Page 11 of A Duke for Stealing
“All of us,” Theo added with emphasis.
Rose tried to turn her lips toward a smile, but failed. She was not sure if she would ever smile again. Not after the mess she just made.
“Lady Lightholder, Miss Gravesmoor,” Everett greeted politely as he came into the room. “Thank you for your patience. It was needed.”
“What isneededis a marriage,” Betty stated.
She tried to rise to her feet, stumbling slightly as she did so, but caught the back of the chair before she went down. Rose bit back a groan, wishing now more than ever that she had the power to be invisible.
To her surprise, Everett bowed his head politely toward Betty and replied, “You are quite right, Lady Lightholder. And that is what I have come to offer.”
Betty let out a crow of happiness as Rose’s head shot up at his words, unable to believe her ears. She found Everett’s eyes intently set upon her, not a trace of anger on his annoyingly handsome face. She’d never studied his features closely before today. Never really found it necessary to. He’d always annoyed her before she looked at him too long.
Yet looking at him now, she began to understand what so many other women found attractive about him. Intense, emerald green eyes. Sculpted jaw. Chiseled lips. And the way two locks of his dark brown hair hung just below his forehead was indeedquite roguishly handsome. It was a shame he was a rake and never took their vows seriously.
She blushed as she realized she’d been studying for several moments, and pushed herself to speak.
“I- are you certain, Eve- Your Grace?” She asked.
Everett gave her a half smile as he shrugged a shoulder.
“It is what we must do, I am afraid,” he replied. “To protect what reputation you and I have left. I cannot offer romance or some sweeping love, but I can at least give you that.”
Rose frowned again.
“How utterly romantic,” she muttered.
Everett’s smile dropped.
“It is not my fault you were not more pragmatic with your information,” he replied. “Trust me when I say I am not thrilled by this union any more than you are. But I owe you a debt, and this is the only way I can fulfill it.”
Rose knew it was coming. It was inevitable, really. After what she’d done, it was the only choice. Yet even still, she felt her stomach drop and heart wrench.
“I do not want to be married.”
Her voice came out small, childlike.
A glimmer of pity shifted through Everett’s green eyes before they turned hard again.
“At least that we can agree on, but I am afraid we have no choice. Pick out a dress, Miss Gravesmoor. We marry in three days.”
CHAPTER THREE
“Well, I have to say that was much less dramatic than the first attempt,” Everett stated, his tone dry.
Rose flicked her eyes from the carriage window to her new husband. They were leaving for Stapleton now that their wedding was over, and she was still dazed. Had been all day.
The wedding had seemed like a dream. Something that was not really happening to her. She’d chosen a pale pink satin dress. Her mother had stayed surprisingly sober through the ceremony and had even helped tuck the small pink tea roses in Rose’s light brown tendrils. The vows were stated. The rings were exchanged. Then it was over.
Yes, it had been vastly less dramatic than Everett’s first attempt at marriage. It was quieter. The attendance is much smaller. No interruptions or flagrant proclamations of love. No love at all.
“How can you be so casual about all of this?” She asked him.
Everett raised a brow.
“What is the alternative? Mourn for the loss of a bride I had no interest in?” He asked.
Rose’s brows drew up in surprise.
