The interior felt foreign to him now, more so with Lady Rose trailing two steps behind and holding the baby in the crook of her arm.
The staff had assembled in a formal line. Each wore the careful mask of a professional observer, attentive, but never shocked, even when presented with the unexpected.
Felix made a mental note that Lady Rose’s habit needed to be changed as soon as possible. She looked more like a nursemaid than a future duchess.
He introduced her anyway, his voice carrying. “Lady Rose, soon to be Duchess of Carden. This is Lizzie, my ward.”
He found he could not call her a niece without his tongue rebelling, so he left it at that.
The staff bowed or curtsied in turn. The housekeeper—a formidable woman with a sharp gaze and wicked tongue—did not even blink at the baby, but met Lady Rose with a look, the girl by his side almost shrinking under the scrutiny. The woman ran more wayward noblewomen than anyone through her kitchen, so she wasn’t to be tested.
Felix enjoyed the thought.
“Your rooms are prepared, my lady,” said the butler. “The nursery is aired, and the nurse will take the child at your discretion.”
“Thank you,” Lady Rose responded, voice thin but steady.
They walked further down the corridor, and Felix was reminded of how many steps led to his study: forty-four, precisely. Before they headed off, the butler peeled away with Lizzie in his arms, the baby blinking up at him as if evaluating her new fate.
Then, Felix turned to Lady Rose. He meant to say something that would ease the tension, but she cut him off.
“Are you going to tell Lord Aldworth the truth?” she asked.
He admired the directness, even as it irritated him. “A version of it,” he said. “He’s my friend.”
Lady Rose chewed her lip, an uncharacteristic nervousness flitting across her face. “Are you certain he’s… discreet?”
“I trust him,” Felix replied steadily.
But before he could elaborate, the doors at the end of the corridor burst open. Lord David Aldworth appeared. His hair was ruffled and his waistcoat slightly unbuttoned, as if he’d been pacing the study with a drink in hand.
He stopped dead at the sight of Rose.
“Lady Rose!” he boomed. “We meet again. I confess, I did not expect to find you at Carden Hall, of all places.”
She managed a thin smile in response. “A pleasure to see you, Lord Aldworth. I also wish our reunion would occur under different circumstances.”
David eyed her carefully. “Well then.” His gaze flicked to Felix, then back to Rose. “I beg your pardon, but what exactly is going on?”
Felix waited for Lady Rose to answer, curious whether her bluntness would prevail. Instead, she just looked at the floor while her fingers knotted in the folds of her skirt.
“Lady Rose is not in the habit of answering for me,” Felix said. “We’re to be married.”
David’s eyebrows shot up, then he grinned, appearing indecently delighted. “Congratulations are in order, then! Shall I order champagne or the local swill?”
“Nothing stronger than tea for the lady,” Felix replied in a deadpan voice.
David made a show of mock disappointment, but his eyes stayed fixed on Lady Rose. “I hope you know what you’re getting into, Lady Rose. He’s a devil for late hours and worse company.”
“I have gathered that much, my lord,” she said, her voice too quiet.
The awkwardness built for a moment, but Felix found himself grateful for it.
Footsteps echoed down the hall as a female servant arrived, a makeshift lady’s maid, hovering behind them at a respectful distance.
Felix cleared his throat, addressing her, still not able to look away from Lady Rose. “Have a note dispatched to Lady Rose’s parents. Inform them of her change in circumstance and invite them to visit at their earliest convenience. And see to it she’s shown to her rooms.”
The servant inclined her head, first at him, then at Lady Rose, beckoning. “At once, Your Grace.”
