Page 22 of A Duke for Stealing
The nurse looked as if she were going to argue for a moment, but then she curtseyed to Rose.
“I pray one day I have your patience and insight, Your Grace. They are honorable attributes.”
Rose gave her a kind smile.
“Let us hope so,” she replied.
Though she wanted to stay, Rose knew Mrs. Mulberry was waiting for her in the dining room, no doubt fit to be tied by how long she’d taken.
“Please keep a watch on the door,” Rose implored. “Let them have an hour or so to themselves, but then try to insist that they have their lunch. If anything goes wrong, do come to me.”
“As you wish, Your Grace,” the nurse replied.
Rose took one last glance at the closed pink door, wishing she had the magic words to soothe the rage in Leah’s heart and the fear in Diana’s.
Jaw clenched, fists curled, Everett stalked through the manor trying to find Rose. He’d searched her quarters, the room she’d made her personal library, which was now filled. He knew, because he received the latest bill from the book seller. It was no small sum she’d spent on titles. When he did not find her in either place, he went to the girls’ room, the solarium, and the sitting room.
Finally, he heard a buzz of laughter and chatter coming from the dining room, and that was where he found her and several of his staff, smiling and chatting gayly as if they were all old friends.
“Oh, Your Grace, it was an absolutely beautiful evening,” Mrs. Mulberry praised. “I believe it was the finest appreciation festival yet!”
Festival? What festival?
“Do you truly think so, Mrs. Mulberry?” Rose asked eagerly. “Oh, I was not sure about adding the games for the children and the gifts, but I thought it would be a lovely touch.”
“Oh, it certainly was,” Mrs. Mulberry agreed. “Did you see the farmers’ eyes when you gifted them all a bottle of whiskey? They looked utterly astonished!”
Everett cleared his throat, and the talk ceased immediately. Everyone’s eyes fell on him, and they all quickly bowed- except for Rose. She merely stared back at him. Back straight. Chin high. A single light brown brow raised in intrigue above her blue eyes.
“What has happened?” He demanded to know. “What is this festival, andpleasepray tell how much of my whiskey was given out to farmers?”
Rose turned to Mrs. Mulberry and the other servants, smiling brightly.
“Thank you all for your help today. It would not have been a success without you. Please give His Grace and I the room.”
Every servant smiled and bowed toward her before they left. Some, Everett noticed, even whispered their thanks.
“Explain,” he demanded once they were alone.
“You received my invitation,” Rose said with a small shrug. “Therefore, you know what the festival was for. It was a shame you chose not to come. It was quite a lovely evening.”
Everett ground his teeth, working to steady his rising temper.
“You were serious about that?” He grumbled.
“The late Duchess was, and therefore I decided I should be too,” Rose replied calmly, “And I am happy that I did. Our people were loyal because of the gratitude they had been shown by the late Duke and Duchess, and now that loyalty will be shown to us!”
Everett crossed his arms and began tapping his foot. He could not argue her logic, and it annoyed him.
“And what is this whiskey spoken of?” He demanded next.
“You and our friends own over five breweries,” Rose replied with a shrug, “I suppose that if you wanted to restock the supply you have here, you could do so easily. Or, if you were serious last week about not drinking as much, perhaps this would be an opportunity to keep the manor free of it.”
Everett’s mouth fell open as his mind sprouted multiple questions.
“How did you know how many breweries I own? Are you saying the manor is completely dry of whiskey? Who gave you the authority to give out a bottle from my personal collection?”
A smug smirk appeared on Rose’s lips, and Everett’s frustration grew as he found her utterly delicious to look at with such an expression.
