Page 21 of His Grace, the Duke
“Very good, sir.”
Rosalie watched the footmen file out of the dining room through a side door. The butler was the last to leave, giving everything a final appraising look before he closed the door with a soft snap. That sound let out all the stifling tension in the room. Burke loosened the tie of his cravat. James’ shoulders fell as he sank back into his chair, glass of wine in hand.
Renley was the only one to help himself to more food. He speared the chicken with his fork, piling a few shaved slices onto his plate. “So... what happened last night?”
James’ face was a mask of cool, calm. Rosalie was completely unprepared when he held her gaze and said, “Well, for starters, Burke and Rosalie fucked on the piano.”
11
Rosalie
Renley’s eyes blewwide as he glanced from Rosalie to Burke. “You didwhat?”
“They were together last night in the music room. All over the music room, in fact,” James replied.
Rosalie shut her eyes tight, unable to meet Renley’s piercing gaze.
“That’s enough, James,” Burke growled.
“This happened last night? Where the hell was I?” said Renley.
Burke leaned forward, elbows on the table. “I think it’s only fair to start at the beginning. We wouldn’t want to leave anything out... like James accosting Rosalie in the library.”
“What?” Renley bellowed.
Perhaps, if she tried hard enough, Rosalie could self-combust in her chair. That would surely get her out of this situation...
“Is that what you told him?” James murmured.
“Of course, she told me,” Burke replied. “We have no secrets.”
Rosalie met James’ eyes and saw the pain there, the confusion.
He raised a brow in quiet indignation. “I accosted you?”
She let out a breath. “I never said that. I said you kissed me—I—wekissed.”
“So... you kissed?” Renley interjected, looking between them. “Is that all? Just a kiss?”
James was the first to look away, eyes back on his uneaten plate of food. “Just a kiss,” he muttered. “It didn’t mean anything. I was angry about George. She caught me at the wrong time.”
Rosalie’s heart sank.Just a kiss?She still felt the weight of his hips pressing her into the bookcase. She was clinging to it by the end, as he was clinging to her. Oh, yes, just a kiss. A kiss she’d kiss every night of her dreaming. Meanwhile, James wouldn’t look at her. He wanted it forgotten, for she was wholly unsuitable. A more imperfect match for the Right Honorable Viscount Finchley there could never be than Rosalie Harrow with her empty pockets, loose morals, and total lack of social standing.
James looked past an indignant Renley, eyes only for Burke. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, and it won’t happen again.”
“I won’t hold you to that,” Burke replied, making Rosalie’s breath catch in her throat. “I just need to know,” he added. He leaned towards James, grey eyes locked on his dearest friend. “Don’t hide things from me, James. And don’t run from me ever again... or the next time I catch you, I’ll cut off your goddamn legs. Just try and run then.”
The corner of James’ mouth quirked into a smile. “Fine.”
“How touching,” Renley replied with an eye roll, reachingpast Burke for the tray of petits fours. “Can we go back to you and Rosalie in the music room?”
“No, we cannot!” Rosalie cried. “There is only one issue that matters right now, and that is Burke’s engagement to Oliva Rutledge. They cannot possibly be expected to go through with it. We need a plan.” At this, she looked to James, who was still pointedly avoiding her gaze.
“Can’t they just...notget married?” Renley said with a shrug. “George’s nuptials will overshadow all else, and Burke and Lady Gorgon can go their separate ways.”
The look of hope in Burke’s eyes made Rosalie grimace. “If only it could be that simple,” she murmured.
Renley frowned. “I don’t understand the problem—”
