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“You are sweet, Edward, but I think you should consult the family. I will, of course, defer to their decision.”

“You knew this was the route he would take.”

“I know my brother. He is bullheaded when it comes to things like this. I was hoping he would get bored or think it was too hard to wrestle against you, but, unsurprisingly, he has stayed the course.” She looked up at him, and when he placed his hands on her cheeks, she thought he was going to kiss her.

“You are a brave one, Rose. I admire your resolve and your courage. I wish I had half as much.”

Brave? Not really. She would keep her tears to herself until she was alone, and then she would lament how her life had gone so wrong. How she had let herself fall for the one man who wanted her but would never marry her. She held onto his lapels as his head descended. This may be their last kiss, and she would return it with all her heart.

A knock at the door had them spring apart, and she hoped it was not too obvious that she was blushing.

Marianne’s head appeared in the crack of the door. “Jameson said you were in the parlor. I hope I did not interrupt anything.”

“No, come in.” Rose smiled weakly. “We have been discussing my societal demise.”

“Demise?” Marianne hurried across the room to sit next to her, as her brother had risen and taken a position by the window.

“My brother is taking me to court,” Rose explained.

“That dirty, rotten—”

“Scoundrel? Yes, that would be him. I think I should move out but your brother does not agree.”

“Move out? Whatever for?”

“Marianne, this will be a scandal. It will be in all the papers, and even if I win against him, my reputation will be ruined, which is exactly what he wants. I cannot have my problems affect this family. You have all been too kind to me.”

“Well, I do not care if Edward does not.”

“You say that now, but what if Dunstan does not want to associate with me and, by extension, it affects you? I would not blame him, as he has his younger brother to think about.”

“I do not think Dunstan will…” She looked over to her brother, who still had his back to them. “Edward? Do you think he will refuse to marry me because of this?”

Edward turned to face them. “Who knows how he will react? Rose is right in that he must think of his own family. However, if I have his measure and he loves you, he will not let this stop him from marrying you. Not that he has yet asked for permission.”

Marianne grasped Rose’s hands in hers. “I will support you in whichever way I can.”

“I know you will, but promise me, if this does turn nasty that you will distance yourself from me.”

“I cannot see a moment when I will have to,” Marianne replied.

The duke bowed, taking a few steps towards the door. He turned back towards them as he turned the handle. “Let us hope the judge finds this as ridiculous as we all do and throws out this outrageous claim in quick order.”

If only it could be so easy. She turned back to Marianne, who had tears in her eyes, and Rose found herself comforting her friend.

“Oh, Rose. I just cannot believe that Cecil would stoop so low.”

“I had hoped he would forget all about me, but I suppose his need for revenge against me is more important than just being the Earl of Brookhaven and living his own life.”

“I see this is not a shock to you, but surely you must be scared.”

“I am. At first, I thought he simply wished to ruin my financial stability, but then when I realized that would never be enough for him, I knew that he would use everything he had against me. Now I am just sad. Sad that it has come to this. It is what he will make up to discredit me that worries me the most, as I cannot prepare for that.” A tear escaped her eyes, and Marianne pulled her into her embrace.

“We will not let him hurt you. Edward will not allow it. He likes you, and he does not like anyone.”

“This is your brother we are talking about. He tolerates me, and now I am causing him more work. If he liked me once, I would say that is no longer true.” But she did like him. In actual fact, she did not know what Edward thought of her. He had said he needed to see her every day, but what did that mean? She knew he liked to kiss her, but would he want more in return for his help?

Rose went to her room to prepare for a small soiree at Lady Franklin’s, who was a good friend of the dowager’s. She let Elsie do what she wished, her mind too occupied.