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He smiled.“In another life, perhaps.”
“Who are you?”she asked, examining him closely again, trying to remember.
“No one really cares who I am, Alice, unless I am able to marry a noblewoman named Rose Elliston.”
* * * * *
Though they weren’tfast friends, Rose kept her arm firmly wound with Anne VanLandingham’s, as they strolled through Hyde Park.In public, Anne never shied from her large and scandalous reputation, which somehow protected the person she was with, which was just what Rose needed—to be unnoticed.Even now Anne was dressed in a bright flurry of reds, yellows and feathers.And for two duchesses to be so intimately ensconced in conversation was hardly noticed amongst the gossipy throng of morning strollers.
“I received a letter from theabbessthis morning.She wants me to visit again,” Rose said in a low voice.
“That was rather timely,” Anne replied.“Perhaps there are more nobles in debt than I had thought.They obviously don’t have your skills at the gaming table, my dear.”
“Hmpf.Maybe I should open my own hell instead of living one.”
Rose took a deep breath—the duchess wasn’t aware of Rose’s exact situation.
There were no right decisions, only expedient ones.The idea of finding a husband quickly and actually accepting an offer made her color rise and her heart race.But what about him, the man who would agree to her proposal?Forced into a corner then being told bluntly her reason for marrying.She almost wished he was a widower, too.
“You are not having second thoughts are you, dear?”
“Do I really want to tie myself to a man who is incapable of managing his own finances?”Rose asked.A devil whispered in her ear, reminding her of her own hypocrisy.
“The pool of suitors is limited.You haven’t told me the particulars of your urgent situation, though I’ve always prided myself on my intuition.In this case, time is more important than money, hence my suggestion for a man indebted.Reverse the tables for once.When your marriage contract is prepared, demand that you providehima quarterly allowance and let it be known that you will not cover any of his new gaming debts.Then avoid him for the duration of your marriage, except for the childbearing.”
Rose laughed.She had to, the situation was so ridiculous and desperate.And avoiding her marriage bed was the least of her concerns.
“I will attend Madame DuPuis as soon as possible.I only wanted to tell you that your idea had born fruit.Hopefully there is more than one to choose from,” Rose said.
“What?One bad and one worse?”the duchess said then laughed.“Oh, that was rude of me, but then I’m not known for precise etiquette.”If Rose remembered rightly, Anne was a coalminer’s daughter from Wales and perhaps understood Rose’s great worry all too well.They stopped beneath a large oak.“Do you want me to escort you back to Madame DuPuis’?I would be happy to do so,” Anne said.
“Thank you, but this is about my future.You didn’t need to offer advice, you know.I would have figured out a solution eventually.”
“When one of my peers cries at one of my splendid balls, it is my duty to help resolve the situation.We duchesses must stand firm together.But do come to Grosvenor Square afterward and we can gossip about the lords in debt to the abbess.”Anne patted Rose’s hand.“And you are not to worry.After you choose your new spouse, Rand and I will host you at our home and set you firmly on the path to social acceptance, duchess or not.When I am done with the two of you, it will be as if everyone fully expected the two of you to marry all along!”
* * * * *
Drinking was reallyMatthew’s only vice.He was growing antsy waiting for Alice to arrange a meeting with Rose Elliston, but a drink now would not help design plans for his marriage nor for the proper ruination of the new Duke of Sandhurst, Rose’s brother-in-law.He planned to be at the gaming table, very sober, when Sandhurst lost, but it could end up being quite painful for Matthew because he didn’t consider himself a card sharp.How much would he have to lose to cause Sandhurst significant losses?And how much could he trust Alice DuPuis to facilitate his goals?Damn it all!Now wasn’t the time for doubts.He was gambling on Rose Elliston marrying him, just as he was gambling on caging Cyril Elliston.
“Tea, Mr.Hardy?”Sylvan carried the tray into his working room and propped it on a table.He wasn’t sure why she always asked when the tray and victuals were already on their way into the room.
“Thank you.Has Winters returned yet?I thought he was supposed to be back around eleven.”Matthew didn’t look up.Not out of discourtesy, but to prevent any eye contact that might be construed as attention.He liked to maintain a distance because he was very protective of his own self-interest.
“You know how he likes to talk, Mr.Hardy.”
“Well, if you see him, remind him I need him in my office when he returns.”
There was a commotion in the hallway then footfalls leading to his door.Expecting Winters, Matthew was heartily overjoyed to see Bobby Eggers, his half-brother.He stood there, twisting his woolen cap.“Good mornin’, Mr.Hardy.I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Bobby, come in.How are you?”Matthew hurried to him.Bobby stuck out a hand, dirtied by the everyday of his life, but Matthew embraced him and clapped his back.“What are you doing in Islington?Come.Sit here while we talk.The tea just arrived.Won’t you join me?”
“I don’t much care for tea, sir, but go ahead.”
“A tot of whisky, perhaps?”
“It’s still early.Maybe I will have some of those nibbles you have there.”He took a seat on a small round stool rather than the plush couches nearby.Bobby leaned forward, his fingers wiggling before he grabbed a few of the buttered rosemary rolls.Matthew’s favorites, as well.He did not allow his cooks to prepare and serve dainty food, at least for his trays.When he ate, he wanted something to fill the space between.
“All you need.”Matthew sat near the service and poured a cup, topping with milk and a teaspoon of sugar.He leaned back to look at his brother, whom he’d found only three years ago.Their father’s heredity was strong.His sons all had his dark countenance and hawkish features, but they were of varying heights.
