“Aly?” Rosanna stepped into the room. She found the duchess leaning back against the settee, a book spread open over her expanding stomach with her eyes closed. Deciding to let her rest, Rosanna turned to leave.
“Don’t go, Rose,” Alys called out.
Rosanna looked over her shoulder and met Alys’s gaze. “I didn’t want to disturb you. You haven’t been sleeping well.”
“You’re not wrong.” Alys set her book aside and rubbed her stomach. “These tykes are draining me and keeping me awake at the same time. The sooner they arrive, the happier I’ll be.”
Rosanna walked over to Alys and sat in a nearby chair. “Are you so sure there are two babies?” Twins did run in the family, so it wouldn’t surprise her if Alys did give birth to two babies. She was certainly—large. Much bigger than when she’d carried Elizabeth.
“Yes,” Alys replied. “I’m almost certain, but I could be wrong. We will have to wait and see when they decide to arrive. Until then, they are mommy’s little monsters playing soccer with my bladder.”
Rosanna shook her head. “I don’t even want to know what that means.”
Alys laughed. “One day you might understand it when you carry your own child. Pregnancy plays havoc on a woman’s body, but it’s worth it. Elizabeth is the greatest gift, outside of having James’s love, that has ever happened to me.”
Rosanna wanted what Alys and James had. They loved each other to a distraction. At one time, she believed if she were to be patient enough she’d have that with Dom… She was a silly little fool for believing in that fairytale. “May I ask you something?”
“About pregnancy? Do you really want to know?”
“No,” Rosanna said. “At least not now. That’s not what I need to ask.”
Alys tilted her head and studied her. After a moment, she blew out a breath and struggled to sit up. “What’s bothering you?”
Where to begin? There was so much she didn’t fully understand. She had so many questions and not one answer to any of them. Dom was at the top of the list. He was Lord Seabrook when she had to speak out loud, but he’d forever be her Dom in her mind. Some things were hard to let go of no matter how hard she tried. She was determined to finally find a way to get over him, but with him constantly on her heels it proved to be too difficult. If she were able to meet some other suitors she might have a chance.
“Lord Seabrook is visiting.”
Alys’s lips tilted upward. “I’m not hearing a question in that statement.”
This was a lot harder than she thought it would be. Alys was easy to talk to, but she’d never said out loud how she really felt about Dom. Could she do it now? She’d have to if Alys was to give her any kind of advice. “I’m almost certainly on the shelf. Each season is more disastrous than the previous one.”
If she’d only found one man who’d stirred her heart. None of them had been truly interested in her. They liked the idea of marrying a duke’s sister and having that connection, but none had wanted her. They liked her money, her lineage, and a few had desired her body. She had yet to meet one who liked her, let alone loved her. The few suitors she’d had appeared to be bored by her company, and she’d actually overheard one boasting he’d secure a match and the connection to her family. Rumors spread wide about the Earl of Carston needing funds, but if he’d showed her any real interest, or caused some emotion in her—she’d have overlooked that part. Maybe she was going about it all wrong.
“Are you saying you’d like to attract Dom’s attention?”
Was she? Hadn’t she tried that before? Where had it gotten her? In a weird contest of wills with the marquess that left her with the scars to prove it. She couldn’t seem to help lashing out at him. He’d often referred to her thorny nature, but it hadn’t always been that way. There had been a time he’d been charming and attentive. Rosanna didn’t know when he started to see her differently. She hated it though—if she had one wish it would to be to go back and undo whatever changed him. He was harder and more cynical than ever. It was clear to her even though he tried to hide it. Dom watched everyone and everything as if he expected treachery to leap out at him.
“No, I think I may already have it.”
“Do tell,” Alys said eagerly. “What has Charming done?”
Rosanna burst out with laugher. “Do you call him that to his face?”
Alys set her own rules and did as she pleased. She could because she was a duchess, and she didn’t bother with society much. When Rosanna had to attend a ball or soiree, Alys did her duty and went with her, but she’d hate every minute of it. She didn’t want to alienate the ton so she kept her mouth shut even when it drove her crazy how foolish some of them could be. They had strict ideas of what a woman could or could not do. Alys came from a time where women had more freedom and far more choices. She’d studied to be a doctor—no, a surgeon—and was brilliant. The ladies of the society wouldn’t, no couldn’t, even begin to understand how independent the Duchess of Weston was.
Rosanna had learned a lot from her and had a more progressive attitude. There’d been a time she couldn’t think of a life where she didn’t marry. She still wanted to since she wanted her own family, but if she couldn’t marry for love she’d rather be the feared spinster. It wasn’t set in stone, and she’d not quit looking until she had no other choice.
“Don’t try to change the subject,” Alys chastised her. “Explain yourself.”
Rosanna sighed. “He kissed me.”
“Ah, that’s the juicy details I was waiting to hear. Did you enjoy it?” Alys fanned herself. “Is it hot in here?”
“Do you want me to open a window?” It was hard to keep up with Alys at times. She jumped around from one topic to the next without a pause.
“No, I’m fine.” Alys waved her hand. “Tell me about the kiss.”
Rosanna bit her lip. “The kiss doesn’t matter.” At least she didn’t think it did. What did she know? She was a confused ninny. She’d come to Alys for advice, but she hadn’t bothered to ask the questions she had on her mind yet. “Lord Seabrook and I have a history that makes his actions appear rather suspicious.”
That was an underestimation of it all, but Rosanna didn’t know how to say what was bothering her. His kiss had stirred something deep inside. She wanted him, always had, but he’d made it clear he didn’t feel the same. How could she trust him when he’d said marrying her was not something he wanted? She was sick of fighting with him. All she wanted was a little peace and perhaps some congeniality.
“Rose, sweetie, I need more information. What is on your mind?”
She sighed. “He said he’d never marry and, even if he did, I’d be the last lady he’d ever consider.”
“How dare he,” Alys said vehemently. She tried to sit up but wobbled back in an unlady like manner. Poor lady could barely move. Her face scrunched up unpleasantly—probably at her lack of grace, and affront on Rosanna’s behalf. “He’d be lucky to have you. What a fool. When did he say this? I might have a few choice words for his charming arse the next time I see him.”
Rosanna smiled at her defense. Their friendship had grown over the years and became something unbreakable. Rose hadn’t ever had a friend before. At finishing school, the other ladies kept their distance. She didn’t understand why, but had gone through the motions and completed her studies. When she went out in society they were cordial but still kept her at a distance. Alys said they’d been jealous and that had been their way of making themselves feel better. She may have been right, but Rosanna had no way of making certain and wasn’t sure if she cared.
“It was years ago,” Rosanna assured her. “Before you came to us. It was before Edward’s death.”
She still remembered the day in vivid detail. It was one of the last nights she’d seen her brother alive. A few short days later he’d died and her heart broke a second time. The first had been when Dom pushed her away without a second thought. Maybe she should have been kinder to him that night. If she�
�d been less of a shrew he may have not uttered those words. It was hard to say one way or the other, but it didn’t really matter. They couldn’t be undone no matter how much she wished it so.
“Why would he have been so cruel?”
Rosanna shrugged. “I wasn’t at my best that night either. I don’t blame him entirely, but it set us on this path. There doesn’t seem to be any way to escape it.”
Alys tilted her head and bit her lip. Was she thinking how to address the situation? After a moment, she asked, “Do you want to?”
She did. It hurt her the way they acted toward each other. They used to be comfortable in each other’s company. Now though, it was nothing but awkwardness and angry snipes. “I’d like to find a way to the easy friendship we used to have.”
“Even though he kissed you?”
“Especially because of that. There is no future for us.” He’d made that abundantly clear. She’d not be a fool for him ever again. She cared about him and didn’t want to see him come to any sort of harm, but she had to protect herself too. Dom wasn’t the marrying kind.
“Are you sure about that?”
“He said he would never marry.” Rosanna stared at Alys. What wasn’t she saying? “Why would I think we had a future? He isn’t seeking a wife. He’s probably bored stuck here with no one to entertain him.”
“People are allowed to change their minds. It happens every day.” Alys smiled softly. “Have you considered he’s decided it is time to settle down? It takes some men longer than others to come to that conclusion, and he does have a title to pass on to heirs.”
Rosanna stared at Alys, her mouth falling open. “I’m not marrying him because he needs a son to pass his title on to.” She was appalled Alys would suggest it. Rosanna wanted someone to love her as much as James loved Alys. She’d not get that in a marriage of convenience.
When Alys and James met, she’d told him love was a journey that those involved fell into willingly—a leap of faith. She couldn’t trust Dom was on the same path. He didn’t act like a man in love.
Alys laughed. “As he’s not proposed, I don’t think you have to worry about that yet. I’m saying to keep an open mind. He might surprise you.”
Rosanna had to concede her point. What did she know about a man in love anyway? The only married couple she knew was her brother and Alys. Maybe it was different for everyone. Did she dare hope? “I’m not sure I can do that, but I’ll consider what you’ve said.”
“Be nice to Charming. I don’t think he’s had it as easy as he lets on.”
Rosanna agreed. Dom was far different. Something changed him and that made him into a different man. If it had been James, she’d say it had to do with the war, but Dom stayed away from the battlefront. What had hardened him? Perhaps she’d ask him the next time they crossed paths.
“Maybe I will, but I’m not making any promises.”
“Can’t ask for anything more than that,” Alys said with a wince. “I don’t mean to be difficult, but I think the babies have decided to make an appearance. Can you fetch James? My water broke.”
Rosanna leapt up and headed out of the room without a word. Some things didn’t require a reply. She was a lady on a mission, and she’d not fail her family.
CHAPTER 5
DOM SAT in a chair in James’s study, nursing a glass of brandy. He sipped it periodically to give the impression he was drinking it. When James wasn’t looking, he dumped it in a nearby vase. James had refilled it a few moments ago. Drinking it was becoming more and more appealing as time dragged on, but he had to keep his wits about him if he was going to do some much needed digging.
James paced the room with equal measures on a repeat that bordered on maddening. Alys was in the middle of her confinement. The duke wouldn’t be able to relax until the babe was born and he could be reassured both mother and child were safe.
“This nervous stroll about the room you have going on isn’t helping,” Dom waved at his friend. “All it is doing is working you up into a frenzy.”
James stopped in the middle of the room and turned to glare at him. “Your constant irritating discord isn’t helping either.”
Dom had to concede that he might be correct. He hoped Alys wouldn’t have too hard of a time delivering the baby, but he had some things he had to do. He couldn’t very well abandon his friend while he was in such a state of unrest. It would look bad, and Dom couldn’t do anything that would attract unwanted attention. Besides, he was genuinely concerned for the duchess and James. In other circumstances, he’d have gladly waited out the birth with the duke.
“Truer words have never been uttered,” Dom said. “But there isn’t much else we can do is there?”
“Maybe I should go check on her?”
Dom shook his head. Poor sod. He was a damn mess. “It isn’t done. You’d be in the way.”
The midwife had kicked James out of the room over an hour ago when he’d gone up to check on them. After a series of screams from his wife, the duke unwillingly left the room. Dom didn’t know if he could have handled watching a woman give birth. If it was his wife—an image briefly flashed through his mind of Rosanna. She was the one he could see in that role. The idea of seeing her belly growing with their child… He wanted that. It hadn’t seemed possible before, and it was enlightening to realize how much he looked forward to having a child with her.
“I was there when Elizabeth was born, and I will be there when this one is.” James clenched his fist at his side. Determination was etched all over his face. He might manage to be in the room at some point. Dom wouldn’t put it past his friend. If anyone could impose his will on another it was the duke.
Dom lifted an eyebrow mockingly. “Not if the harpy helping her deliver the child has anything to say about it.”
James crossed the room and snatched the brandy out of Dom’s hand and swallowed the contents. Then he set it down on a nearby table. Dom stared at him with his mouth open. He hadn’t wanted the drink, but damn. “By all means, help yourself.”
“You weren’t drinking it anyway. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your lack of interest.” James waved his hand dismissively. “The maid will have to empty that vase in the corner too. A waste of good brandy.”
Hell, Dom thought he’d been sly. James wasn’t as far gone as he’d thought. Dom chuckled lightly. “I’m not in the mood to become inebriated.”
“It was rather good of you to continue to humor me, but I’d rather not throw away any more on appearances.” James lifted his hand and ran his fingers through his hair. The dark tresses were a disheveled mess.
Dom stared out the window. It took everything he had to suppress a sigh. The sun had begun to set and the light in the room was starting to diminish. They’d have to light a candle or two soon if they were going to avoid total darkness. The night sky would aid Dom in his quest to uncover the spy in James’s household. He’d found a small lead, but he wasn’t sure what it meant. He’d overheard some talk amongst the servants that led him to believe he’d find the answers in the stables. If it proved correct, he was on a path to ending the treasonous actions. He had to talk to one of the stable hands and find out exactly what his other activities were. If he worked for the newly minted or rather the re-commissioned smuggling ring, Dom would be able to put an end to the nonsense once and for all. Although if he was correct in his suspicions, the lad was a lead-in—not an actual member of the ring, but more of a go-between.
“Then no more brandy for either one of us,” Dom agreed. “Perhaps you can go up to check on Alys now.” It had been a while since he’d heard any screams. He wasn’t sure if that was good or not.
James shook his head. “It wouldn’t do any good. Birthing takes hours, and I would be a nuisance more than a help. I’m a mess watching Alys in so much pain.”
Perhaps James was correct. Dom had never been in a similar situation. He didn’t have the first clue what it must me like to sit by helpless as the woman he loved writhed in unimaginable agony
. A shudder rolled through him at the very idea. He didn’t envy women and what they had to endure to bring a babe into the world.
“How would Alys feel? Maybe this isn’t so much about you, but more of what she might need.”
James closed his eyes and let out a breath. “I suppose you might be right. She seemed to appreciate my presence at Elizabeth’s birth.” He smiled fondly. “Her extensive vocabulary and inventive curses were almost enough to geld a man.”
His words brought to mind Rosanna’s early comments. Dom didn’t know anything about James’s wife. “Doesn’t Alys have family who’d want to be aware of the birth?”
Why had he never thought to ask these questions before? It hadn’t mattered as long as his friend was happy, but now that Rosanna was spouting off nonsense… He had to understand where it was coming from.
James turned to him, expression devoid of any emotion. He shook his head slowly and said, “Alys doesn’t have anyone, save us.”
“I see.” But he didn’t. “Rosanna said some odd things regarding your wife.”
James let out a string of curses that had probably rivaled his account of the duchess’s. “She should not have said anything.” James seemed rather upset Rosanna had talked about Alys, but he didn’t regret asking about it because he had to make sure Rosanna didn’t do anything foolish.
Was there some truth to her earlier statements? No, it couldn’t possibly be. Time travel wasn’t at all achievable. Her belief in Alys being from the future was utterly ridiculous. Alys was from America, yes, but not from a different time. “Why don’t you illuminate me,” Dom said carefully. He wasn’t sure what James believed he knew. It would be better and more enlightening if he let his friend give him the details.
“What was Rosanna doing when she told you about Alys?”
Dom wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything. What did it matter? It should be easy enough for his friend to explain the particulars of how Alys came to be in England. “She was staring out at the sea near the edge of the cliff.”
Dashing Rogues: A Historical Romance Collection Page 4