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“Rosalind.” She looked up from her letter. Her eyes were moist. Instantly, his excitement ebbed. “Is something wrong?”

She shook her head. “Not at all.” She raised her letter slightly. “It is from my mother. She has removed from London to Langton Manor and writes to tell me all the news from there.” She attempted a smile. “As wonderful as it is to hear from her, I suppose it makes me miss my former home a little.”

He did not know what to say. “Would you like to go and visit?”

“Yes.” She stared at the letter in her hand as though seeing Langton Manor and her mother in its pages. “But I think I should like to wait for a while. I . . . I should like to find my place here first.”

Her words touched him. As did her courage. “I am glad. But whenever you are ready, the journey can be arranged.”

“Thank you, Sebastian.” She turned to look at him. “Was there something you wanted to tell me?”

Lud. When had his concern for Rosalind become such a priority that it erased all other thoughts from his head? “I have heard from Mr. Darby,” he said. “He has agreed to cast the pieces for the new bridge.”

“Sebastian! That is marvelous news.”

He smiled at her obvious delight. “It is. I shall write back to him immediately, asking him to begin without delay.” He hesitated. He did not want to leave her until he knew she was over the worst of her homesickness. “Who is your other letter from?”

She picked up the envelope and studied the handwriting with a puzzled look. “I do not know.”

He watched while she opened it and read the letter within. When she raised her head, her expression appeared all the more confused.

“It is from Mr. Sellers,” she said.

Sebastian had suffered a stab of jealousy when he’d encountered Mr. Sellers with Rosalind at Langton House. But it was nothing to the fiery lancing he was currently experiencing. “What does he say?” He considered his nonchalant tone to be a major accomplishment.

“He is visiting family members in Surrey and wishes to call on me.” She paused, her brow furrowed. “Is that entirely proper? He knows that I am married; the name and address on the envelope prove it. Why would he wish to see me?”

Sebastian could think of several reasons. And every single one of them made his blood boil. “Does he say what dates he will be in the area?”

She studied the letter again. “No. Nor the name of the family he is visiting.”

“Then he will have to accept his fate if you are unavailable when he arrives.”

“Yes.” She slid the letter back into the envelope. “I suppose he will.”

Sebastian gritted his teeth. He wanted to ask Rosalind to have Vickers tell the gentleman that she was not at home when he called. The Society code for not wishing to further the acquaintance would go a long way toward putting Sebastian’s mind at ease. But with their relationship still at its beginning stages, he was reluctant to appear heavy-handed. He would place his trust in her to navigate this social connection quandary, but he would also put Vickers on high alert. His butler could be counted upon to monitor all visitors to Finley Park—especially if any of them posed a threat to the duke’s or duchess’s well-being.

“I had best reply to Mr. Darby,” he said, coming to his feet.

“Yes.” Her pensive expression cleared, and she smiled. “You must have him start on your designs right away.”

A gnawing urgency propelled Sebastian to his study, but it had nothing to do with an iron bridge and everything to do with his wife. By the time he reached his desk, he knew what he must do. Setting aside the letter from Mr. Darby, he withdrew a sheet of paper from the drawer, dipped his quill in ink, and began to write.

Finley Park, Surrey

17 October 1782

Dear Lord Bloxley,

The Duchess of Kelbrook recently received an unsolicited missive from Mr. Nigel Sellers. She was good enough to share its contents with me, and although the application he made of her appears harmless, the fact that he made it at all gives me considerable cause for concern.

As you likely are aware, other than the weeks expended fulfilling my obligations in Parliament, I have spent little time in London over the last few years. Indeed, I met Mr. Sellers for the first time under a month ago, and my knowledge of his character and background is minimal. For this reason, I am writing to ask if you would be so good as to share any factual information you may possess regarding the gentleman that may help in assessing his motives.

I should add that it is your reputation for integrity and your close connection with the duchess and her family that makes my request possible. I also wish to reassure you that said request is made solely out of my earnest desire to protect the duchess from harm.

Your prompt reply would be most appreciated.

Yours sincerely,