The momentary inertia that had seized her finally released its grasp on Rose, much to her relief. She could feel the heat ebbing and flowing from her cheeks as they flooded with color and then paled as she thought of all the ramifications of their interlude. Once again, her eyes darted around to make sure no one was watching them or had seen what had transpired. Relief flooded her as she realized they were alone.
“Whatever were you thinking, Your Grace?” she demanded.
“I was thinking that you looked delectably adorable in your righteous indignation,” Alex explained with a drawl, biting back his grin as her ire rose as if on cue.
“You are truly as despicable as my parents have been saying the Wrenthams are. I did not want to believe it, but you have just proven that it is true.” She barely recognized the soft breathy voice that was issuing from her lips and cringed at the lack of certainty and the utter disappointment she could hear.
****
Alex could hear the crack of her hand still ringing in his ears, and he was fleetingly surprised at the sting her little hand had managed to produce. The sensual haze he had momentarily been in quickly dissipated as he took in the horror and terror etched on Rose's beautiful face. It was highly inappropriate, but he felt like smiling seeing her rosebud mouth scrunched up into such a look of bitter distaste. It did not sit right on her usually open, smiling face.
Alex refused to be cowed by this slip of a girl, he was a duke for heaven's sake, but it required a great deal of effort. Straightening himself to his fullest height and gathering all his dignity around him, he looked down his nose at her. Keeping a tight rein on his own temper and trying to keep in mind that she was no doubt laboring under a plethora of emotions, he hoped he would not say something he could not take back because clearly thinking before she spoke was not of much concern to his Rosie.
“Pull yourself together, Rosamund,” he bade her in as authoritative a tone as he could muster. “I have not accosted you in any truly dastardly way, as you are clearly thinking at this moment. Naught is amiss here. I thought a girl with your experience would comprehend and be able to handle the heightened senses that a situation such as this can cause.”
Feeling like a toad as he saw the myriad of emotions that crossed her expressive face, Alex hated himself for playing upon the worries he was well aware concerned her. He could not help the awe he felt as he saw her pull her dignity and composure around herself like a cloak.
****
Her pride stiffened her spine and she was able to look him in the eye as she coolly began speaking, obviously deciding to just ignore the entire personal situation and merely address the whole reason they had met up in the first place.
“Thank you for meeting up with me, Your Grace. I had a very enlightening conversation with Lady Yorkleigh about Sir Broderick yesterday and it became more obvious why he would be so intent upon controlling you. He is out to control the government. You are high enough in the House of Lords for his needs. According to Lady Yorkleigh, Sir Broderick has had his sights set upon The Prince for quite some time.”
“Prinny?” Alex asked, incredulous. “Whatever for?”
“While, if I understand correctly, although his authority has been drastically curtailed, he is still the regent of our country and will one day be King. He may not have as much power as his father or grandfather once did, but he is still the monarch. As such, he has the most authority in all the land.”
“If you believe that you are far more naïve than I ever thought,” Alex scoffed.
Rose could feel her eyebrows spring into her hairline and her jaw unhinged inelegantly. “Now you are just being ridiculous, Your Grace,” she huffed.
“No, I am not, my dear,” Alex explained rather condescendingly much to Rose's disgust. His snide smile made her palm itch to slap his face again, but she managed to keep it firmly at her side.
****
Alex saw her clench her hands and had to exert an effort over his features to keep a grin from breaking over his face. The lovely young woman is so easy to goad if you know her well enough. He could see that the situation between the Smythes and Wrenthams was going to have to be straightened out as soon as possible, because there was no way he was going to be able to stand by and watch this treasure be married off to someone else. He would learn to live with her managing ways. He now knew the quiet girl he had envisioned as his wife would bore him to tears. And while he missed his brother, the circumstances of his death did not need to dictate Alex's own future. Chastising himself that such thoughts were not at all helpful at the moment, he shoved the idea from his mind for the time being and returned to the subject at hand.
Realizing it would not do to have her stomp off in a huff as they still needed to work together amicably to clear up the Broderick situation, Alex tried for a placating tone. “You were, of course, correct in stating that the Prince Regent holds the highest office of authority,” Alex began, placing slight emphasis on the word office. “But as you also said, much of his power has been curtailed. The man who wields the most authority is actually the Prime Minister.”
Alex could see Rose's eyes widening in surprise as he began his explanation and had to bite back his amusement. It was clear that he had been paying attention to his lessons in school and had been working hard in the government over the past few years. He had never had interests like this when they had been friends.
She finally waved him to silence. With a sweet, conciliatory smile upon her lips she offered an apology. “Your Grace, I am sorry for calling you ridiculous. Clearly you know much more than you ever let on. But please recall that I am fairly well educated in these matters as well. We are wasting our precious time by standing here debating the politics of the situation. It matters naught. The fact is, your very speech reveals even more why Broderick would be wanting to control you. As the Duke of Wrentham you are, by birth, highly placed in our government's affairs. And by the words you just spoke you displayed a degree of knowledge and involvement that make you dangerous to anyone not on the same side as you.”
Alex blinked at her in surprise. Rose's lips twitched with her amusement, and she was clearly taken aback to see his answering grin.
“How can you find this funny?” she asked with confusion.
“Another perspective is always so helpful,” he explained rather vaguely. Now it was his turn to wave for silence as he could see that Rose was about to launch into speech. “You were absolutely right—we must not waste any time. We really need to ensure that we are not seen together. I fear that Broderick may have taken notice of you and I do not want you in harm's way. It would be most helpful if we could ascertain what exactly he is after. Do you think he wants to be Prime Minister or some such position, or is he after something more specific?”
“Men that seek power are so often after both more power and something specific,” Rose answered pensively. “In Broderick's case I have never taken the time to try to figure out the workings of his mind, but in Vienna he was involved in fouling up the land divisions. I am uncertain how that benefits him, but you can be sure it does somehow, whether someone was paying him handsomely or if the land in question was his. Now there are to be more negotiations taking place in Paris shortly. My father is about to depart.”
“Your father is leaving town,” Alex repeated in surprise. “But that shall leave you without protection.”
Rose blinked at the duke with surprise, clearly unsure how to respond to his remark. “I do not know whether I should remind you that I do not require protection or to explain that my father's absence will not leave me unprotected,” she said with a small laugh. She then looked around at where they were and Alex could see she was remembering what had transpired between them. A tide of warm color rose in her cheeks. “Well, maybe I do need protection,” she conceded with another small laugh. “But my father's presence or absence will not make much difference in that regard.” Seeing the arguments written on Alex's face she continued, placating, “My brother is to arr
ive in Town on the morrow, so I shall still have a male family member about, have no fear.”
Remembering her brother as a towheaded little boy did not reassure the duke as to his friend's safety. “Your brother is a boy, Rosamund, what good will he be?”
“Time does march on, Your Grace. He is just about to turn nineteen. He has finished his schooling and he has even been on the Grand Tour for some time. It is hard to imagine, but he is practically a man.”
They shared an amused smile before Rose continued. “Once again, we have strayed from our topic. I do declare, Your Grace, we are rather useless at this. It would seem we could fritter the day away mumbling nonsense at each other and we shall have nothing accomplished. I must be leaving shortly or my absence will be remarked upon. Do tell me if you can think of anything we ought to be doing.”
Alex grinned at his companion and then wrinkled his brow. “You are right, it does seem like we could easily spend the day together.”
Rose grew flustered. “That is not what I was trying to say, Your Grace,” she insisted with discomfort.
“I know, I know,” Alex soothed. “I was merely funning you. Now, do you have any ideas? Do you think it might be best to put a bug in your father's ear at this point? It would seem that neither of us is fully equipped to thwart the knight in whatever nefarious plot he might have. If it does have something to do with the treaties being negotiated in Paris, since neither you nor I are going, there is nothing we can do to stop him.”
Rose chewed her lip as she thought on his words, oblivious to the intent expression descending upon the duke's face as he watched her, licking his own lips hungrily. He tried to wipe all expression from his face as her attention returned to him.
“Are you quite all right, Your Grace?” she asked solicitously. “You look a trifle unwell.”
“I am perfectly fine, thank you for asking,” he declared with aplomb. “What have you decided?”
“I think you are quite correct. We do need my father involved now, there is no avoiding it. But this might be the last time we can talk.”
Alex found the earnest look she cast his way to be utterly endearing and felt his heart swell with emotion that he made every effort to keep within bounds as she continued.
“It is quite possible that I shall be banished to our estate if I cannot find the perfectly correct words to convey the seriousness of the matter to my father. Even if I do find the right words, if I have to tell him of our involvement, that will most likely still be the outcome. Or mayhap he will take me with him to Paris, although he no doubt is fully aware that that would be a reward, not a punishment,” she mused with a grin.
When Alex made to protest she waved away his concerns. “Do not trouble yourself, Your Grace. I cannot say that I am truly attached to this Season business. It does not suit my disposition to be placed on the market for matrimonial bidding. As you yourself have remarked, I am not the biddable sort of girl most noblemen want to take as their wife, and I so wish to be useful. I will be perfectly happy to go back to the country, or better yet, to head off to Paris with my father. I am not averse to the idea of marriage—it is just that the silliness of catching a husband drives me mad. Perhaps my father will marry me off to the nearest statesman and that will suit us all perfectly well.”
Alex could see that her wobbling smile did not quite reach her eyes, but there was nothing he could do as she bolstered her spirits and plowed on bravely. “I am not telling you this to make you feel sorry for me, Your Grace. I am just wanting to warn you that you might be on your own to deal with Broderick if I do get banished. And in the event that his schemes do not involve Paris, you shall have to be vigilant to thwart him. I know you do not enjoy this sort of shenanigans so you must be sure to enlist whatever help you might need. If I am well away from the situation, you need not fear for my reputation, so it is not as necessary to keep matters secret.”
****
“You look so tragic right at this moment, Rosie. I cannot believe that you are as unmoved by the thought of banishment as you say.”
Alex's concern caused the tear she was valiantly trying to suppress to spill over and slide slowly down her cheek. “I truly would not mind going back to the country,” she explained as she brushed the offending moisture impatiently away. “I just wish I could be around to finish this thing. I am the one who uncovered the problem. I would dearly love to be around to see its resolution.”
“Well then do not borrow trouble, my dear,” Alex declared with confidence. “I do believe you are a sufficiently resourceful girl that you will be able to tell Lord Smythe about this without getting yourself banished. Have you thought about what you will say? Think it through and if you would like you could even practice on me, I could play the role of your father.”
If it had been the duke's intention to make Rose's mood lighten, he did the exactly right thing as she burst into a fit of giggles that was difficult for her to control.
“Oh Alex, you are a complete hand,” she declared after she managed to get her mirth within bounds. “I do not think I could remain serious if you were to try to pretend to be my father, but I do appreciate your suggestion. And you are absolutely correct—if I think on it enough I should be able to muddle my way through. My main concern, even more than the fear of banishment, is to ensure that my father takes this threat seriously and does not merely dismiss it because of your involvement. It might be best if I leave you out completely. This would ensure I get to stay in London to keep an eye on the scoundrel if he does not head to Paris, and would also keep my father focused on the problem. If I can skip over certain details without Papa noticing, I just might be able to pull it off.” She concluded this statement with a cheeky grin.
Alex returned her grin cheerfully. “You were always good at pulling the wool over everyone's eyes when you were a slip of a girl, I am perfectly sure that you are even better at it now than you ever were. If anyone can get Lord Smythe to miss a detail or two, it is you.”
“But your statement reminds me that my father scarcely ever misses a detail, so I shall have to be alert and diligent.” She paused for a moment, deep in thought. “All right, Your Grace, I really must go. This is the best course of action we can take at this point. I will do my utmost to get a message to you as to my father's reaction, whatever the outcome. If he has anything helpful to share I will endeavor to pass it on to you as discreetly as possible, even if I have to leave town.” On an impulse, she grabbed for Alex's hand. “Promise me you will be careful, Alex. Broderick can be a very dangerous man. Do not do anything foolish, and enlist whatever help you might need.”
He must have felt the slight tremble in her hand despite her brave words because Alex squeezed her hand between both of his. “I promise you, little one. I will take care of myself and keep that upstart from causing any trouble for our beloved country. Now you promise me that you will take care of yourself. I know your parents love you and would never harm you, but they are not completely rational when it comes to the subject of Wrenthams. You have repeatedly expressed concern over my hatred of double dealings, but in this case I absolve you of any need for guilt. Lie if you must. I would dearly love to have you remain my partner in this particular endeavor.”
Rose pulled back in surprise, gratified by his concern, but chagrined over his words. “Your Grace, I could never lie outright to my papa. I would like to avoid mentioning any explanation of our particular involvement, but if I cannot avoid it, I will not lie about it. That is where I draw the line in my life of spying.”
She could not quite decipher the flicker of emotions that crossed Alex's face, but Rose felt another wave of goose bumps rise on her flesh as she thought he was about to kiss her again. She took a step back from him, he allowed her to pull her hand from his grasp, and the moment passed.
Alex summed up their conversation with his conclusion. “Very well, Miss Rose. I will trust your judgment and await word from you. I promise to remain vigilant regardless of what transpires betwee
n you and your father. And I will wish you luck,” he finalized with another wide grin.
Rose appreciated his lightening of the mood. She was glad their interlude was about to finish. His presence had been unsettling to her the last few times they encountered one another but this time, with that kiss at the beginning, it was nearly more than she could handle. She was grateful that they had managed to have a coherent conversation despite the swirling emotions she was experiencing, but she was also glad their time together was coming to an end. It would not do for her to fall in love with the Duke of Wrentham, she scolded herself for what felt like the millionth time, as she hurriedly took her leave of him and gathered her things.
Without a backward glance, she strode to the open doorway, but before exiting the room she could not resist turning back for one last look at the handsome nobleman. With an upraised hand she waved goodbye and forced her reluctant feet to bear her away.
****
Alex was left staring at the empty doorway, his arm still elevated in the small wave they had exchanged. With rueful regret he took a deep breath and turned away. Looking about, he decided to leave by another way. His usually alert senses were somewhat preoccupied by thoughts of Miss Smythe. He wondered if they would ever again be able to share such easy camaraderie. With renewed determination, he reminded himself that he was a duke, and he would have to make it possible. All of a sudden, though, his dulled wits sharpened as he realized that someone was watching him. From the quick glance he got before that someone got up and tried to hurry away, it looked as though they might have gotten comfortable watching him for a while. That meant that he had been watching them. That is when Alex's blood ran quite cold, and his previously dulled wits truly came into focus.
The Duke Conspiracy Page 20