’s tooth, then she would . No matter what Lady Smyth-Burke said – to do ot herwise was foolish . H ow could you expect good service from a man in pain ? Not to mention the basic ten e ts of Christian charity . Rose couldn’t imagine leaving anybody to suffer if the pain could be helped.
    The stir of deep voices from the hallway drew her back into the moment . Lady Clarington shifted on the couch, drawing attention to her low neckline . As the door opened and the gentleman entered, a wide smile lit her face .
    “Oh , there you are !   I was just thinking of going up . These country evenings can be so slow . I am always looking for entertainment. ” Her eyes skipped over her husband , and unmistakably devoured Wulf, pausing for a long moment on his hips before moving up to settle on his lips . Irritation curled in Rose’s chest . It was so unseemly.
    Clarington strutted over to stand before his wife, puffing his chest out like a guinea hen . “Minerva, my dear, you know we gentlemen need time to discuss the important details of life . We wouldn’t want to bother your lovely heads . Wear you right out, it would . M ajor Huntington, here, was just explaining why Napoleon would stay put this time . Not at all a subject for feminine conversation .”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t be too certain of that, my dear . I am sure whatever M ajor Huntington has to share with the ladies would be just fascinating . You know I’ve always been interested in soldiers. ”
    “I am af rai d your husband is right, my lady . T he destruction left in the wake of battle is not at all the fodder for a delicate mind. ” Wulf addressed Lady Clarington, but his gaze focused on Rose . She sought to ignore the warmth she felt rise within her; the room was overheated.
    “I must beg to disagree,” Rose stated . “M ajor Huntington, how is a lady to understand the world if she is sheltered from its rougher side ? ”
    “Why would a lady want to understand the world when she could put her time to so much better use selecting bonnets?”
    Rose was about to bite out some suitable setdown, but Lady Clarington responded first.
    “I daresay you are right . It is the responsibility of ladies to provide a restful haven from the harsh realities of the world . We must constantly seek to provide distraction from unpleasantness . Don’t you agree, M ajor Huntington?”
    “Why , yes, I would say you have just aptly described the true function of a lady in our society.”
    Lady Clarington sparkled up at him, unaware of the undercurrent of his words . Rose was not so oblivious . She felt his sting.
    “I am afraid I must beg to disagree again,” Rose said . “While it is true that motherhood and ladylike accomplishments may somewhat soften the appearance of feminine strength , i t would be a dull man indeed, who misjudged our power.”
    “Oh , Rose, you go too far. ” For the first time Marguerite spoke up from her seat in the corner . “I don’t think women should be described as powerful . I know I wouldn’t care to be.”
    Rose resisted the urge to call her sister a twit . Earlier , she