Author's Note: I had a little bit of a harder time with this chapter. I wanted to keep a steady pace but not drag things on. I hope it's good.

Chapter Three - Calling on Rosamund

The Spencers had their place in society. They weren't the richest of the rich but they lived comfortably. The Spencer daughters found much enjoyment in entertaining their Father's many guests. They sang, recited poetry and played duets on the piano forte. The girls would spend days preparing and looked forward to visits. But Rosamund was not looking forward to this one. Governor Ratcliffe was coming that evening. It had been four days since Alice's wedding and Rosamund hadn't had enough time to adjust to the emotional letdown of preparing for a wedding and not having her sister around. She did not want any callers let alone him.

"Why did Father agree to have him over this week?" Rosamund complained the eighth time that day to her mother. She was at the piano forte. Rosamund observed her posture, she had been trying her patience. Everyone in the household knew what was going on but nobody talked openly about it. Governor Ratcliffe was planning on taking Rosamund as his wife. Father approved but still had yet to talk about it with her. Rosamund bristled at the very idea of her Father talking to her about a husband at all. It was much too personal and awkward to talk about such a subject with her Father.

"Your Father thinks it's a good idea and the Governor does want to see you." Mother tried to console and convince her daughter it was a good idea. Rosamund tried to distance herself from even the very idea of them together. Mother straightened up and began to play. Rosamund knew that that was the end of talk on the subject and began to sing the song they had been practicing.

I have been waiting, sweet, for my love to meet

Again Rosamund pictured Ratcliffe, and tried to mentally shake him from her mind.

Me in my floundering way

I need a rescuer, I've found, need to procure

Some great adventure this day

Adventure, indeed.

"What a dumb song. It lacks substance." Rosamund thought to herself as she continued.

"What will it be this evening, Dove?" Hannah asked Rosamund. Rosamund had been too distracted to answer. Hannah walked over and took Rosamund's hands in hers. "What will it be this evening, Dove?" she asked again softly.

"Um," Rosamund began. She thought of the first one that came to her mind. "The burgundy, with the square neckline."

Hannah gave her a small smile.

Rosamund finished getting ready in silence. She put on a fine string of pearls Father gave to her. She adjusted her small lacey head-covering and put a teal ribbon in her hair. After a few dabs of perfume she was ready. She met an equally quiet Joanna on the staircase landing. Rosamund took Joanna's hand. Joanna was not ready to lose another sister. With there being seven years difference between them it would be awhile before Joanna would have suitors herself. Being faced with the prospect of living in a big house empty of sisters made her uncharacteristically tame.

The Governor's arrival was announced and he was shown in. His eyes immediately clamped on Rosamund. She looked gorgeous. Though a little withdrawn, but gorgeous just the same.

The women curtsied and Father bowed to their guest. Ratcliffe bowed in return. The next while was spent in the parlor, Father and Ratcliffe talking of politics and business, drinking brandy. The subject matter usually piqued Rosamund's interest. It wasn't always so proper to speak of such things in front of female company but Benjamin Spencer paid little heed to that rule.

Rosamund was too distracted and her mind drew blank as she waited for dinner to be served. Joanna took Rosamund's hand again. Mother looked at them. She was distracted as well. Distracted by how dull they were acting. She knew the reasons but put on a pleasant face just the same.

"Dinner is served." Their butler announced. They entered the big dining room used for small intimate parties. Rosamund was not too thrilled with the seating arrangements. She was not to sit next to Joanna as usual, but the Governor. Joanna would take her place by Mother.

As dinner began Ratcliffe turned to Rosamund.

"You look lovely this evening Miss Spencer, if I may be so bold." He smirked.

Rosamund looked up at her Father, who did not seem disturbed in any way by Ratcliffe's forward comment.

So Rosamund replied. "You may."

This statement clearly pleased both the men.

Joanna,however, did not like Ratcliffe complimenting her sister. She had the same look on her face when Colonel Winchell began speaking to Alice that way. Rosamund could see Mother's arm move, she must have patted Joanna's knee because her face softened a little.

Dinner continued, and Rosamund was cordial with Ratcliffe and his minute advances.

"It must be very hard for him to keep just inching forward like this, he seems like a man who would rather throw off inconveniences and just dive for whatever he wanted." Rosamund thought.

The more she observed him it did seem like he was trying to act against his nature and contain himself. Was he like this towards everyone or just herself in particular? She wondered about the hidden man. His true character. Certainly her Father wasn't handing her over to a barbarian. She knew so little of him since they naturally moved in different circles.

After dinner the party went back to the parlor.

"And now Governor, Rosamund has been working on this piece for days, now we get to hear it." Benjamin said eagerly. Rosamund wished he wouldn't have made her sound so eager herself.

Piano music began behind her and she sang the song she practiced about finding a love to help her floundering self and how she needed adventure. Ratcliffe didn't seem impressed with the silly romantic sentiments in the song either but was rather intent on not prying his eyes off of the singer.

Rosamund's parents were equally intent on showing off their daughter. They had made an art of this while Alice was courting the Colonel. They were about as subtle as a broken leg.

"Rosamund, take Joanna upstairs and put her to bed. And do hurry back. Don't keep our guest waiting." Margaret smiled at her girls. Joanna walked over to kiss her parents goodnight and then was taken upstairs by Rosamund.

"He is a big man." Joanna noted once they were up the stairs.

"Like a brick wall." Rosamund agreed.

"Don't tell me you're going to marry him." Joanna said as they entered their room.

"If Father has anything to say about it, and he does that will be a possibility."

"I wish I was a boy sometimes." Joanna huffed a little while changing into her nightgown.

"Darling, we can't change that. We need to do well with what lives God has given us." Rosamund said, for her and Joanna's benefit. "Goodnight. I want you asleep when I come up here." Rosamund kissed her sister and shut the door behind her.

She leaned against the closed door for a moment. Allowing herself a moment of weakness. She could not let Joanna know how she truly felt. If only Alice were here she might have something to say that would do a better job at consoling them both. A thought came to her. Were they talking about her? She quietly made her way downstairs. She hung back a few steps from the parlor entryway and listened. A maid walked by and didn't seem too surprised at Rosamund standing outside of the parlor listening. The maid carried on as usual and took a basket of mended linens up the stairs.

"Rosamund was good in her studies. She knows French and Latin." Benjamin boasted.

"Yes, she is a very bright girl. You won't have to worry about having a dull life partner." Margaret agreed.

Life partner-ugh

"She has beautiful handwriting. That should be useful for your many correspondence."

"She is humble and gentle and would never purposefully disgrace or embarrass or do harm to your name in any way!"

Rosamund openly rolled her eyes. Her parents never acted like this any other time. Was Ratcliffe just sitting there listening to them drone on about her?

"She is very good with a needle as well."

"Oh, goodnight, their going to want me to show off my sampler next." She thought with distraught.

Rosamund heard enough. She entered the parlor.

"Ah, Rose." Benjamin said to her.

The only empty chair in the room was the one next to Ratcliffe. Rosamund cringed inwardly. All three of them watched as she took her seat.

"My Rosamund," Ratcliffe began. "they tell me you are a scholar."

"Among women I pass for one." This was dreadfully embarrassing to have all of this attention on her suddenly. Ratcliffe seemed to be enjoying every bit of it. This was payback for the way she brushed him off four days ago.

The night seemed to drag on. Her parents crooned on about their daughter. Her talents, her appearance, her qualities. Ratcliffe nodded at the appropriate times and made little comments to which Rosamund answered graciously.

"She looks as though she wished the floor would swallow her up." Ratcliffe thought to himself.

When the evening finally did come to an end Ratcliffe took Rosamund's hand and kissed it. "I hope to continue these meetings, Miss Spencer. I thoroughly enjoyed myself."

"I'm sure you did. Why don't you just quit shoveling with the niceties and just get on with what you're really here for." Rosamund thought to herself as she smile courteously at the Governor.

"You'll have to ask my Father." Rosamund replied a little saucily.

This only spurred the Governor on.

Benjamin walked Ratcliffe out to his coach.

"You and Margaret have a fine daughter, Benjamin."

"So it seems, John." Benjamin replied with a grin.

"Though she is a little bit introspective." Ratcliffe narrowed his eyes.

"That's just a part of her charm. She has a lot more good points to combat with that one."

"Indeed." Ratcliffe agreed. "The girl was young, beautiful, healthy. Any faults in her could easily be subdued." He reasoned with himself.

"I do hope you plan on calling again." Benjamin said.

"I do, that is my plan of action." Ratcliffe said as he climbed into his coach. "She is a lovely girl."

"Until next time, John." Benjamin nodded.

"Benjamin." Ratcliffe curtly nodded. "Drive on." He told his coachman.

As Benjamin returned to the house, he found a stone-faced Rosamund standing near the door way. Hands clasped squarely in front of her. Eyes fierce and full of fire. Daring to question her Father's intent.

Benjamin lifted a finger at his daughter. "Don't." Was the only thing he said as he walked towards his study.