Kelly wasted no time after her unsettling encounter with the unfamiliar woman in the kitchen. Her frustration and determination fueled her as she continued her search for Lady Flourish. After weaving through the hallways and courtyards of the Carter estate, she finally found her seated gracefully in the garden, enjoying her morning tea.
Lady Flourish's lips curled into a pleased smile as she saw Kelly approach, expecting good news. But the moment Kelly breathlessly recounted what had actually transpired the previous night—how Julian had locked himself in his room with another woman before she could get in—Flourish's expression darkened.
"What did you say?" she asked, her voice cold with irritation.
"There was someone else already in his room," Kelly repeated, her jealousy evident in every word. "By the time I got there, the door was locked. I waited all night, but I couldn't get in. Julian was with another woman."
Flourish's fingers tightened around her teacup, her perfectly planned scheme falling apart before her eyes. However, a small, unexpected thought slipped into her mind, bringing a twisted sense of satisfaction. At least he had been with a woman. A tiny part of her had started to wonder if her son even had an interest in the opposite sex.
For a moment, her anger simmered beneath a calculating smile. "And this woman... did you see her?"
"Yes, I did. I saw her in the kitchen this morning. She acted like she didn't know me, but I know she was the one," Kelly answered bitterly.
"Describe her to me."
Kelly did, down to the last detail. Flourish's face stiffened. Rose. It had to be Rose.
Before she could say another word, Kelly excused herself, clearly upset and unwilling to linger any longer. Once alone, Flourish sat back and exhaled slowly. So, it was Rose who had spent the night with Julian. She had explicitly forbidden that girl from setting foot on the third floor. What was she doing in Julian's room in the first place?
As she pondered, footsteps echoed behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Julian stormed into the garden, his expression unreadable but his presence heavy with restrained anger. "Mother."
Flourish calmly sipped her tea. "Julian. What brings you here so early?"
His jaw tightened. "Don't play games with me. What did you put in my drink?"
She arched a delicate brow. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me!" His voice was sharp, his patience hanging by a thread. "You drugged me, didn't you?"
Flourish sighed, setting her teacup down with practiced elegance. "I wouldn't call it 'drugging.' I simply helped you loosen up. You never show interest in women, Julian. I was beginning to worry."
Julian clenched his fists, his anger barely contained. "You had no right! Do you have any idea what you've done?"
"Oh, don't be so dramatic. What's the harm in a little fun?" she waved dismissively, then her expression turned serious. "Honestly, I was beginning to suspect you preferred men."
Julian let out a humorless laugh, his gaze dark. "So your solution was to force a woman into my bed?"
"Not force," she corrected, unbothered by his fury. "Encourage."
Julian exhaled sharply, trying to contain his outrage. "Do you even realize the trouble you've caused? I slept with Rose."
For the first time, Flourish looked genuinely taken aback. "Rose?"
"Yes, Rose," he snapped. "And you know what the worst part is? She was in my room before I even got there. Why? How? That's something you should be asking yourself."
Flourish sat in stunned silence, replaying the events in her head. She had made sure to tell Rose that the third floor was off-limits. So why had she gone up there?
Julian shook his head in frustration, turning away. "You wanted me to have a woman? Congratulations, you got your wish. But don't ever try something like this again."
With that, he stormed off, leaving his mother alone with her thoughts. A mix of disappointment, frustration, and curiosity settled over her. What had drawn Rose to that room? And what did this mean for her carefully laid plans?