“Please, Rose. Something has been decided. I don’t want to talk about it here. I need to ask you something very important. Your answer,” he said slowly and deliberately, “will determine my future joy.”
The solemn expression of his eyes fascinated her. “Where do you want to meet?”
“In the rose garden.”
“I’ll try to meet you this evening, a few minutes before vespers.”
Lord Rupert smiled. He leaned down slowly, covered one side of her face with his hand, and Rose knew he meant to kiss her. She didn’t move. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips against hers.
The thrill of her first real kiss sent a tingle all the way down to her toes. Her heart tripped at the thought of Geruscha suddenly coming in and seeing them.
Lord Rupert pulled away, a tender gleam in his eye. He leaned in and kissed her again, then ran his fingertips along her cheekbone.
“Until this evening.” He stood and left.
Rose lifted her hand to her face, cherishing the lingering sensation of his touch. She closed her eyes. What could Lord Rupert possibly have to ask her? What, except those much-longed-for words—Will you marry me?
Unbidden, Lord Hamlin’s face appeared before her eyes.
What was wrong with her? She had to forget about him, stop wondering what he was doing every day, stop wishing to tell him every time something good or bad happened to her. Anyway, he would be married, to his precious Lady Salomea, in a few months.
She closed her eyes and imagined marrying Lord Rupert. She had a few misgivings about his attitude toward certain things—responsibility, for instance—but if what Hildy had said about marriage was true, she would be able to overlook all of his faults.
Chapter 19
Rose anxiously waited for six o’clock to draw near. In order to get away without raising Frau Geruscha’s suspicions, she planned to make an excuse about having to visit her parents. Their new home was very near the castle gatehouse, and she would visit her parents, but only to leave Wolfie with her sisters. She thought Lord Rupert would appreciate being completely alone with her when he asked her to marry him. After he asked her, she would go back to her parents’ to fetch Wolfie and tell them the happy news, that she would soon marry the most coveted man in the region of Hagenheim.
Maybe her mother—the only mother she had ever known—would finally be proud of her.
Frau Geruscha approached her. “Rose, I’ve wanted to talk to you about what you said about your parents.”
Not now. She needed to leave soon. “Yes, Frau Geruscha?”
“Rose, sit down.” They both sat on the bench. “I know it must have been devastating to learn that you were not born to your father and mother. But that fact doesn’t mean they don’t love you.”
Rose stared out the window at some clouds and patches of blue sky. “I understand that.”
“You are a wonderful maiden, with excellent qualities, virtues, and talents.”
So you’ve told me before.
“It doesn’t matter who your parents are. That doesn’t determine your worth, Rose.”
“According to the wisdom of the world, it does.”
“But not according to God’s wisdom.”
Rose spoke softly. “I know that.” Do we have to talk about this now?
“Your father loves you very much, and you have always been a blessing to him. You owe your parents love and respect, but you don’t owe it to your mother to marry a rich husband. You don’t have to marry anyone, Rose. You can stay here with me, helping me with my work.”
Rose looked into her eyes. Would Frau Geruscha be hurt if Rose said she wanted to marry instead of becoming the next healer? “I know you don’t want me to marry…”
“It isn’t that, my dear. I do want you to marry—to marry the person you love, who loves you in return.”
Could she mean Lord Rupert? She sighed in happy relief. “Thank you for saying that.”
Frau Geruscha patted her hand and smiled. “All right, child.”
“May I go for a visit now, to my parents’ home?”
Frau Geruscha looked surprised. “Of course.”
“Thank you, Frau Geruscha. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Rose ran toward the door, and Wolfie jumped up and followed her.
“Be careful, Rose.”
Rose’s sisters, Agathe and Dorothye, met her when she opened the door. “Rose! Wolfie!” they squealed, throwing their arms first around Rose’s neck, then around the dog’s.
“Listen. Can you keep Wolfie here for a little while? I’ll be back to fetch him before bedtime.”
They nodded, their words tumbling over one another. “Come back, I have something to show you.” “Me too.” “Hurry back, Rose!”
Rose gave them each a kiss on the cheek and scurried away. She paused in the street just long enough to pull her bracelet from her pocket and fasten it onto her wrist.