Page 150 of His Grace, the Duke
The Queen raised an imperious brow. “Well, duke? Make your oath before all those assembled.”
James dropped to one knee and spoke in a loud and clear voice. “I, James Richard Eustace Corbin, do swear that I willbe faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George the Third, and all his heirs and successors, upholding my role as Duke of Norland. So help me God.”
The Queen nodded. “Then rise, Duke, and do your duty to the Crown.”
James got to his feet.
Rosalie squeezed tighter to Burke’s and Tom’s hands as he faced the crowd. Squaring his shoulders, he called out in a deep voice, “Long live the King!”
“Long live the King!”
“Long live the King!”
“Long live the King!”
“And long live the Duke of Norland,” called a deep voice from the back.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
71
Rosalie
Rosalie clung toBurke and Tom as the crowd surged out the doors of the church. By the time they made it outside, James and the Queen were gone, whisked away in carriages. The crowd outside had more than doubled, filling the streets. They were jubilant at the sight of their Queen. Word spread like wildfire about James, leaving all to gossip and exclaim.
“Hurry,” Burke muttered, shouldering his way forward, holding tight to Rosalie’s arm. Tom boxed her in from behind as they pushed their way towards one of the waiting carriages. The footmen wearing the Corbin livery stood back and Burke helped her in.
From inside the carriage, eager hands reached for her. “Oh, Miss Harrow, it is pandemonium out there,” cried Mariah, pulling her safely inside. She was soon wedged on the bench seat next to the Swindons, their mother already seated across from them, Blanche at her side.
Rosalie spun for the door, still holding to Burke’s hand. “Wait—”
“We’ll meet you at the house,” he said, letting her go as the footman shut the door with a snap.
“Drive on!” Tom barked, rapping the side of the carriage with his fist.
The coachman called to the horses and the carriage lurched forward, wheels creaking on the cobblestones. Rosalie quickly lost view of her men in the sea of faces.
All the ladies exclaimed about the sudden change of events as Rosalie’s mind spun faster than the carriage wheels. James had looked at her. He held her gaze and nodded. What did it mean? Was he pleased? Was he angry with her? Did he resent her?
***
They arrived back in no time, all the ladies spilling out of the carriage. Inside, the house was in uproar as servants darted about, whispering excitedly.
“Mrs. Robbins, what’s happening?” Rosalie called, catching the lady by the arm as she rushed past.
“Oh, Miss Harrow, we just heard the news. It’s so wonderful—we’ve been told to prepare for a larger party, and we have no time. Even now they are on our doorstep!” she cried, hurrying away, calling out orders to maids and footmen as she went.
Already, guests were arriving, eager to celebrate the investiture of the new duke (and gossip about the fate of the old one). Rosalie didn’t miss how the subtle touches of a wedding ceremony were quickly being altered. Before her eyes, three men swept past and snatched up the large wedding cake, shuffling away with it balanced between them. She spun on her heel, trying to look everywhere at once.
Where was James? Had he already returned? Was he somewhere in the house? And where was poor George? She wove through the crowd, looking for a familiar face. Each moment, more guests seemed to appear. A footman passed with a tray, and she snagged a glass of champagne. Before she could get it to her lips, it was snatched from her hand.
“Give me that,” Olivia panted, draining the flute in three gulps. She looked flushed, anxious.
“Olivia, are you—”
“This isyourfault,” she hissed, shoving the empty glass back at her.
Rosalie’s heart stilled. “My fault?” To own the truth, at that moment Olivia could have been referencing any number of things and be correct. The name Burke gave her all those weeks ago seemed fitting at last. She was the siren who sat upon the jagged rocks, luring all men to their demise.
