Rose Gardner's Florist (The Providence Street Shops #2) - Bonnie Dee Page 0,39
the road.
“Like a dab in a painting,” she said.
“Pardon?” Will spoke above the engine’s roar.
“Those paintings in the impressionist style at the museum. Little dots of color that require the viewer to step back to see the whole image. The world is very large and each of us a speck upon it.”
“But all living things of importance, I believe.”
“How should I address your parents,” she asked abruptly. “Your lord and ladyship? Lord and Lady Carmody? Shall I curtsy? Perhaps we may take our picnic and not come across your family.”
“I doubt that. I must stop for Cook’s basket and take a moment to speak with Mother since she is expecting us. She will want to meet you and may show you her roses, something that will be of interest to you, no doubt.”
What did his invitation today mean? What would his mother make of her son squiring a shop girl? How deeply would she glower? Dread eclipsed the bright sun of her excitement for the outing.
“William, when I agreed to go with you, I did not know it would be on your family property. I don’t belong there and can’t imagine your family will be pleased.”
He removed one hand from the steering column and patted her clenched hands. “Do not worry. My mother should be happy I am accompanied by a female friend. She had begun to despair that I would ever bring a young lady to visit.”
Rose stared at him. “I am the first? Do you not see how much worse that is? She will imagine I am of some import to you and that I am an opportunist stealing your affections.”
“You are of import to me, and Mother would never view you as an opportunist.” But his expression shifted slightly, suggesting he might have overestimated Lady Carmody’s goodwill. “Everything will be fine, you’ll see. As soon as I’ve introduced you, we’ll take our lunch and set off to the stream.”
Couldn’t we skip to the second part? Rose wanted to beg. But she would not belabor the point. She must put on her best manners and behave the way she guessed one ought to in such august company. Still, she could not stop wondering why William Carmody seemed determined for her to meet his parents.
When the car passed through open gates between columns of granite, Rose’s pulse drummed in a rapid tattoo. The automobile followed a curving gravel drive without a rut or a bump to mar its course, then rounded a bend where Carmody Hall stood in all its glory. Now Rose’s heart nearly choked her. Blimey! The place was not a country house, but a bleedin’ castle with turrets and crenelated walls. A princess might be standing up there fluttering a hanky. She would not be surprised to see a fire-breathing dragon rise up from behind the sprawling stone building.
“You never said,” she accused Will.
“Never said what?”
“How grand it is. I could not have imagined this.” The place was too much. The people inside would be far too grand for the likes of her and she’d make a fool of herself. She wanted to ask Will to turn the automobile around and head right back to the city. “I don’t know what to say or how to act.”
“Behave just as you normally do, and my family will find you as loveable as I do.” Will’s reassurance did little to put her at ease.
He drew up in front of the portico and hurried around to help Rose from the auto. She shook dust from the folds of the coat and pulled back the veiling of her hat so she might better view the stunning reflecting pool in the middle of the lawn.
Several servants erupted on the scene; a chauffeur claimed the keys from Will and drove the car around back to service it, and a butler welcomed them.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Carmody. I did not know the precise time of your arrival or I would have had the staff ready to greet you.”
“Truly, Albertson, there is no reason to make a to-do. This is but a casual visit.”
“I shall seat you in the drawing room and inform Lady Carmody of your presence. May I enquire as to your guest’s name.”
“Yes. Of course. This is Miss Rose Gardener. Albertson, our family butler.”
Rose held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Albertson stared at it before nodding curtly. “Miss Gardener.” He led the way inside and to the drawing room before disappearing through the door.