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“Marianne said you were master of something or other. Master of letters perhaps? You do seem to do a lot of reading and writing.”

He raised an imperious brow at her. “Did she?”

Marianne squirmed a little. “I said I didn’t know what you did. Not really.”

“Rose is actually quite close. I do look after certain correspondence for the prince.”

“Oh, what kind of correspondence?” Rose asked.

“I could not reveal that. He would lop off my head and put it on a spike on the tower bridge.”

“He is playing with us, I think,” Rose said with a smirk.

“I agree. How mean of you, Edward.”

“I am at your service,” he said with a mocking bow.

“And here I thought it was simply estate matters,” the dowager said with a huff. “Honestly, Edward. You should get someone to help you. A secretary, perhaps, or a clerk.”

“I will think on it, Mother.”

Marianne knew by the look on his face that he would not think on it, not even for one minute. Perhaps his work for the prince had something to do with Anthony. He was a spy after all. Well, not technically anymore, but he had been, and Edward did seem to discuss things with Anthony in private instead of in front of the family.

Mother pulled out her fan from her reticule and fanned herself furiously. “Surely, Edward, you should tell the prince that you have too many other duties to attend to. He could find another to read his letters. I cannot fathom what kind of people write to him in the first place.”

Their mother’s assessment did not impress Edward, as he scowled at her fiercely.

“Oh, do not look at me like that. He has any amount of lackeys who could read for him.”

“The prince can read, Mother; I am simply doing what he has asked me to do. It is my duty to my prince and my country. Now, please, no more talk on this subject.”

His mother snapped her fan shut. “I am simply trying to look out for your health, Edward.”

“I know, but you must let me be the judge of that.”

Rose smiled at him in a sympathetic way. “I think that is the problem, Your Grace.”

Marianne closed her eyes. Rose never ceased to amaze her. What was she trying to do?

“I beg your pardon?” her brother said, surprisingly calm.

They all turned to look at Rose. “I just meant maybe you are not the best judge of when you need to stop and rest. That is all.”

“As you are a guest, Lady Rose, let me put this as politely as I can. What I do is none of your business.”

“Of course, I did not mean to offend, just to say what we are all thinking.”

He peered at all of them. “You all think I cannot manage my own workload?”

Marianne found herself nodding, despite herself. Her mother also nodded.

Edward let out a breath, not quite a sigh, not quite a humpf. He looked defeated, and Marianne’s heart dropped, and tears burned behind her eyes. She loved her brother, but some of his decisions were questionable. Rose was right. And now Edward knew it too.

“We say it out of concern,” Marianne said as she reached forward and touched his arm. “You need to take more breaks. Sleep in some days. Let your mind and body rest. You will make yourself sick.”

“Never fear, sister dear. I have three brothers and numerous nephews to take my position if I keel over.”

“Edward!” Mother said, visibly upset.