Page 28 of A Duke for Stealing
Rose took in the utter sadness in Everett’s eyes, felt a wealth of empathy swell up in her heart for him. Like many others, she had thought Everett was simply a reckless, flirtatious fool with the good luck to be born with a title and a fortune. Now, though, as she searched through the absolute pools of loss that were Everett’s eyes, she considered that perhaps there was more to him than that.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Everett asked, spurring her from her thoughts.
Rose suddenly went stiff. She’d been staring at him intently as she was listening to him, and did not even realize it.
“No reason,” she replied, moving off the couch. His eyes followed her, a glimmer of the man she knew in those green depths.
“You have pity for me, dear wife,” he said, a smirk drawing on his lips.
He reached for her hands and pulled himself to the edge of the couch.
“It’s alright, I understand. Take pity on me,” he encouraged. “Pity me enough to provide me with an enjoyable distraction.”
Knowing what he meant, Rose let out an annoyed sigh and rolled her eyes.
“You are more than just a rake,” she replied, shaking her head at him. “You must know that.”
He shrugged, massaged his thumbs over the back of her hands.
“Perhaps I am. But for tonight, it is a rake I wish to be.”
He pulled her closer, then tugged at the skirt of her nightgown.
“Come, undress. Let us discuss my role as a tutor again. I am in need of my wife,” he urged.
Despite his bluntness, Rose found herself laughing as she pulled his hands away from her skirts and tucked them into his own lap. She then placed her hands on his cheeks, tilted his head down, and kissed his forehead. Everett looked up with wide, shocked eyes as she stepped back.
“What you need is a good night’s rest, Everett,” she said, putting enough space between them so that he could not reach for her again.
There was more she wanted to say, to chastise him about. For now, though, she would simply let it at that.
“Good night, Everett,” she said as she reached the door.
He was still looking at her with a shocked expression as she turned to look at him one last time.
“Wait,” he said quickly when she was done waiting for him to bid her good night in return.
She turned to him once more, a single brow raised in question.
Everett’s eyes slowly wandered down the length of her body.
“Thank you, Rose,” he said, his tone surprisingly sincere.
She gave him a small smile and dipped her head in a bow.
“You are welcome,” she answered.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Ibelieve that is enough for today,” Rose said, crossing the final item off of her list.
Mrs. Mulberry gave a proud nod.
“Yes, Your Grace. It is indeed a fine place to stop. I will have a messenger deliver these in the morning.”
“Very good,” Rose agreed, rising from her desk.
It was another tradition she’d decided to carry on from the late Duchess. A card was sent to the surrounding Lord or Lady who had a birthday. There were two this July, and along with the card, Rose would also send along a bouquet of flowers and a small assortment of miniature cakes.
