Page 6 of The Penitent Duke
Rosalind could not speak, such was her grief. Instead, she buried her face in her hands and began to weep with an openness that she had been unable to reveal to anyone as yet. Her friend said nothing but put one arm around Rosalind’s shoulders, clearly willing just to let her cry until she was finally able to reveal all.
“Whatever has happened, I will be here to support you,” Lady Eleanor murmured, as Rosalind wiped at her eyes, sniffing hard as her bedraggled handkerchief was clutched tightly in her hands. “Even if it is something truly dreadful!”
Closing her eyes, Rosalind sniffed again but finally managed to speak. “I am ruined, I think, though not by anything I have done.”
This made a frown dart across her friend’s face. “Then your brother.”
“How did you know?” Surprise stopped Rosalind’s grief for a moment as Eleanor shook her head.
“Fond as I am of your brother, he has always been something of a liability, given his clear desire to behave just as he pleases,” she said, with a slight gruffness to her tone. “I do not mean to speak ill of him but I am sure you know what I mean.”
Rosalind nodded slowly. “I suppose I do.”
“I presume I am correct?”
Again, Rosalind nodded. “Yes, you are. He has gambled foolishly, drunk too much liquor and has been caught in the company of a rich widow.” She winced as she spoke, her face flaming. “Thetonwill not be silent about his actions, I am sure, and therefore, the shame which he brings to his own reputation will also be brought to mine.”
Lady Eleanor let out a slow breath, shaking her head for what was now the second time. “Goodness. I am sorry to hear that.”
“I do not think I will be able to find a match,” Rosalind continued, her voice rasping now as she saw her friend’s eyes flare. “As soon as thetonhear of this, they will, no doubt, think just as ill of me as they do of him – and then what shall I do? I fear for Emilia too.”
“That is a great difficulty indeed,” Lady Eleanor murmured, gentle lines sweeping across her forehead. “Thetonought not to think so poorly of you, of course, for you have done nothing wrong but alas, such is the way of things.”
“Then you agree?” Rosalind asked, her voice breaking as fresh tears poured into her eyes. “I am quite without hope?”
Lady Eleanor turned back to face her, her eyes wide again, her hands reaching out to clasp Rosalind’s. “No, indeed not! You are not without hope. I am sure that there will be some gentleman in London who will be more than willing to look past such whispers and see you!”
This did not bring Rosalind any sort of encouragement. “I do not know where I would evenfindsuch a gentleman! And if he were willing to ignore the whispers of theton, then I might find that the reason he is so willing is because he has his own faults hidden also – and expectsmenot to see them either!” Her chest grew tight, her breathing rapid as she tried to fight the sudden sense of panic which ripped through her. “I am sure that there is nothing for me, now! I shall be left alone in the world, left to be a spinster and nothing more! I shall not have the family and the home I have longed for, I shall not have the affection of a gentleman to warm my heart. Instead, there is nothing but coldness and darkness waiting for me.”So saying, she dropped her head and was almost about to break down into yet more tears, only for Lady Eleanor to stop her.
“Do not say such things! You cannot give up already!”
Rosalind shook her head. “I know that you are doing your best to be encouraging, my dear friend but there are some circumstances where the worst of things is all that one has.”
“No. Come now, you cannot give up.” Refusing to accept Rosalind’s concern, Lady Eleanor squeezed Rosalind’s hands again, tightly. “In fact, I have only just become acquainted with a gentleman who has a friend here in London. A friend who is high titled, unattached and does not appear to care much for what society might think!”
Again, a flicker of hope began to build in Rosalind’s chest but she dampened it. “Ugly? In looks or behaviour?”
“I would not say ugly, no.” Lady Eleanor tipped her head, considering. “He is not the most talkative gentleman but he was not rude when I spoke with him. It seemed to me, however, that he had no interest in being amongst society and because of that, I am sure he will think very little of any sort of gossip as well.” Her smile lifted Rosalind’s heart just a little but she looked away, quite sure that this gentleman would still have no interest in her.
“The Duke of Strathmore, I believe,” Lady Elanor continued, as Rosalind’s eyebrows shot upwards. “As I have said, he was very quiet and did not say a great deal at all, though it certainly did appear as though he were a little frustrated at times.”
“Frustrated about what?”
“I do not know.” Lady Eleanor grinned suddenly. “Mayhap you will be able to ask him.”
Rosalind wanted to refuse, wanted to tell her friend that she had no interest in speaking with a quiet, easily irritated gentleman but the quiet part of her heart reminded her that she had very little choice. “I suppose it would be wise to be introduced.”
“Excellent.” Lady Eleanor smiled suddenly, then released Rosalind’s hand. “I am sure that this will not be the end for you, my dear friend. Despite this difficulty, you may find that you are just as much in society as you ever were. It may not be as terrible as you think.”
Rosalind tried to find a little encouragement in her friend’s words, tried to imagine herself greeting this gentleman and finding a flicker of interest in his eyes but all of her attempts fell flat. Instead, she was left struggling in the dark, her throat aching, her tears shedding still as her friend handed her a new handkerchief, ready to catch them.
“I will be by your side,” Lady Eleanor whispered as Rosalind nodded, wiping at her eyes again. “I am confident that all shall turn out for the best.”
Chapter Three
Lucian scowled. “I am quite certain that I have told you repeatedly that I do notwantto be in society.”
“And yet, you are.” Lord Radcliffe shrugged as Lucian gestured to the footman to bring him another brandy, despising the lightness of his friend’s voice. Whites had been his refuge for the last hour, only for Lord Radcliffe to come in, spy him and then sit down without so much as a question as to whether or not Lucian desired company.
