Page 65 of A Duke for Stealing
Rose’s spirits sank lower as she took in the two gentlemen on either side of Betty. They were the two that her mother had invited home with her the night Rose had heard of Everett’s betrayal. The two gentlemen gave her charming smiles as they raised their cups to her and bowed their heads.
“Wonderful to see you again, Your Grace,” the one on Betty’s left stated.
“Felicitations on your grand match,” the one on the right added.
“Thank you,” Rose answered stiffly.
“Join us,” the one on the right insisted, picking up one of the many wine bottles scattered atop the table. “You must be parched from your journey. Allow us to libate you.”
“No, respectfully,” she answered with force. “I have come to speak with my mother. Alone. Would yougentlemendo us the courtesy of giving us some privacy?”
Betty’s smiling face transformed into a deep scowl as she held Roses’s gaze.
“Gentlemen. Do forgive my daughter’s rudeness. She’s gotten high in her steps with her elevation of status. Feel free to wait for me in my boudoir. I shall be up shortly.”
Rose didn’t look away from her mother’s glare as the two men stood up and took their leave.
“How dare you?” Betty seethed once they were gone. “Come intomyhouse and make such demands! You may be the lady of your house, but here I am still the one who holds the reins.”
“Why do you do this?” Rose demanded, ignoring Betty’s rant.
“You are already the scandal of the season with that young boy you’ve been seen cavorting with. Why add more fodder for theton’sgossip mill?”
“He is a man,” Betty snapped, raising her glass to her lips. “And I would not be too sure that it is my reputation that is most spoken of, darling girl. For it seems a question has been raised about the former notorious rake that is your husband. They say he runs a secret club that caters to tastes far deviant than my own.”
Betty’s eyes sparkled with haughtiness as she kept Rose’s gaze and took a long sip of her wine.
“Tell me, darling, what dark, twisted things has your Duke of Rakes dragged you into? Do you watch? Or do you participate?”
Betty’s questions hit hard at Rose’s insecurities, and she took a step back.
“This was a mistake,” Rose stated, raising a hand. “I came here because I worry and care for you. But if you are not going to show the same for yourself, then I am no longer going to either.”
“I am fine,” Betty bit out. “When I am not disturbed by such petty persons as you.”
“Good,” Rose retorted, turning her back to her mother, “I’m happy for you, Mother. Worry not. I will not disturb you any longer.”
“She’s in here?” Everett whispered.
Mrs. Mulberry nodded, still looking worried.
A meeting had been called for him in London that day, but upon his late return, he had gone to Rose’s rooms to speak with her and found her gone. When he found Mrs. Mulberry to ask about his wife’s whereabouts, the housekeeper appeared worried as she explained that she was with the twins.
Everett had asked what her worried look was for, and Mrs. Mulberry told him that the Duchess had reason to venture to London as well, but when she returned only a short time later, she had seemed most distressed.
“Thank you, Mrs. Mulberry,” Everett whispered. “It is late, you may go to bed.”
“If it is well with you, Your Grace, I should like to stay a moment. Make certain that the Duchess is not in need of anything.”
Everett nodded and opened the door to the nursery. Leah’s bed was empty, but huddled in Diana’s were both girls and Rose. The three of them were sleeping deeply, with Rose in the middle. Ahint of a smile touched Everett’s lips as he took in the sight of her, and he walked closer.
He gently lifted the storybook lying across Rose’s chest and closed it. He looked at the book for a moment and then turned his head to once more look at Rose. As he did so, he noticed the dark circles under his eyes and frowned.
She was exhausted. And why wouldn’t she be? Everett had never seen such effort put forth into being not just a Duchess but a mother as well. He thought of their day at the lake, at all of the effort Rose had put in to make such a day happen, and felt a wave of guilt crash over him for the day being cut so short by his actions.
Everett stood and motioned for Mrs. Mulberry to follow him back outside.
“I am going to take the Duchess to her own bed,” he said quietly in the hall, “I would like you to move Leah for me so I may do so. Be gentle. I do not want to wake them.”
