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Still gripping Rose’s hands, the lady pulled her into the bedchamber “I’ve fresh water in the bowl so you can wash your face And you can change into ohile you wait” She scrunched her nose “The sooner you change out of these clothes the better”
The children were right Rose felt an instant connection to Lillian She possessed a serene quality that put one at ease While her brother’s hard stare could frighten the devil, her hazel eyes brial air, aided by the conservative cut of her high-collared dress
A maid appeared at the door “Come now, children Mrs Hibbet said I’m to settle you in your beds”
Jacob looked most put out “But ant Rose to read to us”
“I’ll come and see you once I’m out of these smelly clothes” Rose kissed both children on the forehead and with some reluctance they followed the maid
“They’ve done nothing but talk about you since they arrived,” Lillian said helping Rose out of her coat “I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but I think their father has told theh” She threw the coat to the floor and then looked Rose in the eye “Will you go with them?”
Rose didn’t need to time to think “In a heartbeat”
Lillian smiled “That’s what I hoped you would say I believe Mrs Hibbet loves you as much as the children do”
Rose fiddled with her cravat but struggled to pull the silk free of the knot “My brother prefers the fancy styles, though they’re a devil to untie”
“Let me try” Lillian stepped forward “There are not entleman’s attire”
Rose recalled Oliver’s growl of disapproval while finding her suitable clothes “I’ would deter me in my course”
Lillian untied the knot and jerked her head back “Heavens, where have you been?”
“I took a dip in the Thah it wouldn’t have been so bad if I could swih rescued me He truly was the hero of the hour” And the love of her life
Lillian dropped the cravat on top of the coat and ambled over to the“What’s it like?” She pulled the curtain to one side and stared down at the street below “I mean, what’s it like to feel loved and cherished?”
How could one answer such a question?