Page 12 of A Slumber for a Duke

“You poor dear. Are you alright?” Even in front of her husband, Margaret put her arm around Rose’s shoulder to take a closer look.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Jonathan pushed his strong body off the wall. Rose had heard the rumors of his amnesia but had never seen any signs of anything save a strong, competent duke. Not to mention, one absolutely in love with his wife.

“Take yourself inside. Warm up,” the strong voice resounded off the stone wall.

“I’m quite alright, thank you, Your Grace.” Rose dipped a curtsy.

Then, and it couldn’t have been much worse timing if they had tried for it, Jonathan happened to see Andrew taking a path toward the front door.

“Ho! Marland! It’s about time you arrived.” The shout startled Andrew, but it would be rude to ignore the greeting. As Andrew walked over, Jonathan continued his ribbing. “You realize it’s nearly Christmas now, don’t you?”

Andrew had plastered a smile on his face. How Rose could tell that after having known him such a short time was impossibly revealing, but she gave it no thought.

“Good to be here. Finally.”

“Just arrived?” Jonathan looked around for a carriage. The front of the estate was not well within sight. All the same, Rose noticed Margaret sidle over to Jonathan and place a staying hand on his arm.

“You are just in time too, Marland. We’re about to all go on a lovely sleigh ride.”

Rose had intended to sneak inside unseen. Not seen by everyone. Well, soon to be everyone joining the impromptu sleigh ride that is. The sleigh was pulling around the corner, and guests were pouring out from various doors.

As the crowd grew, Rose hoped to disappear, as per her original plan.

“Come dear, you must join us. You’ve had a terribly exhausting night, no doubt.” Margaret had one hand still on Jonathan’s forearm, and the other arm wrapped around Rose’s waist. There was no escape. There was also little barrier between the threesome, so she clearly made out the sotto voce conversation between the duke and his duchess.

Jonathan whispered to Margaret, “You’re just like your mother. You can’t help yourself can you?”

“I cannot. But look how Adeline and Luke turned out. I’m doing a good thing.”

“Yes, you are. And that’s only one of the reasons why I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Rose closed her eyes, as if that could tune out the conversation. She had no clue what the reference to Adeline and Luke meant, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Normally, she admired the intimacy of the love match between Margaret and Jonathan, but this morning she was particularly sensitive to the idea of love. Having just prevented herself from falling for a duke, she needed a little space from the idea of love. Alas, such protective planning was not in the stars for her.

Margaret was clearly taking charge of the seating in the sleigh. She placed herself and Jonathan opposite Lady Antonia and the Duke of Bedford.

As the sleigh filled up, the shrill voice of Lady Antonia punctured the air, “There’s not enough room foreveryone.” Upon the last word, her gaze drifted from Adeline and fell hard on Rose.

“Don’t be silly. Of course there’s room. We’ll all just sit closer together. It will keep us all warmer anyway.”

“Excellent plan, darling,” Jonathan drew his wife down to his side. “Find your seats everyone.”

Adeline and Luke split up to sit on either side of the sleigh so that Rose and Andrew could each sit next to them, and Rose observed the brightest grin on Adeline’s face.

Taking her seat, she asked her friend, “What’s happened? Why are you so happy?” Adeline stifled a squeal. It was the last sound Rose had ever expected from her friend.

“I’m engaged,” she said in a gruff whisper.

“Engaged?” Rose’s voice carried further than she had planned, and her hands shot over her mouth.

“It’s not news for anyone here,” Adeline passed a glance around the sleigh. “They all know.”

“They do?”

Stray hairs bounced around Adeline’s face. “It happened last night.”

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