Page 9 of Courting the Wrong Duke

“I expect nothing.” He paused before continuing. “I only ask that you believe I cared greatly for your father.”

The words landed heavily.

Memories were dangerous things, but people changed.

“You cared for him,” she repeated quietly.

“I did.”

“And yet you have done nothing.”

Something hardened behind his eyes. “You mistake ignorance for indifference.”

She opened her mouth to answer, but Isabella's hand settled lightly against her arm.

“Rosalind.”

She ignored her as William continued. “I have asked myself the same questions you have.”

“You have?”

“Yes.” His gaze did not waver. “And I have found no answers.”

She searched his face. There was no triumph there.

No fear.

Only exhaustion.

It frightened her more than any lie could have.

Because if William truly had no answers, she had reached the end of every path she knew to follow.

Isabella stepped forward. “We should leave.”

Rosalind did not move.

William looked between the two women before speaking again. “Meet me tomorrow.”

She frowned. “What?”

“Hyde Park.”

She laughed softly. “You cannot possibly imagine I would agree to that.”

“I imagine you are running out of places to look.” The words stung because they were true. “Bring Miss Hartwell.”

He glanced toward his friend. “My friend will accompany me.”

Gabriel inclined his head.

Rosalind knew Gabriel Frost by reputation as much as acquaintance. He and William had been inseparable for years, first as young gentlemen finding their place in society, and now as men. She could not remember attending a ball, musicale, or exhibition where one had appeared without the other.

“We will compare everything we know,” William continued.

Rosalind folded her arms. “Why?”

William hesitated.