Songs of Yesterday by Monroe Jennifer

Author:Monroe, Jennifer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Rose had found herself in the oddest of predicaments. Earlier that day, her aunt had informed her that Holden and Lord Bradshaw would be calling the following day. Apparently her aunt had known for several days, much to Rose’s angst. She had forced a smile and asked the reason, but her aunt replied that she was uncertain and refused to speculate.

For the remainder of the day, Rose had fretted over what the two men could possible want, and once the hour grew late enough, and she was certain her aunt would be abed, she asked Caroline to come to her room in order to share in some of Juliet’s brandy. Perhaps it was some magical mixture the woman had procured, but whenever they drank from it, it seemed as if her mind cleared and her thoughts flowed much more freely than they did without it. Well, perhaps her mind was not necessarily clear, but she had fewer inhibitions whenever she drank from that bottle. Did all alcohol have that effect? She did not have the experience to know for sure and she was not about to admit as much to the likes of Caroline Thrup.

That woman sat beside her on the bed as Rose spoke her thoughts aloud.

“The only thing that comes to mind,” she said as she passed the bottle to Caroline without looking at the woman, “is that Holden was upset at my refusal and his father has taken it upon himself to bully my aunt into making me agree. If the man has even half the arrogance his son possess, then that could very likely be the reason for their desire to call.”

“Surely your aunt will allow you to make that decision yourself,” Caroline said, passing the bottle back to Rose.

Rose sighed. She was uncertain what to think. She pulled herself off the bed and walked over to the window and peered outside. For a brief moment, she thought she saw a figure near several trees, but then it was gone. No, that had to be her imagination. “It is my decision,” she replied. “And I do not want to argue with my aunt if she decides that the decision is hers. However, if Lord Bradshaw pleads with me to allow his son to court me, I shall still refuse.” She turned from the window and threw herself onto the bed with a sigh.

“First, we must drink and calm our nerves,” the woman said before taking a drink and offering Rose the bottle once more.

Rose eyed the bottle once more. How had she come to falling into the temptation of drinking brandy? And straight from the bottle of all things! She had never acted in such an unladylike fashion in all her life, but at the moment she did not care. She sat up and took the bottle from Caroline. No, the temptation was too much to resist, and she took a hefty gulp before placing the bottle on the side table.

“What do you suggest, then?” she asked Caroline.

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