Page 108 of The Duke and the Lady in Red
“I can’t deny that.”
“Semantics, then, because they are one in the same.”
“People take their lovers all the time.”
“With a past as wretchedly filled with deceit as mine?”
“Why do you keep flaying yourself with the past?”
“I know what it is, I know what I’ve done.” Taking a deep breath, she held his gaze. “I know who I am.”
He skimmed his fingers over her cheek. “I know you as well, know how stubborn you are. I won’t push you on this, but I’ve decided you should have a new gown anyway. Don’t bother to protest that you’re in mourning. You promised to do anything I wanted, so the black must go. I want to see you in red again. Something new and vibrant. We’ll leave for the seamstress in half an hour.”
With that, he turned on his heel and marched off, leaving her to stare after him. Stubborn man. Blast him for using the bargain against her. Still, a thread of excitement thrummed through her, a sense of being alive again. She looked back at the fountain, at the couple lost in a heated embrace.
Perhaps tonight she would dance in the cascading water.
While the coach traveled through the streets, Avendale sat across from Rose, which gave him a clear and enticing view of her. He was glad to see that some color had returned to her cheeks. She wasn’t one to care about acquiring things for herself—otherwise she would have snapped up the jewelry he gave her—but he did think it was doing her some good to get out of the residence.
She would always miss her brother. There was no hope for otherwise. Damnation, but he missed Harry, so he knew it was far worse for her. He was always listening for the echo of a walking stick meeting the parquet flooring, the shuffling of large feet. He waited for the welcome interruption that would never come again.
Strange, the influence that one person could make in such a short time.
Although he didn’t know why he was surprised. It hadn’t taken Rose long to have absolute sway over him. He loved her. It was an emotion he’d never thought to experience, and sometimes he wished he didn’t because it brought with it as much pain as it did joy. He hurt when she hurt. When sorrow visited her, it visited him. But when she smiled, it was as though that smile encompassed his entire body, his entire being. He would do whatever was required to return the smiles to her—even if it meant taking her to a boring ball.
It had pleased him to discover that he’d accurately read the longing in her gaze whenever she looked at the silver bowl. He could give her an incredible life, filled with balls, dinners, and elegance. Yet he suspected that for her one ball would be enough. Then she would again yearn for freedom.
“I needed this outing, I think,” she finally said. “I feel as though I can breathe again, as though the oppressive weight of grief is lifting.”
“You do seem a bit perkier.”
“What woman doesn’t perk up at the thought of a new gown?”
“You don’t.”
She blushed. “You read me too well, even better than Harry did.”
“I’ve had considerable practice. I suspect you lied to me more than you did to him.”
“Only when necessary. But you’re right. I’ve always viewed clothing as a tool, going for something that would serve as a distraction. Now I want something that pleases you. It’ll be a new experience.”
“I’ve never watched a woman be fitted for a gown.”
“And you won’t today. I want to surprise you.” She arched a brow. “It will be red, but other than that you’ll have to wait until I’m ready to wear it. So you’ll need to entertain yourself elsewhere this afternoon.”
He would do so by purchasing something for her. Not that he was going to tell her that. She wasn’t the only one wanting to provide a surprise.
“I suspect Merrick and the others will need to seek employment,” he said casually.
She tilted up the corners of her lips, and in her smile he saw understanding and assurance. “Yes. I need to speak with them, explain that I won’t be providing for them anymore. It’s time for them to make their own way again, although I suspect they know it. It was Harry that kept us together. While they saw to his care, I was more than happy to see after their needs. But he doesn’t need their care anymore.”
“The lease on the residence is paid for two more months.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “When did you do that?”
He lifted a shoulder. “In the beginning. I didn’t want you to feel as though you had to run off immediately after our original bargain was met.”
Her smile grew. “They’ll appreciate it. You might win Merrick over yet.”
