buttons.
“Like he knows anything. Always in his cups and dallying away with
lightskirts.”
“I know you don’t like him, but his lordship isn’t that bad,” Rose
said, smiling as she turns to pinch her friend on the cheeks. “Besides,
he’s an honorable man. He would never do such a thing. It’s only your
imagination, True that he drinks sometimes, but he’s a man. What can
you say?”
“I say he’s unfaithful,” Susannah answered, moving to look at the
rack of dresses beside her. “And would not bring you much
happiness.”
“He makes me quite happy, actually,” Rose said picking up one
of the white dresses she had left on the floor and hanging it back up on
the rack.
“Oh, please tell me you’ve found a dress to your taste, m’lady,”
said Madame Marionette de Florette, shop owner of Florette’s Dress
Emporium.
“I’m afraid there are too many to adore that I cannot decide on
which one to pick,” Rose answered. “I think I’ll wait for a day when
my fiancé is not too busy so he can come and help me decide.” “Oh, that will be splendid,” Madame Marionette exclaimed. Then
to Susannah, “You’ve got to find your true amour soon and return to
get your wedding dress. I’ll be waiting here to be call at your service.” “I’m afraid I’ll just find an unfaithful drunken arse like somebody
here and have to shoot him dead,” Susannah replied, looking back at
Rose.
“That’s most improper of you to say, Susannah!” Rose said,
alarmed. “My apologies, Madame Marionette. I’m afraid it’s time for
Susy and I to get back home to not miss our uh…afternoon tea.” “Oh, that’s all right, ma cherie,” Madame Marionette said
cheerfully. “I’ll be waiting for your return. Au revoir.”
Rose took Susannah by the arm and dragged her out of the door
into the carriage.
“I truly appreciated that comment in there,” Rose said crossly,
tapping on the wall for the footman to drive away. “You didn’t have to
say that to Madame Marionette.”
“You know what I said was true,” Susannah argued. “Why can’t
you see that he’s no good?”
“Because he is good,” Rose countered. “He’s nice and gentle. Ah
and charmingly sweet.”
“I think I’m going to spew up pebbles,” Susannah said, making a
sick face and fanning herself with her hand. “Ugh, I need some air in
here.”
“Stop it, Susy,” Rose laughed, swatting at Susannah’s hand.
“Lord Lansing is the most charming man in the world.”
“I’ve heard that before,” said Susannah. “It was to a different
beau though. What’s his name again? Hm…it was–”
“Don’t you dare say it,” Rose snapped menacingly. “Don’t you
dare!”
“Why not?” asked Susannah. “He is who qualifies to be called
charming. He is who’s nice and gentle. He is who you can trust to be
faith–”
“Stop! Stop!” Rose cried, covering her ears. “Please, just stop.
There’s no one that can compare to Lord Lansing.”
“That is where you’re wrong,” Susannah said. “You know well
that–”
“Leon is nothing to me!” Rose fumed. “He is nothing!”
“Ah, yes,” Susannah clapped. “Leon. Monsieur Leon Heartily,
that’s his name. Thanks for reminding me.”
“You’re not welcome,” Rose answered irately.
“Surprising that you still remember his name after all these
years,” said Susannah. “You don’t actually think I will believe you
when you say he’s nothing to you, do you?”
“Susannah, I don’t want to talk about this.”
“But I do.”
“Please stop torturing me,” said Rose, flinging her arm over her
eyes. “I’ve worked hard enough to forget him.”
“But you never did forget, did you?
Rose pales and turned away to look out the window without a
response
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“You don’t understand, Susy,” Rose murmured with a sigh. “I understand one thing for sure,” Susannah replied. “You still
love him.”
“I don’t!” Rose protested. “I don’t love him–not anymore. Not
even an inch!”
“Or so you say,” Susannah countered. “Tell me, do you love Lord
Lansing then?”
“Of course I do!” Rose blurted. “Why would I want to marry
Marcus if I don’t love him?”
“Oh, so now he’s Marcus?” Susannah smirked and went on. “I
don’t see it,” she said. “I just don’t see it. It was different. Different
from the way you were with–”
“You have no idea, Susy. Please, let’s not talk of it anymore.” “Very well, but still, I know you don’t love Lord Lansing.” There were no more comments made for the remainder of the ride.
Rose felt like crying as she reflects back to the past. She didn’t want to.
She had spent ten years of her life forgetting, yet something always brings
it back.
Leon.
She had loved him very much.
He was like the world to her.
And yes, Susannah was right. He is who qualifies to be called
charming. He is who’s nice and gentle.
But he is not one you can trust to be faithful.
That was where Susannah went wrong.
He had broken her heart by–
Rose couldn’t