no time for compliments. Can’t you make excuses for me? I will see them another day when I am better prepared.”
“I’d prefer you stay with me. Will you do that for me? We can show them the conservatory together.”
She hesitated then regarded him seriously. “If it is important to you, then very well. I made it through dinner at their house. No doubt I’ll survive this interview. For it is an interview, and not a casual visit. I expect them to have views concerning my background, and you should expect it too.”
He nodded. “You are right, of course. Mother likely will have something to say. But I will be there to support you, and if you grow too distressed, you must give me a sign and I will end the conversation.”
“How about this for the sign?” Rose pressed her nose up with one finger turning her saucy nose into a pig snout.
“Yes. I believe that will do.” Will laughed at his sweetheart, who could deflect her fear with humor. He gave her a last embrace before letting go. “You are sunshine, Rose Gardener. Is it any wonder I love you?”
*
Rose checked her reflection once more in the hallway mirror. There was little she could do about the stains on her skirt, but at least her hair was arranged in a neat bun and her face and hands were clean. She practiced smiling. Good afternoon, your lordship and ladyship. So good to see you again.
Will held her hand and led her to her doom.
Rose caught a breath before entering the drawing room where her prospective in-laws sat in chairs they must have occupied for many years. Probably Lord Carmody’s grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ bums had occupied those same seats. And now an upstart threatened to claim one of them for her own.
Will gave her hand a squeeze as he went to kiss his mother’s cheek. “What an unexpected surprise,” he murmured. “What has brought you to town?”
“Business,” his lordship said succinctly.
“And pleasure,” Lady Carmody took over for him. “I wanted to see you, my dear, and I could not wait for your promised reveal of the finished conservatory. Might we view it today?”
Rose waited with her formal greeting trembling on her lips, but it seemed they were bypassing that. She might relax for a moment.
But only a moment, for now her ladyship turned to her. “Miss Gardener. It appears we have interrupted your work. Would you care to show me the room, while the men remain here to visit with one another?”
Will stood up. “Father and I will come with you. I had planned to show you both the renovation.”
“Sit, son. We’ll have a chat of our own and let the ladies go on about their business, eh? I’ll take a look at the room another time.”
Divided! Rose hadn’t counted on that. The grand dame was going to get her alone and attempt to uproot the common weed from her son’s garden. Her stomach churned at the thought, but then she began to grow angry. She’d spent too long fretting over the difference in their status and was finished worrying about that. Damned if she would yield to pressure, or give up the man she loved.
“It’s all right, Will. I will show your mother what we’ve created together.” Rose took the lead, a reminder to her ladyship that this was no longer her house. She felt the woman’s gaze skewering her all the way to the greenhouse, but when she glanced at Lady Carmody, the woman wasn’t looking at her at all.
Moving into the room and turning in a slow circle, Will’s mother appeared overcome by emotion. “Oh my. This room was never so lovely or in such good condition. When I came here as a bride, the conservatory was already several generations old and had been terribly neglected. I put it to rights as best I could, but the repairs and changes Will has instituted are beyond anything I imagined. Well done. Now your work here is finished, what will you do?”
Her ladyship faced Rose, who prepared to do battle.
“Continue to cultivate the plants. And we thought we might place a bench underneath the orange tree.” She specifically chose the word “we” to leave Lady Carmody in no doubt that Rose would continue to be part of the picture. “As it grows, the branches would shelter and the fruit provide a delightful scent.”
“Yes. I can imagine they would.” She paused. “And I can picture the pair of you enjoying the spot.”
“You