Page 5 of A Duke for Stealing
Rose gave her an exasperated look. True, Everett was not the most honest or reputable of men, but they had both come to know him over the years through Theo and Tristan. He was not a friend by any means of the word, but he wasn’t a stranger either.
“This is truly bothering you,” Ophelia said with awe, looking Rose up and down.
“Well…yes,” Rose managed to say. “He is like that strange cousin every family has. He’s not openly accepted and at times acts poorly, but you still cannot help but hold affection for him. He’s a part of our circle, Ophelia. A dear friend to all of the husbands married to our dearest friends.”
“So, what then?” Ophelia asked, putting her fists to her hips. “Are you saying we should tell him?”
Rose was trying to think of something to say when she and Ophelia heard a loud commotion come from outside the library. The loudest sound of all is Betty’s voice. Both women rushed from the balcony, through the library, and back to the ballroom,just in time to see two servants lifting Betty away from an overturned table and a mess of spilled silver trays.
“Oh, Mama,” Rose breathed, going quickly to her side. “What happened?”
Around them, the gathered crowd was abuzz with whispers and snickering, and in that moment, Rose forgot all about Everett’s troubles. Presently, she had a large one of her own to deal with. She knew she had to act, and fast, if she wanted an attempt at saving either of their reputations.
“Oh, Mama,” Rose repeated, louder this time as she hugged Betty to her side, “Did that tonic the chemist gave you make you dizzy again?”
She looked to the crowd, giving them an imploring smile.
“Do forgive her, dear friends. My Mama has suffered from great headaches as of late, and the tonic she takes for them often has ill effects.”
Most of the people surrounding them quickly stopped their snickering and began giving them pitying looks, but it was clear that some of the guests simply did not believe the excuse.
“Oh dear,” Betty slurred, leaning heavily into Rose, “I am not feeling so well. The floor is moving.”
“Here,” an older gentleman stated as he approached them, “Please allow me to assist.”
“I as well,” another stated, coming toward Rose, “We shall make sure she is safely placed in her carriage.”
“Thank you,” Rose said graciously, letting the two gentlemen take her mother’s weight off her.
She was even more thankful when no one but Ophelia followed them outside.
“You two gentlemen are far too kind,” Betty flirted as they helped her into the carriage. “Pray tell, are you friends?”
The two men looked at each other and smirked.
“We are, good lady,” one replied.
“Then allow me to thank you both for your generosity,” she boldly offered.
Rose’s stomach churned as she watched the two men begin to flirt with her mother, and as one closed the carriage door, encapsulating the three of them inside, she did not even bother trying to stop them. Instead, she just watched, disgusted and embarrassed, as the carriage pulled away.
“Do not worry,” Ophelia said, taking Rose’s hand. “No one else came outside, and everyone seems quite knackered. I do not believe this will even be remembered by anyone.”
“Maybe not,” Rose sighed, watching the carriage disappear, “But I will.”
Rose felt Ophelia put her arm around her waist and give her an affectionate squeeze.
“Come on, Rose darling, come with me. I shall take you home.”
Rose turned to Ophelia, her eyes pleading.
“I know it would be a great imposition on your part, but would you stay with me tonight? I…I do not think I can bear what is awaiting me alone.”
Pity filled Ophelia’s eyes as she nodded, giving her another squeeze.
“Of course I shall. It is no trouble at all.”
Ophelia hailed her carriage then, and the two of them left another party where yet again, Rose had to lie for her mother.
