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“Yes.You’ve made the worst mistake possible, and I hope you have a good explanation.”
* * * * *
Matthew had had a brilliantday—the sort of day full of opportunity and promise and everything going his way!He whistled a tune as he hustled up the steps of Highwood, anxious to see his wife and the handiwork of all his efforts.
Raleigh took his hat and gloves.“Her Grace is in your office.”
“Not at the dinner table?”
When he opened the door to his office, Rose sat still and did not turn to look at him or grace him with a welcoming smile.
He wasn’t used to being so challenged in his own house.No one sat in his chair.“Rose,” he said, as he entered the room.“What is it?Has something happened?”
“Yes.You’ve made the worst mistake possible, and I hope you have a good explanation.”
“I’ve expressed my views about bees in bonnets.What is the matter?”he asked.
“How could you?How could you go to all the trouble of planning an extravagant ball, invite the king and yet snub one of the most important nobles in London?The Duchess of Welliver visited this afternoon.She was very embarrassed to tell me she and her husband were not invited to the gala.Why is that?”
“She didn’t tell you they weren’t invited.”Matthew strolled to his desk and stared down at her.He did not owe her an explanation about who was invited to his home.He had very good reasons.
“You’re right.She was too embarrassed and shocked to believe that.She attributed it to an oversight, which I let her believe.Heaven forbid that I confirm my commoner husband purposefully slighted them.But I know my husband and I know you did it with purpose.Maybe with malice.The question is why?”
He was out of place on this side of his desk.She knew that.“I think there are some things you don’t need to know.”
“How dare you?You were hoping you wouldn’t get caught, weren’t you?Some petty annoyance has caused you to make the most egregious error in etiquette that I’ve ever witnessed.A duke and a duchess!And who will they blame, Matthew?Not the man who is unfamiliar with proper decorum.Not the commoner who has never been to the most extravagant ball in London.Who will they blame?Me.They will assume I am the one to make such a decision.Talk about bees in bonnets.You have them buzzing around in your brain.”
“Oh, is that why you demanded Sandhurst be disinvited?”
“You cannot be serious?You foolish man.They are as different as chalk and cheese.”
“Lower your voice.”
“I will not.Does it mean nothing to you that my greatest worry is my standing in society?I have two daughters who must be properly raised and launched into society.Do you think one or two such blunders will leave us unscathed?”She stood to her feet.“We will end up rotting out here in Islington while life goes on in London without us.”
“What would you have me do?”
“Invite them.Send them a personal invitation tomorrow.Hand-deliver it for the most effect.And beg their forgiveness.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Pride is a wicked thing, Mr.Hardy.And you are full of it.”
“Pride?You don’t know the half of it.You never will.”
“I am your wife.If you can’t tell me this simple thing than why should I confess another secret to you?Ever?”
“You are assuming it’s simple.”
“Tell me, Matthew.Tell me why you have worked your body to the bone and built this empire only to stumble as you finish your course.Right at the moment you reach your glorious apex!Why?”
He lowered his head, angry that Rose chastised him for things she could not know or understand.She would not understand the idea of humiliation as a way to even the score.Was he bitter toward Welliver and what he had done to his mother?What it had meant for Matthew?Hell, yes.
“Is your plan to ruin others so you can build yourself up?My God, what a shallow, empty man you are.”
“Calm yourself, Rose.”Matthew breathed deep, trying to calm himself.“You cannot goad me into telling you what you will not understand.”
“You would have me see you in the worst possible light then?From this night forward, you want me to believe you are cruel?”
