“If you deserved it, maybe you should.”
“They do not like you defending Rose. After all she’s done, the idea that she could end up a duchess galls them.”
“They made quite a leap there. I have not even—”
“For God’s sake, listen to me!” The sputtered words ended in a hiss.
Thomas stopped, set down the soap, and studied his brother. Heavy shadows hollowed out Robert’s cheeks, and his usually bright eyes had dulled with pain and weariness. His green wool suit was filthy, smeared with dirt and reeking of sweat and smoke, the tartan waistcoat ripped in two places. The charming and glib Robert had vanished.
Thomas nodded. “I’m listening.”
“These men are dangerous. Bentley is more ruthless in business than he ever was in Society. He hires vicious men to keep order in his warehouses, and they are quick with a club or a pistol. One of Bill’s own guards, Gilley, works for Bentley during the day, and he’s heard a lot. Rose has not just shamed some prancing and amorous rakes. She’s upended men who do not like being challenged. They would not hesitate to hurt her. Or you, if they think you are involved with her.”
Thomas crossed his arms. “What do you suggest?”
Another shrug. “I don’t know that there’s anything you can do to stop them. Except be forewarned.” Robert scrubbed one hand in his hair. “You keep an eye out. I will keep an ear out.”
“We will. We will not let anything happen to her.”
Robert finally gave a wry grin as he shook his head. “I knew it. I saw it when you were waltzing with her. She’s cracked that façade of yours and wriggled inside.”
Thomas grabbed Robert’s arm and hauled him to his feet. “You, dear brother, need a bath and a beefsteak.” He pushed him toward the door.
“And a nap. A really long nap.”
“No doubt.” Thomas pushed him into the hallway. “I suggest you pursue that immediately.”
Robert stumbled backward, but pointed at Thomas. “You could not do much better than Lady Rose, Tommy. But you could definitely do a lot worse.”
Thomas closed the door.You’re right about one thing. I definitely could not do much better. And if anyone touches her, he will regret it.
*
“Wake up, youlazy creature. Just because I woke you after midnight does not mean you can laze about all morning.”
Athena glowered at Rose, then stretched lazily atop the pile of covers Rose had rolled back when she’d emerged from the comfort of her bed. With the self-awareness and vengeance of cats worldwide, Athena moved to Rose’s pillow, sat down, lifted a hind leg, and began to groom her nether region.
Rose let out a long sigh, and Sarah giggled as she put the final touches on Rose’s hair for the day—a simple braid caught up into a bun clasped near the stiff and high collar of her day gown. “I’ll ask the housemaid to change the linens on your pillows, my lady. Are you sure you do not want to wear something a touch more festive today?”
Rose wrinkled her nose, glancing down at her simple worsted wool dress. The deep forest green flattered Rose’s coloring, while its style was current but serviceable for someone who had to move around a lot. “I don’t have time to be changing clothes four times a day. And my meeting with Lord Newbury is a business one. We need to be discreet, so he cannot come to my office every time he has information. Our walk in the park will be a quick one. You understand your part?”
“Yes, my lady. I pretend to be a chaperone. Close but not too close. And watch for anyone who might be wandering along the same path.”
“The paths near the Cumberland Gate should not be crowded that early in the morning. Anyone out that time of day will be on the other side. We won’t be seen by the cream of Society.”
“But you are still meeting with a marquess.”
Rose gave a low growl. “I’ll wear a stylish bonnet.”
Sarah brightened. “Oh I know just the one.” She inserted the last hairpin and scooted into Rose’s dressing room, emerging with a sweet straw bonnet that had a white horsehair braid around the base of the caul and a velvet, forest green bow on the left side. A green velvet band circled the brim and dropped into ribbons for tying on either side.
“Oh, that is nice. Where did you get that?”
“In one of Lady Beatrice’s trunks. I thought it might go with the gown you wore to the Higginbotham ball, but you decided on lace over the chignon instead.”
“Yes. I suppose I should start stocking a lot of lace caps. I’ll need them in the future.”
“Now, my lady—”
