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“Nothing for now. The terms of the will are still intact. You will continue to get your allowance for now. I will put in an objection to Brookhaven’s suit. That alone may be enough to scare him off, but prepare yourself if he decides to bullheadedly go ahead anyway. Relationships with family can be difficult.”
Indeed. “Thank you, Your Grace. I am so lucky to have you on my side.” She rose from the chair, her legs a little wobbly.
Warrington was at her side in a moment. “I know this is a lot to take in, and I do not want you to lose hope.” His large hands slid to her elbows, then to her hands, gripping them as if to give some of his strength to her via their grasp.
Rose gave him a watery smile and, compelled by despair, she pushed forward and into his embrace. She needed comforting arms, and he was right there. His arms hovered for a moment before crushing her against his chest. She rested her head against his heart, and the steady beat beneath her ear reassured her. He did have a heart, and the more she got to know him, the more the picture of the dark, evil, mysterious duke faded, replaced by the man who was comforting her.
“I will not allow him to get away with this. Be assured I will speak to the Prince Regent if I have to.”
“I have put you to so much bother when you are already so busy with more important duties.”
“Rose,” he said as he gently pushed her back so he could see her face. “I would do this because it is right. Your brother is an arse.”
She laughed. “Yes, he is.”
He smiled. It transformed his face. Just when she thought he could not get any more handsome. “Trust me and we will see you through this. You have the Warrington title behind you, and if I need to…I will marry you.”
Rose stepped back in shock. “Marry me?”
“Or rather an engagement. Do not worry; I would not saddle you with an unwanted engagement for too long, and hopefully it would not be needed.”
She moved to the window so she could think about what he had just proposed. “You would put yourself in such a position for me? Why?”
He leaned a hip against his desk. “To protect you, of course.”
Rose looked over her shoulder. “If it all goes wrong, it would be a scandal. If I cried off, it would hurt your family. I could not do that. Not to Marianne and not to…you.”
“Then let’s hope it does not come to that. Do not fret for my reputation.”
“Of course, nothing touches you, does it, Your Grace?”
He sighed and came to stand behind her. They both looked out at the view beyond, the garden below. “You know that is not true. Please, call me Edward when we are alone.”
The urge to lean back against him was strong, but instead she gripped the windowsill. “We should not be alone.”
“And yet…we have been alone many times in this room.”
“Indeed, we have. It does not change the fact that we should not.”
“True. Will you come to borrow a book from me tonight, perhaps?”
Rose held her breath for a moment. Was he asking her to come to him? For more kisses? “Perhaps. I must first go to an art gallery with Marianne and Lord Dunstan. You should come with us. You can show me what you like.”
“I have work to do here,” he said.
“Of course, you have spent your morning on me. I’m sorry,” she said, and she meant it.
He frowned. “I did not mean it like that.”
“I know, but my issues have just added to your burden, and for that I am sorry.”
“I would have done it for any of Marianne’s guests.”
Ah, and there it was. Duty, responsibility, debt. Would he claim kisses from her as some kind of payment? “I should go. I need to get ready.” She rose on her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. One small fee paid. Then ran from the room. Not exactly a dignified exit, but she did not want him to feel any more obligation to her.
It was not fair to him, and for the fifth time that day, she cursed her brother for causing so much trouble.
When she got into the carriage with Marianne and Lord Dunstan, she felt strange about being there to chaperone. At the last minute, the door opened, and the duke jumped in.
