Page 19 of The Penitent Duke
“Beforethey were wed,” Lady Eleanor continued, quickly. “The Duke’s estate is not far from London and he was determined to ride back to his house from town. Lord Radcliffe told me that Lady Pearl wasalsodetermined to join him, though the Duke was reluctant to permit her. The betrothal was arranged between the Duke and Lady Pearl’s brother, you understand, and it seemed to Lord Radcliffe that the Duke was delighted by her interest in riding with him. Out of the two of them, Lady Pearl was not as eager to wed as the Duke so mayhap that interest was the reason for his agreement for, in the end, shedidjoin him and together, the two were riding back to his estate.” There came a slight catch into Lady Eleanor’s voice. “Something happened. I do not know what precisely, for Lord Radcliffe would not tell me all, but Lady Pearl met a most unfortunate demise – and the Duke of Strathmore blamed himself for it.”
“Goodness,” Rosalind breathed, one hand pressed lightly to her stomach. “How utterly dreadful.”
Lady Eleanor nodded, sitting back a little in her chair, her face filled with sorrow. “Lord Radcliffe was most persistent in his point that the Duke of Strathmore wasnotto blame for what happened, but that because the Duke himself was insistent upon taking on the guilt, he then shut himself away from all good company for the last few years. He has become increasingly morose and disillusioned, Lord Radcliffe states, though he himself has tried a good many times to pull him from the darkness with, he surrounds himself.”
“And with very little success, I might surmise?”
With a nod, Lady Eleanor let out a small sigh. “It is a reason for his manner, indeed, but it is not an excuse. Though I am glad that I have been able to inform you about this for it is important, I think, that you understand the situation he has come from – and the guilt he continues to bear.”
Rosalind swallowed against a sudden, forceful ache in her throat. “I am very grateful to you for telling me, Eleanor. It is not something he would have spoken of himself, I am quite sure!”
Lady Eleanor smiled sadly. “I am afraid you are quite correct in your thinking there, Rosalind.”
“I will have to speak of it with him.”
Her friend’s eyes rounded. “You would ask him about all I have told you?”
“I would.” Rosalind lifted her shoulders and then let them fall. “If he wishes to marry me, if he wishes for me to be his bride, then I cannot see why we would keep any secrets from one another. If this is something that weighs upon him heavily, something that would linger upon his shoulders even if we were to wed, then I should like to know of it. I will not say that you have told me of it, of course, for I do not want him to think poorly of you. Rather, I will simply speak of it as though I have known from the gossip of thetonthat there was this most difficult circumstance in his past.”
“I can see why you would wish to speak with him about it but I would advise caution,” Lady Eleanor answered, rising from her chair. “Excuse me for a moment, would you? I must go to the private parlor.”
Rosalind nodded and then continued on with her ice, her mind filled with a good many thoughts as regarded the Duke of Strathmore. Surely, he was rude and irritating and utterly impolite but now, having heard the pains of what he had endured, Rosalind’s heart held a fresh sympathy for him. Lady Eleanor was correct in stating that such a tragedy could not be used as an excuse for his behavior towards her but it certainly did help her to understand him a little better.
“Might I be so bold as to sit with you, Lady Rosalind?”
Starting in surprise, Rosalind looked into the face of a gentleman she did not recognize, searching his face for any hint of distinguishing marks by which she might remember their introduction.
“The Earl of Westlake.” He inclined his head, his light brown hair falling over his forehead and nearly into his eyes, though he smoothed it back to one side just as quickly. “We were introduced last Season, Lady Rosalind, though I will not hold it against you if you have forgotten me. There were so many introductions last Season and I did not linger in London for long.”
Try as she might, Rosalind could not recall the gentleman’s face but nevertheless, she smiled, nodded and then gestured for him to be seated. “But of course. Lady Eleanor will return in a moment but until she does, you are most welcome to join me.”
“I thank you.” Lord Westlake sat down quickly, as though eager to have as much time in her company as possible before Lady Eleanorreturned. “It is very good to see you again, Lady Rosalind. I do hope that society has been treating you well these last few days?”
At this, Rosalind immediately frowned, wondering if he was referring to her brother and the difficulties that his foolishness had brought her.
“I know that there have been some whispers as regards… certain things,” Lord Westlake continued, answering her question before she had even spoken it. “I should not like to join in those whispers, however. I assure you that is not the purpose of my coming to speak with you.”
“Then what is?” Feeling a little uneasy, Rosalind lifted her chin just a little.
“Well, truth be told, I did notice a small interaction between the Duke of Strathmore and yourself recently,” the gentleman replied as a shivering shock rippled over Rosalind’s skin. “As I have said, I have no interest in sharing what I witnessed with anyone, I only sought to make certain that you garnered no lasting injury from that encounter.”
“Oh.” Rosalind breathed a little more easily now, hearing his explanation. “That is very considerate of you, Lord Westlake. I am quite well, I thank you.”
He smiled and a light came into his brown eyes. “But of course.” His smile began to fade away. “It was the most disgraceful behaviour I have ever seen from a gentleman, I must say. I was almost about to say something when I saw that another gentleman chose to lead yourself and another away.”
“That was Lord Radcliffe and Lady Eleanor,” Rosalind told him, a good deal more at ease now. “It was a difficult conversation, certainly, but one that was brought to an end rather swiftly.”
“That is good.”
“And you are very kind to make certain I am faring well,” Rosalind continued, hoping that what Lord Westlake said as regarded not whispering rumors to any of thetonwas true. “I thank you.” She smiled only to see Lady Eleanor approaching, a look of surprise on her face. “Lord Westlake, might I introduce my friend, Lady Eleanor? Eleanor, this is the Earl of Westlake.”
There was no immediate smile on Lady Eleanor’s face, which surprised Rosalind. “Good afternoon, Lord Westlake,” she answered, a little coolly. “I believe that you are sitting in my seat.”
Lord Westlake immediately jumped up, apologizing profusely. Lady Eleanor took her seat quickly, her light smile still pinned to her face though there was no true light in her eyes as though she did not want Lord Westlake’s company.
“I shall depart now and permit you to carry on your conversation without my interrupting presence,” Lord Westlake said, a smile on his face as he inclined his head. “Thank you for tolerating me, Lady Rosalind. Good afternoon, Lady Eleanor.”
“Good afternoon.” Rosalind smiled and then watched as he took his leave. It was only when he quit Gunter’s entirely that she turned to her friend, a frown pulling into her expression. “Whatever is the matter? You did not seem to like Lord Westlake in the least!”
