Chapter 154
"Grandmother is bringing a tutor so I can learn before the ball tomorrow," Rose said, thinking her mother should be aware.
"Of course, she would. You have much to learn but I don’t want to throw so much on you at once. A tutor might not be so understanding of our situation. I can teach you the basics first and then bring in a tutor. You will be comfortable with me," said Madeline, knowing a tutor from Valerie might be hard on Rose.
"I would like that but how do I tell grandmother I do not want the tutor?" Rose asked, worried about Valerie’s reaction. Her grandmother already didn’t like her.
"I will tell her. It was my duty to find you a tutor and for the ball, you don’t need to attend if you don’t feel ready. The invitation was for Anna to attend and be courted by suitors. I can send Victor and stay here with you," Madeline offered.
Though the offer was kind Rose could not accept it. She couldn’t steal Madeline away on a night that Anna would want her mother near. "I want to go. I won’t dance so I don’t need to be good at it. Please teach me how a lady is to act so I don’t make a fool of myself or this family."
"Very well," Madeline replied, agreeing. "We can start the basics early tomorrow. There won’t be much to learn since you don’t want to dance and honestly, I want to shield you from speaking to many. They are just looking to gossip."
Madeline held Rose’s hand. "You will need to speak to Zayne now as he will make a wonderful dance partner for you to learn with. Even though you don’t want to dance you never know what can happen. You must speak to him to know why he hid being a prince."
"Okay," Rose nodded her head. "I know where he is."
"I will join you there. Rose, tell me honestly. Was there something said by anyone about you not being suited for Zayne? I was away for too long to protect you. That was careless of me," Madeline said, regretting her earlier decision. "Please tell me."