Romancing Rose

Chapter Two

Chapter Two 

Rose kept to herself as she observed the sea of wealthy men and women interact with each other on the dance floor. She had little idea as to why she had even been invited to the ball, after all, it was a suppose to be a celebration for Lady Lennox's son but this looked more like a rendez vous for the adults.

"Rose!" A voice called.

Rose swiveled her head to be greeted by Lady Susan Fairfax. Susan had been one of her closest friends ever since she had settled under her Aunt and Uncle's house. The girl was pleasant, kind and quiet compassionate - though, she wasn't the cleverest, at least her virtues heavily outweighed any ounce of vice. Her chubby cheeks were flushed red as she looked excitable as ever. She was raised by her overbearing mother while her father meekly listened to anything his wife demanded.

"Oh how are you Susan?" Rose greeted warmly, a relief lifted from her chest seeing that her friend was also in attendance.

"Wonderful really, and you?"

"Quite alright, I'm here to enjoy the festivities but I find it quite odd that her grace, Lady Jonathan Lennox would have invited such an odd crowd for her son ..."

Susan giggled before whispering in Rose's ear, "I heard it wasn't for her son, they say most of us were invited for the sake of her brother."

"Ah yes, her grace's brother. The infamous Duke of Salisbury." Rose murmured. She should have connected to the dots quicker but now pieces of the puzzle were finally being put together.

Rose was well aware of Lord Cecil's reputation. She already despised him by the rumors that circulated the ton. He sounded like an echo of her father - someone she could barely stand.

"Lady Langford and Lady Fairfax," another voice greeted.

The man was a face that Rose was often used to seeing. Lord George Taylour of Breckinridge was the first son of the late Marquis. He was quite the catch on papers and even in person. He wasn't ugly but he certainly wasn't the most handsome. He was simply average - plain but had a good head on his shoulders. But no matter how much Rose had attempted to converse with the man, she couldn't find anything interesting about him. She found his speeches rather incessantly long and boring - she simply couldn't care!

"Lord Taylour! How pleasant it is for you to join us," Susan said with a smile on her face.

Rose could sense that her friend was far more ecstatic than usual. It hadn't been a secret that Susan harbored a long interest in the man which Rose was far more glad to encourage.

"Say, this is one fine ball isn't it? It's always in her grace's fashion to throw the most ravishing events."

Rose merely sighed, nodding while Susan seemed to frantically wobble her head back and forth in agreement. Rose eyed the pins on the girl's head hoping that none were loose enough to pop out.

And for the next few minutes, Rose gritted her teeth as George droned on and on about whatever he though fascinating today. Though Susan was fully immersed, Rose felt like shoving a pound of butter in her mouth and drowning in it. It wasn't until Susan was forced to excuse herself thanks to her mother's order did Rose have to genuinely pay attention to the man.

"I've been meaning to find time to speak to you alone Lady Langford," George uttered.

Rose clenched her fingers knowing full well what the consequences meant. She had been tactfully warned by her aunt on several occasions about the ways of men.

"I think it best we discuss whatever you wish right here," Rose said confidently with a smile. George's smile faltered for a moment before he recomposed himself.

"I-I meant to discuss something quite serious - not for the others to hear. It's in regards to your future Lady Langford. Our future."

"Our future?" Rose raised her brows. "You must be mistaken Lord Taylour. I think the only future that should be discussed should be yours and Lady Susans."

"Lady Susan?" George remarked in disbelief. "I promise you Rose I've o-"

Praise be the heavens that somehow someone arrived to rescue the unfortunate situation.

"My, Lord Taylour, you've been hogging Lady Langford all evening! Please excuse my intrusion as I've needed to talk with her." Charlotte Lennox interrupted in all her finery. She smiled briefly but her eyes were pointed in a way to tell the poor man to scat.

"Thank you, your grace, Lady Jonathan," Rose sighed with relieved as she bowed her head.

"No need to address me so formally. I've told you, calling me Charlotte is much more in preference. I can sense a damsel in distress when I see one."

The two were caught up in conversation. Though Rose hadn't known Charlotte well, she knew of the Lady's infamous unconquerable reputation. But even she found herself quiet at the side of her husband, Jonathan Lennox. Women still swooned over the dashing duke but none dared to display such blatant flirations. Most feared the wrath of his equally beautiful wife. The two were a match made from heaven most said. And their son would someday inherit all his mother's beauty and his father's handsomeness.

"I've been meaning to introduce you to my brother. Be it his reputation but he isn't horrid." Charlotte implored.

Rose did her best to remain indifferent but she had long made up her mind about Lord Cecil's character.

"Come along now," and before Rose could utter another word, she found herself being pulled away to meet William Cecil. 

A/N: Please vote and comment as much as possible, I'd love to receive some feedback. Until the next chapter!