Page 18 of His Grace, the Duke
“If you care for them, which I know you do, you’ll leave them to manage their own... affair,” he finished with a smile. At the sound of James’ frustrated groan, he snatched up his hat and slipped out of the room.
10
Rosalie
Rosalie and Burkereturned to Corbin House with the setting sun.
“Welcome back, miss,” said a tall footman, taking the small traveling case she offered him.
“Have they already rung the gong?” Burke asked, handing over his great coat to the other footman.
“Yes, sir. Lord James and the lieutenant are in the drawing room. Dinner is about to be served.”
The heels of Burke’s boots clicked sharply on the marble floor as he swept across the entry hall.
“Oh, Burke, we’re so late,” Rosalie cried, sticking close to his side as he led the way through the quiet house. She hadn’t meant for them to be out so late, but traffic from Cheapside to Mayfair had been terrible.
“We can have dinner delayed if you’d like to change,” the taller footman said, almost jogging at Burke’s side.
“Not necessary,” Burke replied. “We’ll go straight in.”
Rosalie’s heart fluttered with each step she took, knowingshe was about to see James and Renley again. She didn’t feel prepared to survive a dinner with all three men together.
There was no time to attempt an escape before Burke was shoving his way through the door.
“Mr. Burke and Miss Harrow,” called the footman. His powdered wig tipped askew as he lunged forward to catch the closing door before it hit Rosalie.
Inside the spacious drawing room, James and Renley scrambled to their feet. They sat at the far end of the room on a pair of sofas. Unlike Burke and Rosalie, they were both dressed for dinner—tailored black coats and trim pants with neutral waistcoats, starched collars, and crisp white cravats.
James had his auburn curls brushed and tucked behind his ears. His fierce green eyes locked on her in an instant. “Finally,” he called in welcome, setting down his glass of wine. His smile fell as he glanced from Rosalie to Burke... Burke, who was barreling towards him.
“Oh shit,” Renley muttered, slapping his drink down and reaching out for Burke’s arm as he passed. “Burke—don’t—”
Burke shoved past him.
“Burke,no,” Rosalie cried, running after him.
“You know I’m sorry,” James offered, making no attempt to move away or even raise his hands.
In a fit of speed she didn’t know she possessed, Rosalie raced around the sofa and flung herself in front of James just in time. She stretched her arms wide, using her body as a human shield between the two men. “Burke, that is enough—”
“Get out of my way,” he growled, hands reaching out as if he meant to physically move her aside.
“James is not to blame for what happened,” she cried.
James put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay... step aside.”
“No!” She pressed into him, arms still wide.
Renley placed a hand on Burke’s shoulder. “Come on, it’s not worth it.”
“Rosalie, move,” Burke said again. “Someone is getting punished for this—”
“Then punishme!”
James’ hand went stiff on her shoulder. Across from her, Burke and Renley looked at her with wide eyes. A tense moment stretched between them all as her words hung in the air.
Burke’s eyes narrowed. “What did you just say?”
