The Duke Conspiracy (13 page)

Elizabeth looked at Rose seriously. “Will
that matter overmuch? Does it change your concerns about her
father's machinations?”

“No, but it will bother me more,” Rose
admitted. “I would prefer that she had a cold heart and was out to
hurt him. Then I would have a clear conscience as I would be
rescuing my old friend.”

“Have no fear on that score. I firmly believe
it is still a rescue mission.”

The two girls laughed, linked arms, and made
their way home in harmony.

That evening Rose paid particular attention
to her appearance, much to her maid's chagrin.

“Miss Rose, whatever is the matter with you?
You are never as fidgety about your clothes and hair as this. You
aren't planning anymore assignations, are you?”

“Mary Singleton! Of course not, how could you
say such a thing?”

“Seems to me like it's a sensible question
when you consider the goings on of late.”

“You hush, Mary. There are no goings on. I
merely wish to look my best. It seems to me to be a reasonable
request for a debutante.”

“You are perfectly correct, Miss, it is just
that you have seemed to hardly care before now.”

“Well, now I have friends to meet and the
potential of dance partners, so I need to be presentable.”

“You have always been presentable, Miss, more
than presentable. I think you look better than most of the other
girls I've seen. Those two ladies who arrived just before you and
Lady Elizabeth left from visiting Lady Anne surely looked like they
needed to spend a bit more time with their maids and a
hairbrush.”

Rose giggled over her maid's words but
reprimanded her none the less. “Hush, Mary, I am trying to be
friendly with them, so we must be kind even if their hair leaves a
little to be desired. Perhaps their maid does not have the skills
you have.”

“Now you're just trying to turn me up sweet,
Miss.” Mary grinned at her mistress.

“Is it working? It seems to me that it is
terribly important to remain on the good side of the person styling
your hair. Else I might not be able to leave the house.”

“Oh Miss, I would never do anything to damage
your beautiful hair.”

“I know, Mary, I was merely teasing you. Now
tell me again what you heard while you were waiting for us. I wish
to have it fresh in mind before I head out to mingle amongst the
ton
tonight.”

Rose could see the maid's assessing gaze in
the looking glass and grinned. “Do not be troubled, I have not lost
my mind, I remember what you said, I just wish to hear it
again.”

Mary huffed a little but proceeded to repeat
her tale. “Like I told you, Miss, I was sitting in the chair the
footman was kind enough to set out for me as I stood in the foyer.
Being my first time there, I wasn't about to go wandering down to
the kitchens without a by your leave.”

“No, of course not, you did just the right
thing.”

“Anyways, I was just sitting there minding my
business, keeping myself entertained by looking around at all the
strange decorations they had on the walls, when a couple of parlor
maids came along to do some dusting. They were giggling to each
other but they seemed nice enough, stopping to say hello before
they went into a room just behind me to do some dusting. They
must've forgot I was there or else they didn't care about airing
their family's dirty laundry because they started talking to each
other about Lady Anne's maid and that she was going to have to be
let go because Lord Austen don't have the money to pay her next
wages. But then they were saying as the earl might be so good as to
hire her on and keep Lady Anne and boot out his lordship as he is
just being a drain on the family and isn't even their relative. But
then they were speculating that maybe Lady Anne will land herself a
fine lord who will fix their affairs all right and tight.”

“Thank you Mary. So none of that was anything
we did not already know. You did not hear any mention of Sir
Broderick or the Duke of Wrentham. But you did prove that your
listening skills are still sharp, so that was excellent work.” The
two young women shared a grin before Rose continued. “Tomorrow we
are going to take tea with Lady Elizabeth. If Lady Anne brings her
maid perhaps you could invite her to go for a walk with you while
you both wait for us. It would be absolutely wonderful if you could
get the girl to confide in you. Anything you could glean from her
would be excellent. If it is true that there is some question of
her getting paid you can be sure she will be happy to tell anything
there is to tell. But of course, try not to be too obvious in your
inquiries.”

“Leave it to me, Miss, I will know just how
to go on.”

“I know, Mary. It is just that this entire
situation has me all at sixes and sevens. A part of me wishes I had
never gone to that wretched musicale. But that reminds me that I
really must call upon Lady Yorkleigh soon. It seemed to me as
though she had a few things to say about the ungentlemanly knight.
Perhaps she could be trusted to help me with this situation. I do
wish to pass this off to someone more capable.” Heaving a
disconsolate sigh she returned her gaze to the mirror as Mary
finally finished tugging and twitching her locks. With a gasp of
delight she clapped her hands. “Oh my goodness, Mary, you have
truly outdone yourself. I could not have asked for anything better.
I do not know how you did it but I actually look like I could be
the belle of the ball. It is miraculous.”

“Get on with you Miss, it ain't no miracle.
You're as pretty as a picture every day. I just did a wee bit of
enhancing. Just keep in mind that it is much more difficult to do
any spying when you're in your looks. People will be remembering
you tonight, you can't go sliding in and out of rooms and
eavesdropping.”

Rose put on a face of disapproval. “Ladies do
not eavesdrop, Mary.”

“Oh yes they do, Miss, just be careful
whatever you are up to.”

Rose bounced up from her seat in front of the
looking glass and threw her arms impulsively around her maid. “You
are a dear and I have no idea what I would do without you.”

Mary grinned mistily at her mistress. “Get on
with you now, Miss, you do not want to wrinkle up your lovely
frock.”

Now Rose grinned as she glanced down at her
beautiful gown. “You are quite correct. My mother would have my
head in a noose if I were to muss it up before we even get to the
ball. It is a lovely gown, is it not? I was not completely sure if
it would be pleasing when I was picking it out at the mantua
makers', but I must say I am well pleased with the result. These
puffed sleeves with the darling piping and these appliqued silk
fans are really beautiful, but it is certainly a good thing that I
will be wearing gloves as this is not the most practical attire for
a cool, late autumn evening, I must say. It does make me wonder who
decides what is fashionable and why I am such a ninny hammer as to
go along with it.”

The two girls shared another grin but then
Rose thought of something else. “Of course, if the ball turns out
to be a crush I will be happy that I am not dressed too warmly. I
shall just have to make sure I am not standing in any drafts and
all shall be well.”

“You will be so busy dancing all night you
won't be able to do any of your investigating.”

Rose grinned at those words. “Would that not
be lovely? I really do not think I could do much investigating at a
ball anyway. It is not at all the same as it was in Vienna. There
were so few people there, not like here where there are such crowds
at every social event. I will of course try to keep my ears open
but I will not mind having a good time.” With a girlish giggle,
Rose gathered her fan, reticule, and wrap. “I have no idea what
time I shall be home and unfortunately I shall probably need help
getting out of this beautiful dress without damaging it.”

“Of course, Miss Rose, I will be here waiting
for you. I will want to hear all about your evening anyway. My only
advice is to have a care to your reputation and steer clear of the
duke.”

“You are a dear,” was all Rosamund had as a
reply as she hurried out the door.

Lady Smythe was waiting for her at the bottom
of the stairs. She was resplendent in jewel tones of crepe. Having
managed to keep her figure despite having three children, she
looked lovely in the high-waisted style of gown that was in
vogue.

“Mama, you look positively smashing this
evening,” Rose declared with a low whistle.

“Do not be vulgar, I pray of you,” Lady
Smythe admonished drily.

“I so envy you your colors, Mama,” Rose
continued, ignoring her mother's obvious ill humor. “This silly
tradition of debutantes not being allowed to wear anything other
than whites or lights is ill advised, if you ask me.”

“Well then it is clearly a good thing that no
one asked you, as it is a lovely tradition and one that you will
abide by.”

“Of course, Mother. I do not have the
fortitude to do otherwise, so you need not trouble yourself. I was
merely trying to compliment you,” she concluded rather airily,
trying not to reveal to her mother that her snippity tones actually
dented her feelings. “Are you ready to depart?”

Lady Smythe did not reply with words, merely
leading the way out of the house to the waiting carriage.

When they arrived at the elegant but large
home housing that evening's festivities Rose was slightly dazzled
by the blaze of what seemed like a million candles shining from
every window. Clearly no expense was being spared this night. She
grinned with anticipation before remembering that it would not do
to seem overly eager. Glancing around discretely as she followed
her mother, Rose admired the paintings on the walls of pastoral
settings, possibly the earl's country seat. Feeling a passing sense
of nostalgia for the country, Rose bolstered her sagging spirits by
looking around in the crowd for Elizabeth.

As her gaze wandered, she felt a prickle
climb the back of her neck and knew instinctively that Alex was
near and quite probably looking at her. An instant after that
awareness their gazes collided. She felt a wave of heat flow
through her body, followed swiftly by one of frigidity. Maintaining
her composure with effort, she kept her face as neutral as possible
but bowed her head discreetly, acknowledging his presence.

****

Alex was amazed that he had known as soon as
they entered the room, although the major domo had not yet
announced them. His eyes had been drawn to the entrance of the
ballroom like a moth to a flame.

He admired the proud tilt of Rose's head as
well as the confusing array upon it that was her hair. He never
could understand female hairstyles but this one seemed to be quite
fetching. Rose was again dressed in the first stare of fashion.
Clearly the Smythes were not in need of a wealthy match for their
only daughter.

But pursuing a match was certainly what they
were about this Season. It stood to reason, of course, he realized
as he pondered the issue.
Rosie must be twenty by now.
She
had missed the chance of a Season a couple years ago due to being
in mourning, he thought sadly. Then she traipsed around Europe with
her father for a couple years.
Now the Smythes seem set on
marrying her off before she gets too long in the tooth
.

She'll do well on the Marriage Mart,
Alex decided, trying to be detached on the subject. With her pretty
face, perfect figure, and elegant bearing she would make an
excellent wife for any nobleman.
And she no doubt has a generous
dowry, which would only sweeten the pot. Of course, the fact that
she has opinions and doesn't mind overmuch sharing them could be a
bit of problem for some gentlemen,
he mused as he watched her
wend her way through the milling crowd.

Alex watched as Rose left her mother seated
with the other matrons before she strode with purpose in the
direction of where he had last seen Lady Elizabeth. He wondered if
she had confided in her friend about “the situation.” He was not
left to wonder for long, when he caught Elizabeth's glance just as
Rose met up with her. Alex had to stifle his smile of amusement as
Lady Elizabeth blushed at being caught looking at him. Rose was not
so missish. Seeing the look upon her friend's face, she followed
her gaze and caught Alex's eye.

Alex felt the contact almost like a physical
blow. His stomach turned over and he felt a prickle at the back of
his eyes. He bowed to her in acknowledgement but then tore his gaze
away from her. This would just not do. He was never so happy to see
anyone in all his life as he was when Lord Dunbar turned up at his
elbow.

“There you are, Your Grace,” Wesley declared
jovially. “I was wondering if I would be able to find you in such a
crush, but I should have remembered that with your height you are
easy enough to locate in a crowd.”

Alex, used to comments about his height,
managed to keep a pleasant smile plastered to his face as he
reconsidered how happy he was to see his friend.

Wesley was continuing to prattle. “I was
uncertain if you would even turn up this evening. Thought you might
be too caught up in your mystery.”

The duke cast his friend a quelling glance,
hoping he was not being overheard. He absolutely did not want word
to get around Town that there was some sort of mystery surrounding
the Duke of Wrentham. He could just imagine the uproar that would
cause and he felt a shiver of dread slither down his back.

“Are you in your cups, my lord?” he asked
suppressively.

“Whatever do you mean?” Wesley appeared
surprised by the implications.

“Your discretion is even less than usual. I
would have expected a touch more discernment from you.”