“Things change very quickly, though.”
“It doesn’t seem like things are changing much for me. Every day I get up and go to work and come home and have some kind of party to go to or I stay home here with the children. I enjoy the parties some but…I am just not interested in dancing with all those women…” He shook his head, not able to find the words to convey how he felt. He couldn’t imagine he put off the best image to the women he encountered anyway. No wonder they didn’t seem to be able to hold a conversation with him. “Although I suppose I could try a little harder. I don’t do much to help the situation, do I?” He smiled at her.
She didn’t want him to try harder. She giggled a little and held her hand up over her mouth. She noticed that the look on his face had changed. He was looking at her more directly, as if he had suddenly realized something. As if he was seeing her for the first time. She lowered her hand and smiled at him.
Richard was, indeed, realizing something for the first time. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a conversation with a woman that lasted longer than a few minutes, other than Elizabeth. Rose seemed genuinely interested in what he had to say and responded to him with thoughtful remarks.
He suddenly stood up and bowed to her. “I am going to retire now, Rose. It was nice talking with you. I will see you in the morning?”
“Yes, sir.” She stood up, as well.
He gazed at her for a moment. “It’s Richard,” he said plainly.
She smiled. “Yes, Richard.”
He smiled back and turned to walk out of the room, unaware he was taking a piece of her heart with him.
Chapter Four
Rose recounted the conversation for Elizabeth the next day.
“I’m so glad you decided to stop in again today, Liz.” Rose set their teas in front of them with a platter of small cookies and cakes.
Elizabeth eyed the snacks hungrily, trying to decide what to start with. “These look delicious, don’t they?” She picked up a cookie gingerly, as if it might disintegrate before she had a chance to eat it. She took a bite, smiling at Rose. “I do like to come here whenever I can. This is the most relaxing atmosphere. You’ve done such a good job with it.”
Rose looked around. Richard had asked her a few months after his wife’s death to make the rooms they occupied as light and airy as possible, to keep the mood elevated. “Thank you.”
“Did you have a good evening last night?”
“I did.” Rose nodded. “I had a nice conversation with Richard.”
Elizabeth’s face lit up. “Did you?”
“Yes. We talked about the dances and his business. His…dreams, what he would like to be doing if he had a choice.”
“Richard doesn’t enjoy his position in the company?” Elizabeth looked surprised. “He’s never mentioned that to me.”
“He said he would rather be riding horses.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Oh, yes. I understand that. When he was young, he wanted to be a jockey. I remember.”
“That’s what he said.” Rose felt a little disappointed. For a moment, it seemed Richard had told her something he had not mentioned to anyone else before. If he hadn’t told Elizabeth, it would have been something very personal. She pushed the feeling away and smiled at Elizabeth. “It made me feel he does care about what I think. He was very relaxed when speaking to me.”
“Well, I think you would be an excellent choice for my brother,” Elizabeth said, firmly. “You should be dancing with him instead of Kathleen Caywood.”
They both laughed.
“I truly think many of the ladies are intimidated by the children.” Elizabeth looked out over the yard to where the children were having a picnic and playing.
“Why would they be intimidated?”
“It’s not often a woman will be willing to take on three children, especially when they are as smart and beautiful as these.” Elizabeth shook her head. “Even though Richard is notable and holds a position in society.”
“Surely that can’t be the case.”
“I think it’s also because Richard has very high standards.”
“He mentioned he didn’t want a strong-willed woman to come in and rule his house.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That sounds like him. He wants the children to be safe, loved and happy. Kate was so good at making them smile. She made them all smile.” She turned her eyes to Rose. “I notice that they smile at you the same way. You have done such a wonderful job keeping their spirits high in the face of it all.”
Rose sighed. “Thank you. It’s not difficult when they are already good-natured.”
“Hmmm…” Elizabeth had that look on her slender face again. She pursed her red lips, giving Rose a direct look. “I am having an idea.”
I can tell, Rose thought and smiled at Elizabeth.
“What are you plotting now, Liz?” She asked.