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Esther, Duchess of Welliver.
“Oh, my!What a day this is.Which room is she in?”
“The sunroom, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.Raleigh, I will be back later.”Rose hurried to the front of the house, dodging servants she didn’t know.The sunroom looked out over the gardens and the New River was visible between the trees.After today, it was going to be used for storage until the gala was over.
She knew Esther.They weren’t fast friends, but they attended many of the same balls, soirees and musicals.Her girls were near the same age as Ava and Elaina, with one boy older and one maybe three years old.
“Esther, Your Grace.”Rose dipped in a curtsey.
“Rose, my dear.How are you?”Esther held out her hands and Rose took them, squeezing affectionately.
“I am well.It is so lovely to see you.Please have a seat.”The room was toasty warm, the sun doing its job.She loved this room but didn’t spend enough time enjoying the peacefulness.Perhaps once the gala was over.
“Oh, I must see this lovely view.”She walked to the wide windows.“At least there are no mansions scarring the scenery.”
“Matthew tells me there will be someday soon, as Londoners want to leave the congestion of the city.”
Sylvan, one of the servants who seemed to be available anytime there was need, walked in with the silver tray, tea and small foods.She set the tray on a side table, then moved the table between a trio of chairs which faced the windows.There was an L-shaped couch with thick cushions.Mrs.Callis had told her the first morning, during the house tour, that Matthew had designed it after a painting he’d seen of an Arabic domestic scene withmajlisseating.There were even puffy pillows that could be used for sitting on the floor.Only the pattern of the cushions and pillows was not the brightjalsastyle, but rather staid English patterns.
Rose would have to invite Matthew to this room some evening.Just the two of them.
They talked of simple things: the end of the season, the children.But Rose sensed some tension between them.She poured the tea and passed a cup to Esther.“Would you like a plate?”
“Yes, please.”There was an awkward moment while they took a few sandwiches and nibbled quietly.“Rose, I don’t want you to think I’m being forward or inconsiderate, but I had to ask...my husband insisted that I do it in person since we have some long-standing acquaintance.”
“Yes?”
“It’s about the gala.”
“Oh, we are so excited.Everyone is going to be dazzled by the evening, I promise.”
“Yes, its sounds very exciting.I am sure there has been some oversight—and again, forgive me for asking—but perhaps our invitation was lost.I wouldn’t want anyone to be embarrassed over a misunderstanding.”
“Um, I...I’m not sure.Forgive me, Esther, I didn’t review the invitation list.There must be a mistake.”
Esther smile in relief.“Thank you.I hated to ask, but I couldn’t think of any reason we wouldn’t be included.Everyone is talking about it.There is definitely an excitement building.It will be a triumph for you, Rose, all things considered.”
“Oh, I hope so.”The tension dissipated as they continued their small talk and ate a few biscuits.After a second cup, Rose asked if Esther wanted to walk in the garden, but she declined, having other calls to make and knowing the return trip to London would be an hour.It was no small thing for her to travel such a distance.
They walked together to the foyer and one of the footmen escorted Esther and her lady’s maid to the carriage.
Rose sighed as she watched the carriage pull away.
There were many things she did not know about her husband, but she did know for certain Matthew did not make such mistakes.There was no oversight.He’d done something purposeful, just as he had purposefully invited Sandhurst—to her horror.
She flitted about the house, checking and double-checking, counting and recounting.Everything had to be perfect.And she had to keep her mind on the gala because she did not want to imagine the nefarious or cruel reason Matthew might cut a duke and a duchess.The cut would appear to have come from her.Matthew didn’t have a reputation to comprise!
How ridiculous to think that a moneylender and a bastard—forgive me for the criticism, Matthew—would dare to humiliate such nobility?If anyone found out, they would be laughed into oblivion.What was the purpose of having such an extravagant gala then to act so petty toward a potential guest?Rose did not have time for anger.She barely had time to fix this colossal faux pas.
When the sun finally set, Rose went to the one room where she knew she should not be.His sanctum.She sat at one of the chairs nearest his desk.Without him in the room, she knew her point would have more impact.
An hour later, he arrived.His voice was clear in the hallway and his footsteps determined as he was directed to his office.
She moved to his desk chair, his sacred space, and folded her arms across her chest.She wouldn’t be surprised if she had steam coming from her ears.
“Rose,” he said, as he entered the room.“What is it?Has something happened?”
