Page 54 of Rose and the Rogue
He did not wait long for the maid to reappear, hurrying down the corridor. “This way, sir.” Alice led him not to the drawing room, but to a smaller study. Blake was enthroned there, seated at a desk piled high with law books and papers.
“Lord Norbury,” he said, unsmiling. “Won’t you sit down.” It was not a request.
Adrian sat in a leather chair opposite the desk. “Am I disturbing you at your work, sir?”
“No matter. This conversation would have to happen at some point.”
“You expected me?”
“I trust you have come to apologize.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow. “For what? I thought I made it clear that I don’t regret a thing I’ve done…toward Miss Blake, that is. The rest of my life would require more explanation, but you’re not a priest, and I’m not looking for absolution.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Blake noted sourly. “So you haven’t come to apologize?’
“No.”
“Then why have you come?”
“For your permission to ask for Miss Blake’s hand.”
“What?” Blake was beyond astonished. “Rosalind?”
“She’s the only daughter you have, correct? Of course I mean Rosalind.”
“You want to marry Rosalind.”
Adrian wondered if he should have waited to have this conversation until later in the day. The man seemed a bit befuddled. “Yes, sir. I wish to marry Rosalind. And you are her father and guardian, are you not? Have I your permission to ask Rose for her hand?”
Mr. Blake responded with perfect, icy clarity, “No.”
“Excuse me?” Adrian was taken aback. “I am the seventh Viscount Norbury. It’s not as if I’m some unknown off the street. And I can certainly provide for her. I explained to you before that I enjoy her company.”
“Based on half a dance and a carriage ride, and a musical performance? Absurd!”
“Well, in fact…” Adrian shrugged slightly, ready to admit that their acquaintance was not solely limited to that. Not that he wanted to play the “I’ve compromised your daughter” card. He much preferred to simply ask and be accepted because he would be a good match for her.
Blake did not let him continue. “I don’t even want to know what other exchanges you might have had with her! Not to mention the gifts to the house. Have there been letters as well?”
“Only a few.”
“I’ll burn the ones in her possession.”
Adrian was getting angry. “Let me remind you, Blake, I am discussing marriage here. Last time I checked, that wasn’t scandalous. Rather the opposite.”
“You honestly expect me to believe that you could make her happy?”
Adrian stared at him. “What does that mean?”
“A man of your reputation wouldn’t know the first thing about a partnership like marriage. I know all too well what you think of women, your lordship. You might be amused by marriage for a few weeks, but you’re a libertine through and through. You’d never remain faithful to Rosalind, and you’d destroy her happiness when she learned about your deeds. And then where would she be? Blind, without her own family, and trapped in a loveless contract with a man who has no respect for society. What kind of guardian would I be if I allowed that?” Mr. Blake leaned back then, his brow sweating.
Adrian tried to keep hold of his emotions. “I think you have not heard me out, sir,” he began quietly. “Yes, I have a reputation. But those deeds are in the past.”
“I have heard of those past deeds. Reprehensible.”
“I was younger then, I have changed. I truly care for Rosalind…I mean, Miss Blake.”
Blake only shook his head. “No. It is not past. A duel just last month, over an affair with a man’s wife. Tindell, wasn’t it? I’ve been hearing things about you, Norbury. Recently. And what about an incident at Vauxhall Gardens this week?” He stared hard at Adrian, who blinked in surprise.
