The look in the Duke’s eyes had changed slightly, and Rosalie was a bit surprised by the serious tone his voice had taken. They were halfway across the ballroom floor to where her cousin and his wife were greeting guests, but the Duke’s eyes were fixed on a group of men not far from them.
“Oh, all right,” she said, glancing at them as well. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, you go to your cousin,” the Duke replied. His voice had a tone of finality to it that she didn’t dare argue with, so she nodded, and he moved off in the direction of the men.
She watched him go for a moment, feeling confused.
One minute, he’s saying I should write a book then the next, he’s abandoning me at this ball! To talk business? What could be so important right now?
She forced herself to turn and continue on to Niles. As she did, however, doubt began to creep into her mind.
Nathan doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He doesn’t read the books I read, so he doesn’t know what’s good and what’s bad. Anyway, he has no reason to think I’d be any good at writing! Coming up with romantic situations is very different from actually writing a book! I’m sure he’s just trying to be nice, but getting my hopes up only to have them dashed when publishers realize I’m a terrible writer will feel even worse!
By the time she reached her cousin, Rosalie had convinced herself that there was no way she could become a writer and that her husband was getting her hopes up for no reason at all.
I wish he hadn’t even mentioned it!she thought despairingly.He can’t have any idea what kind of writer I’d be or even what good writing is!
“Rosalie, my dear, you look piqued!”
Rosalie started and looked up. She had reached her cousin, Niles, and he was now looking down at her with an amused expression. Next to him, his new wife was smiling shyly. She was very pretty, Rosalie noted, with a round face, pink cheeks, and kind brown eyes.
“Oh, Cousin Niles!” Rosalie exclaimed. “I’m sorry, I was lost in my own thoughts and didn’t even realize where I was going!”
“No worries at all, my dear,” her cousin said jovially. “I am just glad you are here! I haven’t spoken to you all night, and I wanted to introduce you to my new wife, Genevieve, the new Viscountess of Carfield!”
“It’s very good to make your acquaintance,” Rosalie said, curtsying to the Viscountess. “I’m sorry I missed your wedding. I was on my honeymoon at the time otherwise I would have been honored to have been there.”
“We very much wished you could have been there,” Genevieve said, “but we were delighted to have your sisters there instead. And I must congratulate you on your marriage also! It was the talk of the town when you were married, and I am sure you looked very beautiful on your wedding day because look at you now! You’re so lovely! Oh, all of you sisters are so lovely! No wonder you married dukes! Not that I wanted to; I couldn’t imagine being happier with anyone but Niles. I mean, the Viscount. He is my whole world, you know; I can’t imagine life without him!”
She giggled and pressed a hand to her cheek. “Goodness me, I am talking a lot, aren’t I? I get like this when I get nervous. But you see, I just want you to like me, Your Grace. I want all of Niles’ family to like me. I was ever so nervous to meet you, but now that I have, I feel as if we are family already!”
Rosalie had to laugh. The Viscountess’ voice was high and squeaky but sweet, and although she seemed nervous, she was also charming. Rosalie liked her immediately. There was something naive and kind about the woman that reminded her of Cousin Niles. They were a good match in that way.
“I am very happy to meet you as well,” she said. “And I also already think of us as family! I’m sure that we will get along very well and become fast friends.”
“Oh, I do hope so!” Genevieve gushed. “That is my dearest wish.”
“And you did such a lovely job on the decorations tonight,” Rosalie said, gesturing around at the ballroom. “You throw a very delightful ball—one of the best I’ve been to, and I am quite discerning when it comes to balls.”
“Oh, you are very kind.” Geneive blushed, “and your approval means the world to me.”
“How are you settling into your new home with the Duke?” Cousin Niles asked her.
“Oh, it’s been easier than I thought it would be,” Rosalie said truthfully. “And I must thank you for sending over all of my things! When I first arrived at the Duke’s home, I couldn’t believe how familiar and cozy it felt with all my books and small furniture there! It was very thoughtful of you to think of that.”
Cousin Niles raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I’m glad you thought so, but truthfully, I cannot take credit for that. The Duke requested that I send over all your things, and I would never even think to refuse the request of the Duke of Carramere!”
He and Genevieve exchanged looks that told Rosalie they were very familiar with his reputation. However, this was not her primary concern.
“What do you mean?” she asked swiftly. “The Duke requested that my things be sent over? Before we were even married?”
“But of course. Did you not know?”
“No…” She swallowed. “I didn’t know.”
“I was just glad to know that you had married a man who was so concerned with your happiness and comfort,” Cousin Niles continued. “It seemed to me that you had made a very good match indeed!”
Rosalie, however, was no longer listening. There was a strange buzzing in her ears.
