“W-why not?” she stammered, her eyes going wide.
“There has been a change of plans. We must leave London and go to Carramere Castle for a few days.”
“But… why?” She looked confused, even a little on edge. Carramere Castle was far from London, and he knew it wasn’t an ideal place for a young lady like Rosalie to spend the London Season. Then her eyes narrowed, and suspicion spread over her face. “Has something happened? My father, or perhaps Lord Cain…”
“Lord Cain?” Nathan was taken aback. “Are you afraid that he is going to attempt something nefarious?”
“No,” she said quickly, “I was just surprised by the sudden change of plans.”
“No, it is nothing like that,” he lied quickly. He cast around for a good reason, one that wouldn’t crush her with disappointment, and then he hit on an idea. “It is just that I am taking you on a honeymoon.”
This certainly distracted Rosalie. Her mouth fell open, and the blush in her cheeks became even deeper.
“You’ve never mentioned a honeymoon!” she squeaked. “Surely, considering the speed of our marriage, and its unusual nature, we do not need a honeymoon.”
“Are you saying you do not want one?” he asked, arching an eyebrow. “I was under the impression that you were a romantic. Surely you have always dreamed of a honeymoon.”
“Well…” she bit her lip. “Yes, that is true. But ours was not exactly a love match, and it is not as if… Well, aren’t honeymoons supposed to be for the making of heirs? I’m still not sure if I am ready… That is to say, we still do not know each other… and I am… Well, I have not made up my mind about whether…”
She was having trouble finishing her sentences, and he was tempted to laugh. She was adorable when she was flustered, but he suspected that it would only fluster her more if he were to point this out.
“Put your mind at ease,” he reassured her. “Our honeymoon can continue just as our marriage already is. There is no need to rush anything. I merely thought that some time away together, getting to know one another, would be helpful. And it would show thetonthat ours is a real, normal marriage, and not a fabrication meant to put to bed a scandal.”
“But itisa fabrication meant to put to bed a scandal,” she said uncertainly.
“Which is why we must act like a regular couple and go on a honeymoon.”
“I see…” She bit her lip. “And you think that will put an end to the gossip and rumors?”
“I think it will certainly help.”
“Carramere Castle, though… It’s not exactly France or Rome, is it?”
Nathan actually laughed. “Are you actually trying to get me to take you somewhere more luxurious?”
She gave him a coy, almost flirtatious smile, and his heart leapt in his chest. “Well, if we’re going to have a honeymoon, we ought to try and make it look as real as possible, don’t you think?”
Nathan was tempted. For a moment, he wanted to ignore the letter on his desk and whisk Rosalie off to the continent for the romantic honeymoon he knew she had dreamed of all her life.
But their honeymoon wouldn’t be romantic. They weren’t in love. He had already ruined her dreams. Why not continue now?
“My business won’t allow me to get away for long,” he said, and he could hear how much colder his voice had already become. He looked down at his desk. “Carramere Castle is all I can do for now.”
“Oh… all right then.” The disappointment in her voice was palpable, but he didn’t look back up at her or offer any kind of apology. She hovered in front of the desk for a little longer, but when he didn’t look up or acknowledge her, she turned and left.
She’ll get over it, he told himself, even as the gnawing feeling of guilt built in his stomach.This isn’t a real marriage anyway.
And he had more important things to think about than Rosalie’s romantic dreams.
He was only able to understand the first half of the letter, but it wasn’t good: Lord Redfield, an old ally of the former Lord Carfield, Rosalie’s father, had died in prison. His son had inherited the title of Marquess, and with it, there was suspicion that he was behind the sudden influx in opium in the streets. Scotland Yard knew that someone influential and wealthy was importing opium from the Orient into England, and because several distribution centers near Redfield’s land had been busted, they suspected the opium was coming from his land.
The Carramere Duchy was right next to Redfield’s lands, and whoever had sent the letter wanted him, Nathan, to look into it.
Something was rotten in the Redfield Marquessate, and if it had something to do with Carfield, that could mean trouble was once more brewing for Rosalie and her sisters.
And that was one thing Nathan was not about to let happen.
Chapter Eight
