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Chapter Two
Rose Elliston, theDuchess of Sandhurst, sat quietly despite the heaving, pulsing life in the lower floors.It came through the floorboards and troubled her soul.To look at her, one might think she was at St.George’s in solemn prayer rather than a gaming hell and brothel where she might find deliverance.
She’d always thought red and gold were tasteful colors for a drawing room.Here, they were overdone and exceedingly luxurious.Who was she really being critical of?Alice DuPuis for making do with what life handed her?Or herself, for searching out answers that may not exist?
“Is he here?”she asked as the madame walked into the ornamental room.Rose was on her feet, trying to read the expression on Alice’s face.She always had a pleasant demeanor, if a bit mysterious.Tonight, she was dressed in a gown that would have befitted any woman in theton.
“He will be shortly,” Alice said.
“Tell me about him.Is he suitable in all ways?”
“He is suitable in all ways but one.Maybe the most important thing.”
Rose put her hands to her face, covering the anxiety that threatened to erupt.Really, he could have one leg and three hairs on his head, and she would accept him—for her need was great.And she was perfectly willing to lie to herself about what an acceptable man was.“What is the one thing?”
“He has asked to meet with you to explain all.He is perfectly accepting of the possibility you will reject him.But not out of hand.He insists on an audience before you decide.”Madame DuPuis appeared earnest, her expression neither distasteful nor pitying.
“Is he hideous?”She promised herself that his appearance was unimportant, but now faced with the true possibilities that he might have the exterior of an ogre, it suddenly mattered.If she was to really judge a man by his appearance, then the new Duke of Sandhurst could be considered an angel—but with all the inner qualities of the devil.Even an ogre would outshine Sandhurst.
What had happened to Cyril in the army?What had happened to make him such a fiend?Worse, he had the ability to charm before he turned on a person.
The woman who ran the gaming hell...A gaming hell!A gaming hell.Rose was feeling breathless now that her decision was nearing fruition.
Alice smiled at her concern.“No, I would not call him hideous.Shall I see the man in, or would you prefer to take a seat and have a drink first?”
Rose sat in a flurry of scrunching and swishing as she batted her skirts away.“Do you have more of that port I had the other day?”
“Of course.It is delicious, is it not?”Madame DuPuis poured the reddish-gold liquid into a small crystal glass and handed it to her client.“Drink slowly.You’ve made your decision.There is no reason to panic now.You’ve only to say no and I find another man for you.”
“Yes.Yes, you are right.”But Rose did not have time.She was desperately close to running out of time.She sipped again, holding on to the heat as a burn traveled down her throat.“Whew!”Fire came out in a quick exhale.“He knows I want the marriage to occur immediately?”
“He seems like a man who has prepared for many contingencies.”
“Do I know him?What’s his name?”
“Matthew.”
