Brave enough to leap.
Her chin lifted a fraction.
The consequences were here.
Very well, so was she.
She extinguished the candles and climbed into bed.
CONSEQUENCES AND COMPROMISES
When she finally opened her eyes again, the light in the room had changed. Not morning, but much later, the sun bright and high.
She had slept far longer than she meant to.
But before she could even push back the covers, loud knocking on the door made her flinch.
And all the recent events came flooding back to her.
“Rosamund! Are you awake in there?”
The door opened before she could answer, and four figures slipped inside.
Eugenia first—golden-haired and purposeful—followed by Imogen, eyes wide with questions.
Josephine next, with her arms crossed, and then Penelope, quieter, her expression more troubled than the rest.
“Charles wishes to see you in half an hour,” Eugenia announced.
Rosamund pushed herself upright against the pillows.
“I am not surprised,” she said, her voice hoarse, because yes, she had slept, but only after a bout of tears.
The sisters exchanged glances.
Imogen lowered herself onto the bed. “Is he truly beastly?” she asked. “The Duke of Bexley, I mean. Does he roar? Does he?—”
“Imogen,” Josephine snapped softly.
Rosamund nearly smiled.
Nearly.
“He does not roar,” she said.
Josephine stepped forward. “Don’t let Charles bully you. Father told us to be bold. He cannot simply undo that because it inconveniences him.”
“Father intended for us to secure our futures,” Eugenia corrected, with grave emphasis. “Not to compromise ourselves in a duke’s country manor.”
“I didn’t compromise myself!” Rosamund answered automatically. Although…
Penelope moved then. Slowly.
“Rosa,” she said, and there was something fragile in her voice. “He was frantic—Charles, when he discovered you weren’t with Georgiana… he thought you’d been abducted. Or worse. He was beyond reason. I had to tell him where you’d gone.” Her fingers twisted together. “I’m so sorry.”
“He was distraught,” Eugenia confirmed.
Rosamund let out a shuddering breath. She had underestimated her brother’s vigilance. Overestimated her own cleverness.