The Duke Conspiracy (31 page)

“Surely you realize that I cannot be seen
speaking to him. We are sworn enemies.”

“You cannot be serious,” Wesley declared with
chagrin. “You have spent much of the past two weeks in each other's
company, working to solve a common problem. That does not sound
like the behavior of sworn enemies.”

“Be that as it may, we are, or rather our
families are, which is pretty much the same thing. We cannot be
seen to be speaking. Our parents would have apoplexy.”

“This is the daftest situation I have ever
heard of. You should all be sharing your grief, not blaming each
other for it.” Wesley's words made Rose realize he would never
understand.

“You do not know what you are talking about,
my lord,” Rose dismissed his comments and tried to turn the
subject. “Anyhow, you have fulfilled your duty and passed me the
duke's message. I will be on my best behavior, and do my utmost to
be on guard lest the devilish knight should be after me.”

“I beg of you, Miss Rose, do not make light
of this. You really could be in danger.”

“Mayhap you are right, my lord, but my father
is now aware of the situation. He will come up with a solution
before Broderick can do any of the nefarious things he might have
had planned.”

“But did you not say that your father is
leaving on the morrow for Paris? If he is not here, how will you be
protected if Broderick does not follow him to Paris, or if he sets
some sort of action against you?”

Rose could see that the viscount really was
quite serious and was concerned for her safety. A niggle of doubt
crept into her consciousness. She really ought to take offense at
the man for doubting her ability to take care of herself, but his
concern for her was endearing in an overbearing sort of way. She
made an effort to be conciliatory. “Have no fear, my lord. I assure
you I will be careful. And I promise to call on your help should
the need arise.” Seeing that he still looked uneasy, Rose shrugged.
“There is not much else I can do, my lord. My father has promised
to look into the situation and I am quite certain he will not leave
me here in danger or unprotected. I appreciate your concern over
me, but I really do not think there is a need for you to be overly
anxious on my behalf.”

With relief Rose saw that Lord Dunbar finally
looked appeased and allowed the subject to drop. They rode around
the Park in companionable silence, breaking it periodically to make
various innocuous comments about the weather or the people they
encountered. Finally, as they neared the gateway that they had
entered, Rose finally spoke.

“This has been lovely, my lord. Thank you so
much for inviting me for a drive, but I do believe I ought to be
returning home.”

Wesley blushed slightly. “I guess I should
not monopolize any more of your time.”

Rose laughed with glee. “You, my lord, are
the most entertaining gentleman I have met. You endeavor to appear
so manly and unconcerned, but deep inside you are the sweetest man
around.”

Wesley's blush deepened and he pulled a face
at her. “I beg of you to keep your voice down, or you shall leave
my reputation in tatters.” He quickly spoiled the effect by
grinning at her, which she swiftly returned.

“Shall we see you tonight at the Rotherhams'
ball?” Wesley changed the subject by inquiring politely.

“Are you wanting to watch over me to ensure
my safety?” Rose teased. When he merely shook his head at her she
continued. “I am uncertain about my plans for the evening at this
point, my lord. I had been planning to attend but now it depends on
my father's actions. I am most eager to know what has been
decided.”

“If you do make it to the Rotherhams', would
you save a dance for me?” Lord Dunbar asked politely.

Rose now looked at the viscount searchingly.
“Are you trying to turn me up sweet, my lord?”

Wesley again barked out a laugh he could not
contain. “I am merely trying to ensure we have an opportunity for
conversation this evening. If you cannot speak to Wrentham
yourself, you could pass a message to him through me.”

Rose felt the heat rising in her cheeks and
she stammered out a reply. “My apologies, my lord, I did not mean
to be so forward.”

Wesley grinned at his companion. “Absolutely
no apologies required, my dear girl. I suspect we are of the same
mind that we need to ensure this matter is taken care of before we
can concentrate on other things. I know this has been more your and
Wrentham's situation, but I feel tied up in it too since I know
about it.” He paused for a moment as he steered his cattle around a
crowded section of street. Rose was unsure how to read his
expression when he looked back at her. “Mayhap when this is all
said and done I shall call upon you again.”

Rose was undecided how she felt about the
possibility of the viscount “calling upon” her so she made light of
his comments. “And mayhap I shall be at home to visitors when you
call, my lord.”

The viscount chuckled deeply. “Now you are
the one who is a complete hand, Miss Rosamund Smythe.”

Rose grinned as they neared her home. “You
are a good friend, my lord.”

Wesley smiled ironically. “That I am, miss,
thank you for noticing.”

Rose couldn't help the girlish giggle that
escaped her lips just before he handed her down in front of the
Smythes' townhouse. “Thank you, my lord, truly. I had a lovely
afternoon and it helped to pass the time so I did not lose my mind
completely while I waited for news from my father.” Rose looked
toward her front door and then back up at the viscount. “I promise
I shall do my best to share that dance with you tonight.”

Wesley squeezed her hand before letting her
go. Rose was glad he did not bother to comment.
What
is
there left to say?
she asked herself
ironically.

Lifting her skirts, Rose dashed up the
stairs, eager to see if her father had any news to share with
her.

“Good afternoon, Walter. Is my father
home?”

“He is not, Miss, but he did leave a message
for you,” the butler intoned importantly before pausing, leaving
Rose to prompt.

“What is the message?” Rose was near the end
of her patience.

“He said for you to go about your regular
activities and to just leave a message here for him if you are to
go out. He was unsure how long he would be, but he was quite clear
that he wishes to speak with you before he leaves for Paris.”

Rose was deeply disappointed. Now that she
had shared the information with her father she was terribly anxious
to find out what she should do next. Even if the direction was that
she was to do nothing, she dearly hoped she would at least be
informed about what others were going to be doing, otherwise she
would not be able to rest easy. The thought of going to a ball this
evening, with this all hanging over her unresolved, was not at all
an appealing prospect. With a mental shrug she reminded herself
that it had been this way in Vienna as well.
It seems to be the
lot of lady spies
, she thought wryly, which brought a smile to
her face, and she was able to leave the butler in peace without
badgering him for any more information. “Thank you, Walter. For now
I shall be in my chamber, if my father should return and want to
speak with me. Later I will be going out to attend the Rotherham
ball.”

“Very well, Miss.”

Now sober, Rose climbed the stairs deep in
thought. She wished fervently that she could summon Alex. It was
such a pity their two families had fallen into such a state. Mayhap
Wesley and Elizabeth were right and they should be mourning
together instead of blaming each other. Really, what did it matter
if it was their son's fault that her brother was dead? Had he not
paid the ultimate price by dying as well? Rose shook her head sadly
at her thoughts. Even if she could convince her own heart to
forgive the Wrenthams, she was most certain that her parents would
not be swayed. It would matter not a jot that she was losing her
heart to the duke.

“Now, where did that thought come from?” Rose
asked herself, speaking aloud in her shock.

“What thought, Miss?” Mary asked, as Rose had
already reached her room by this point.

Rose could feel the heat rising in her cheeks
as she glanced quickly at her maid. “I was just thinking out loud,
Mary, never mind me.”

“It sounds as though your thoughts were
surprising even to you, Miss,” Mary commented.

“Indeed they were, Mary. But never mind about
that, do you know anything more since I left?”

“I am sad to report that, no, I don't, Miss.
You are the only one in this family who confides so thoroughly in
me. Seems to me as though your father don't confide in anyone if he
can help it, so I never expect to hear too much from him.”

Rose grinned. “I suspect you are right in
your assessment of my father. He does like to hold his own council.
I guess he realizes he is the smartest man he knows.”

“I'm not disputing how smart he is, Miss
Rose, but it does seem to me that everyone needs to bounce their
ideas off someone else every now and again.”

“That is very true indeed, Mary. Speaking of
that, have you had a chance to think much more on who you consider
might be a good suitor for me?” Rose was happy to change the
subject. Debating her father's secretive disposition would
accomplish nothing except frustration and she really did need to
get on with the main reason for coming for the Season.

Rose's words accomplished their purpose as
Mary squealed and did a little dance. “Oh Miss, thank you for
asking me. I was uncertain if it was my place to bring it up but I
surely have been thinking on it.”

“Mary, my dear, you know we are friends. When
we are alone you need not concern yourself about whether or not it
is your place to discuss any subject, I can assure you, but on
second thought, it is good that you kept it to yourself. I might
not have been in the right frame of mind to consider your words on
another day. But right now I need to put my mind to something, and
this seems as good of a time as any to consider my matrimonial
prospects. So tell me, is there anyone in particular that you think
would be my perfect match?”

“Now, before we start I want you to know that
I have given this a great deal of thought. I have known you since
you were a girl and I dearly want you to be happy.”

Rose impulsively threw her arms around the
older girl, giving her a warm hug while they both grew misty eyed.
“I know, Mary, and I truly appreciate it. There are very few people
that I trust as much as I do you.”

“Then you will pardon me for saying that I
think the Duke of Wrentham would be the perfect match for you.”

In the blink of an eye the warm camaraderie
dissipated. Rose's blush reached her roots as she launched into
speech. “How could you possibly say that, Mary?” she demanded
heatedly, ignoring the fact that that thought had already crossed
her mind more than once. Having someone else say it made it
terrifyingly real.

“Hear me out, Miss. I know everyone is angry
about the young master's death and you all blame the Wrenthams for
it, but what if you're wrong? What if it wasn't Milord Maxwell's
fault? And even if it was, why does that have to condemn the rest
of you to being sworn enemies for the rest of your days? You all
were the best of friends for eons, before the two scalawags went
off to the war.” Mary paused a moment before she continued in a
softer, kindly voice. “And I've seen you with him, Rosie. Your face
is so open and happy when you are in His Grace's presence. You get
along so well, and he's one of the most handsome men I've ever seen
besides being a duke. Seems to me as though it would be the perfect
match for you.”

“I thought you were just as dead set against
the Wrenthams as the rest of the household, Mary,” Rose protested,
without disputing the truth of Mary's words.

Mary shrugged. “I was, but when you asked me
to think on who would be a good match for you, I tried to be as
honest as I possibly could be. This is the conclusion I came
to.”

Rose took a deep breath and held it for a
couple of beats before replying. “Well, I appreciate your honesty,
Mary. Did you by any chance come up with a second choice because I
am quite certain I shall not be able to follow your advice with
your first suggestion.”

Mary smiled sadly. “I figured as much, Miss
Rose so yes, I did think of a few other options.” Pausing to
collect her thoughts, Mary continued. “The young gentleman who came
to take you riding seemed to me to be a good, solid second
choice.”

“Lord Dunbar?” Rose asked in surprise. “Why
do you pick him for me?”

“His servants speak highly of him, Miss,
which is a rarity these days. His horses appear well cared for as
well. This tells me he is a kind man who does not mistreat those in
his control, which if you don't mind me saying so, is what you will
be as a wife.”

Rose nodded soberly as she mulled over her
maid's words. She had made a good choice when asking her maid to
think over this subject. She obviously had a much different
perspective than anyone in Society, but it seemed a lot more useful
than someone commenting on the cut of a gentleman's coat or the
shine on his new carriage. Mary's observations actually spoke to
how a girl might expect to be treated should she accept a
gentleman's proposal. Rose admitted to herself that she had never
thought about that before. Her main concerns had been whether or
not the gentleman was a good conversationalist. While that was
still a factor for her, she really ought to consider what else Mary
had to say.

“Thank you so much for sharing your views
with me, Mary dear. Was there anyone else?”

“I actually did not come up with a very long
list, Miss, I am sorry to tell you. It is surprising how few
gentlemen stand very high in their servant's opinion. And of
course, I was rather picky. I wanted only those gentlemen who were
known to be heavy in the pocket. I also only looked at those with
titles. And I didn't want anyone too long in the tooth either.”