Page 100 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
“Your Grace, please call me Rose,” she said with a curtsy.
“It’s been a good many years since I’ve been a duchess. Lady Winifred will suffice quite nicely. I appreciate that you have given purpose to my son’s life.”
“I’d hardly say that although he has been most kind regarding my brother’s situation.”
“Life can be so unfair and we are often given not what we deserve.”
“I understand that you are responsible for the kind people here this evening.”
“Oh bosh. Don’t make more of my efforts than they were. I merely extended invitations.”
“In person,” Avendale said.
“Well, yes. I’ve discovered it’s more difficult for people to refuse a request when looking in your eyes.”
“Which is how she has managed to raise an abundance of money for so many charities,” Sir William said, pride evident in his voice.
She patted her husband’s arm before returning her attention to Rose. “We must finish making the rounds. We look forward to making your brother’s acquaintance. Although rest assured that Minerva shall ensure he has a jolly good time. I do not understand why the girl is not yet spoken for. Young men these days, sometimes they can be quite blind.”
“Forgive my wife,” Sir William said. “She also likes to play matchmaker.”
“Only because the right match is crucial to happiness.”
“Be sure to point your Cupid’s arrow elsewhere,” Avendale said.
His mother rose up, pressed a kiss to his cheek, and murmured in a low voice, “Only if you open your eyes, darling.” Then she winked at Rose. “A pleasure, my dear. You must join us for dinner sometime. I would so love for you to meet my other children. They were desperate to come tonight, but they are still far too young for a night such as this filled with such scandalous amusements.”
“Thank you, my lady. I would like to meet them.” Although in truth, she knew if the woman understood Rose’s role in her son’s life as well as her past, she would be appalled by the notion of entertaining Rose in her home and introducing her to impressionable children.
As Sir William and his lady wandered away, Rose could not help but think they were a perfect match. “I like your mother,” she said.
“She is to be admired, except when she is trying to tend to my heart.”
“She loves you, wants you to be happy. That’s probably what most mothers want for their children. I didn’t get to experience it firsthand. You shouldn’t take it for granted.”
“I won’t, not again, but that doesn’t mean I want her meddling.”
“She’ll find you a proper wife.”
He swung his gaze to Rose. “I’m not certain I’m suited to a proper wife.”
“But you are thinking you want a wife.” In spite of his claims not to want a proper wife, she also knew she was too improper to fill that place in his life.
“I’m thinking I want a drink. Let’s see what we can find, shall we?”
But she was bothered by the conversation, the possible implications, needed to remind herself as much as him of her place. “You used my real name.”
He’d taken two steps, stopped and looked back at her. “Pardon?”
“When you introduced me tonight it was as Miss Rosalind Longmore.”
“I’m weary of the lies, the deceptions, all the blasted secrets that do nothing except cause misunderstandings and put distance between people.” He stepped back to her. “Does Miss Rosalind Longmore have a bounty on her head?”
She didn’t hesitate. “No.” But Mrs. Rosalind Pointer did. As did Mrs. Rosalind Black.
“Then why the concern?”
“Habit, I suppose. I simply never use my real name.”
