Page 59 of Rose and the Rogue
Not long after, the footman returned with another newspaper, a coffeepot, and a letter from Adrian’s mother.
Adrian ignored the paper and opened the letter; it was as if the dowager were in the room with him, offering a tirade of opinion whether he wanted it or not. There were rumors as far as Bath that Lord Norbury was dallying with a very innocent, virginal young lady who he obviously had no intention of marrying. Adrian was besmirching the family name. He was making a mockery of some of the most vaunted social institutions that perpetuated the very order of things. He had not written to his mother frequently enough. The dowager viscountess was left with no choice.
She was returning to London to take matters into her own hands.
“God help me,” Adrian muttered. What a mess if his mother decided to meddle in things now.
* * * *
“Mr. de la Guerra,” Poppy said coldly.
She had been waiting for him in the small office adjacent to the warehouse. People were working there, but Poppy was alone in the room. The fury radiated off her in freezing waves. Carlos once fell overboard in the North Atlantic, swimming though frigid waters in a desperate attempt to reach a rope and haul himself to safety, shivering on deck and nearly dying of exposure.
This was worse.
“I didn’t know what was happening, I promise,” he said. “I mean, I knew about some wagers, but not about Adrian sneaking off to see Rosalind…”
“And why should I believe you?”
He shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. There’s no reason you ought to, I suppose. But I assure you that Adrian never gambled a penny on Rose.”
“There was a poem in a paper today,” she said. “A poem! It practically accused Rose of acting like a…like a…” Poppy’s normal confidence deserted her, and she inhaled sharply to prevent a flood of tears.
Carlos stepped up to her, putting one hand on her shoulder. “I saw the poem. I showed Norbury, and he’s going to handle it. We’re not going to let anyone get away with this.”
She shrugged away from him. “Excuse me, but someone already has! Rose is ruined now, and she’s got no chance of a proper marriage. Who’s going to offer for her after this scandal?”
“Norbury will.”
Poppy stared at him in astonishment, which quickly turned to rage. “Oh, so he’s finally caught, is he? London’s most prolific rake is somehow going to realize the error of his ways now and marry a woman who brings a modest dowry and no title or lands with her? Do you not realize how marriages work here in England?”
Carlos shot back, “I realize that Norbury cares about Miss Blake. She won’t face this situation alone.”
“She’s not alone! She has her parents, and she has her friends, and she has me.” Poppy’s eyes went bright. “Norbury played with her affections, and he’s not going to get a chance to ride in and play knight in shining armor now. He’s the reason she’s locked herself in the bedroom and hasn’t eaten anything all day.”
“Norbury can speak to her, reassure her—”
“What is his word worth?” Poppy snapped. “This was the same man who placed the same bet years ago, and guess what? A woman was ruined then. Why should we believe that the outcome will be different this time? You can just tell him that he’s not welcome at the Blake house anymore. Mr. Blake has made it known that he’ll never cross the threshold again. Thank God we’re going to leave the city! I just pray Rose will recover in time…”
“Where? When are you going?”
“We don’t know yet, and that’s not your concern! All I wanted to say today is that Norbury should be ashamed of what’s he done.”
“Perhaps that’s what you think…”
“That’s what Rose thinks. She never wants to speak to Norbury again, and I’m here to tell you that. The game is over, Mr. de la Guerra. Call in the wager, collect the winnings, whatever it is you gentlemen do.” Poppy shook her head once, adding in a low voice, “I thought you were different.”
She turned away, then pointed to the warehouse door. “Go. Leave here, and then leave London, and then leave England altogether on your stupid boat, or in a much smaller wooden container for all I care! I hope I never see you again!”
* * * *
A few hours after he left, Carlos returned to Adrian’s house, his normally cheerful expression now grave. He smelled like he’d stopped by a tavern or four on his way back.
“What did she say?” Adrian asked.
“It did not go well,” Carlos growled. “They think you were merely toying with Rosalind’s affections. I tried to persuade Poppy that you have nothing to do with any wagers, but she is utterly convinced that you are merely continuing a lifetime of roguish behavior and you are not serious about Rose at all.”
“What? I told her father I want to marry her.”
