Page 13 of A Duke for Stealing
“Stapleton Estate already has a solarium,” Everett stated, sounding bored, “But you may take it as your own and redecorate however you like.”
Boldness rushed through Rose’s veins, and she even managed a smile.
“I suspect I can not anticipate any romance from you?” She asked.
Everett chuckled.
“Your suspicions are correct,” he agreed.
Her smile became more mischievous.
“Then, when I am ready, I wish to acquire a tutor in such a subject.”
Everett’s grin quickly dropped, and he leaned forward.
“You cannot be serious.”
“Why not?” Rose countered. “You will have your lovers? Some paid and professional, I assume. Why can mine not be the same? After all, you do not want to teach me such skills, so why would you care?”
“Romance and pleasure are not the same thing, Rose,” Everett countered, raising a brow as he drew his eyes down to her bosom. They seemed to get stuck there, and Rose could not help but smirk. She liked the idea that they could perhaps share a mutual attraction.
“Either way, I want a tutor for such a time. Again, at my choosing,” she told him.
Everett’s eyes slowly made their way back up to hers, golden flecks igniting through the green.
“And you would not consider me as such a tutor?” He asked.
Rose scoffed. “Only if you would be willing to stay loyal to only me, Your Grace. Which I highly doubt.”
Everett’s smile was slow and wicked, and Rose could not ignore the flare of curiosity that moved up through her body.
“I think you underestimate me, Your Grace,” he answered with a tone that matched her own. “I can beveryloyal when it comes to the right people. Very talented, too.”
Rose rolled her eyes at his arrogance, yet still, she found a smile tugging at her lips.
“I am assuming being the face of your title is not the only responsibility I have,” she said, choosing to move on from the subject. “What else do you require of me?”
Everett’s intense gaze lingered on her for several moments before he finally sat back and turned to the window.
“I am sure you have heard the regrettable path that led me to my new title?” He asked.
Despite her annoyance, Rose felt a tinge of sympathy. Yes. She’d heard of how the late Duke and Duchess of Stapleton had lost their lives in their vacation home in Bath.
“It truly is regrettable,” she said softly. “To be lost in a fire. It is positively horrible.”
“Indeed,” Everett grit out, refusing to look at her.
“They left behind two daughters. Twins. Five-year-olds Leah and Diana. They are under my care now.”
The news shocked her. She’d heard the reports of the fire, but not that the couple had left behind two orphaned children. Her heart immediately went out to them.
“I will need your help acquiring a governess,” Everett explained, “I know nothing of a woman’s education and need someone who does. In the meantime, I will need you to look after them. My brother left behind much responsibility, and I am over-stretched trying to keep up with it. The children are the main reason I chose to take on a wife. I simply do not have the time for them.”
Rose found his words callous and cold, but this time she did not remark on it. Instead, she simply nodded her head and told him that she would gladly take over the responsibility.
“Ah, here we are,” Everett said as the carriage came to a stop.
They waited together for the footman to open the carriage door, but to her surprise, it was Everett who extended his hand and helped her down after he’d gotten out.
