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“Yes, yes, of course, but even His Majesty goes to that white elephant he is creating down in Brighton. Surely, he could spare you a few weeks here and there when Parliament is not sitting.”

Edward shrugged. “It is a pity, but unfortunately, my work demands I stay in London.”

Dunstan shook his head. “I honestly do not know how you stand it. I long for the fresh air of the countryside within weeks of being here. I love to travel and see new things, paint new vistas. I could not stay here indefinitely. I guess I have travel dust in my veins.”

“I did like your painting of Greece,” Rose said, trying to guide Dunstan onto another path.

“Oh, yes. I painted that on my grand tour, but it is harder to travel now. I long for Paris but the city is still very unsettled. I have thought of going to Switzerland and painting the vistas there.”

“Oh, I have heard they have the most magnificent mountains there,” Marianne exclaimed.

He looked at once surprised and pleased. “I did not know you yearned to travel, Lady Marianne.”

“I have never left England, I confess, but I would like to see what else there is to see and explore.”

“Well, I hope that someday you will see that the world is a most fascinating place and get to enjoy some of what traveling has to offer. The food alone in France or Italy is worth the sea voyage.”

“I would love to try that. To take my watercolors and paint foreign horizons.” Marianne looked up dreamily at Dunstan, and Rose caught Edward smiling behind his cup.

A duke and a matchmaker. How confident he was with his little plan. Dunstan obviously had developed feelings for Marianne last year but must have felt compelled to carry on his courtship of Lucinda. So, it was not as though there were no emotions involved before Edward stepped in. Perhaps, not so much a matchmaker but a love strategist?

“The dowager duchess will have conniptions the whole time you would be away, and I will be left to mop up her tears.”

Marianne smiled, picking up her cup. “I am sure she would be happy for me.”

“Oh, no doubt, but on the other hand she would be anxious that you, her only daughter, may never return.” The duke turned to Rose then. “Do you have a fancy to travel, Lady Rose?”

“I have never considered it an option but…I would be tempted, and if my husband also wanted to travel, I would not be opposed to it.”

“Has any young man taken your fancy this season?” Dunstan asked.

“Not yet, but there are plenty of amiable men about. I do not want an overbearing husband. I already have a brother like that.”

“I am sure he is just looking out for your best interests,” Dunstan said.

Was he trying to placate her? Rose gave a short but bitter laugh. “I assure you he does not.”

When Marianne also shook her head, he asked, “Do I know this brother of yours?”

“Perhaps. He is new to London, having just become the Earl of Brookhaven after my father passed a few months ago.”

“I am so sorry for your loss. Brookhaven? I think he got himself into some trouble at the Pierrepont ball a few weeks back. Gambled a great sum if I remember. They were all teasing him that he had better mind his cards in future, lest he lose his whole fortune in one season.”

The duke motioned to a waiter before saying, “He will be the focus of card sharps now. An easy play. Do let us know if you hear any other such stories about him.”

“Of course.”

The waiter removed their cups as the duke stood, offering his hand to Rose. She took his hand and felt the power and strength of this man. He led the way back to the carriage and handed her in. Marianne followed, smiling at Dunstan when he sat opposite her. Rose could see that the man opposite her was already creating a missive to his brother Anthony in his head about her brother.

The more she heard about her brother, the more she was sure he was after her money to satisfy his debts. It would be a help to her cause if he had got himself into trouble, but she worried about those who depended on him. For their livelihoods and their futures. The future of the estate that her father and his predecessors had so carefully cultivated over centuries. Whether his actions were for greed or revenge, neither of them would come out of it unscathed in some way. Did her brother truly know the consequences his actions would cost, not just her but his own reputation?

Chapter Thirteen

While the women went to a small soiree later that night, Edward worked. Even though he had passed on his estate matters to Charles, it seemed his work continued to pile up around him like walls of information threatening to collapse on him, threatening to drown him if he did not keep up, but he could not regret going to the gallery this afternoon. He had enjoyed himself. He could not remember the last time he had laughed, genuinely laughed.

Edward sealed the latest report and looked at the fire in the grate, watching the flames dance and sway, wisps of smoke twirling over the coals before disappearing up the chimney. His mind wandered. Rose had looked particularly fetching today. He had itched to run his fingers through the golden curls that framed her face. To run the back of his fingers over her soft cheek. To kiss her. To inhale the heated scent that was hers alone. He should not have such thoughts. He had been a fool to kiss her in the first place. He still did not understand why he had done it, other than she looked like she needed to be kissed. Maybe he needed it too.

She was on the marriage mart, looking for a husband. His sister’s friend. What a fool. She was not for him, but still his cock stirred whenever she was near, and he found himself thinking of her often. Where was she now? Was she sketching? Taking tea? Was she crying with worry over that brother of hers? Well, of course she was, but he did not like the idea of her crying tears over it. How could he convince her he would not let the scoundrel get away with taking what was rightfully hers?