Page 67 of Rose and the Rogue
“Well, one way or another, you’ll be noticed tomorrow.”
“Do you think I’m doing the right thing?” he asked, suddenly unsure. Perhaps he was not thinking straight, too driven by his feelings for Rose rather than cold practicality.
“By defending Miss Blake’s honor? By acting nobly, instead of scorning your birth and your family name? Adrian, you’re finally doing the right thing.”
“I hope she thinks so. I don’t know how I’ll explain it to her.”
Carlos merely smiled. “Get some rest and leave everything to me. Just be ready to get in a carriage before dawn.”
Chapter 23
Very late that same night, Poppy was roused from her bed by the maid Alice, who was holding a candle.
“Miss, I’m so sorry. A boy just brought this letter round. He said it was a matter of life and death. He insisted I wake you. It’s not my fault!”
Poppy blinked groggily. “A letter? Shouldn’t you have woken Mr. Blake?”
“It’s addressed to you.” She handed Poppy a folded note, sealed in red wax. Poppy peered at it. She didn’t recognize the seal, or the handwriting.
“Shall I go, miss?”
“Wait for a moment. Let me see what it says, in case I need to send a reply.”
Poppy opened the letter, wondering who felt it necessary to disturb her sleep.
Dear Miss St. George,
It may interest you and others close to you to know that Viscount Norbury will engage in a duel related to rumors regarding a blind woman. The men will fight this coming dawn at Darthmore Abbey. I am confident of Norbury’s chances, but a prayer or two may not come amiss.
A friend
Poppy laid the letter in her lap, trying to remain calm. The “friend” was obviously Carlos de la Guerra.
While she appreciated the news, she did not appreciate the advice. A prayer! Poppy was growing very sick of waiting patiently as things happened all around them.
“Alice,” she said firmly. “One half hour before sunrise, you will wake me and Rosalind, help us dress, and tell John to have the carriage ready in the street.”
She didn’t explain why, but the maid didn’t have to be told. There was only one type of event that was regularly scheduled for dawn. And if Norbury was fighting a duel, the question was, who was he fighting?
Alice shivered. “Oh, you can’t possibly mean to—”
“Oh, I absolutely mean to. It’s the least we can do for Rose, to get to the bottom of this matter. And with any luck, we’ll be back before Mr. and Mrs. Blake even wake up. No arguments, now, Alice. Scoot downstairs and keep your mouth buttoned up. We must be very careful until this matter is done.”
Poppy sent a very unhappy maid back downstairs, and settled back in her bed. She knew her idea was madcap. But she also knew that if Rose missed this singular chance to understand what was afoot, she’d regret it. And Poppy had no intention of ever letting Rose down.
* * * *
A few hours later, Rose was sleeping like the dead, but was pulled back to consciousness by Poppy, who grabbed her by the shoulder and shook her.
“Get up, Rose!”
“What? What time is it? Is there a fire?” Rose sniffed but smelled nothing other than the candle Poppy must have lit.
“There’s no fire in the house, but we may have to put some sort of blaze out. Come, get up! Alice is here to help you dress. We’ve got to move quickly.”
“What is happening?” Rose asked crossly, even as Alice helped her out of bed and began to prepare her outfit.
“I got a message after you went to sleep. Mr. de la Guerra informed us that Norbury is going to fight a duel at dawn.”
