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“I can’t discuss it right now.”
“There is nothing to discuss.It’s in the past.It happened when I was a young, foolish man and I willfully wanted it to happen.I suspect you want me to feel bad or to grovel my repentance, but I cannot do that.”
“But why?Why would you shame such a woman?”
“I’ve groveled from the time I understood what it was to plead for something I wanted, whether it was an extra helping of food or for a rich man to agree to an appointment with me so I could negotiate for something he needed and that I could provide.Around the time I decided I was done groveling, I accepted that the ducal title had not only been stolen from me, but from all my heirs.
“And there was Esther Pennington, newly betrothed to my half-brother.She was the only person who could correct the wrong done to me, by giving me a son and continuing my lineage as it should have been.The title was denied me by law; I could correct it only one way.Even if it meant dishonoring the one woman who could possibly make it right.Of course, there was every possibility she would refuse to marry my brother, or have a miscarriage, or have a girl.But there it was: a single moment in time where I might return the title to my line of the family.
“That didn’t erase the decades of anger.There were lingering, petty jealousies.There were nights when I still lay my head to a pillow and dreamt and plotted how I could get the title.How I could be the duke.But I eventually found something better: money.I would never have bedded Esther just to shame her.She was the unfortunate vessel through which I might make the impossible possible.Not that anyone would ever understand my troubling motivations.”
Rose sniffed and glanced at him, her eyes red and her expression full of sorrowful understanding.“It seems so cruel, Matthew.I cannot bear to think of you as that man.”
“Itwascruel.I have no intention of embarrassing the duchess over the matter.It is a secret long buried.So, unless she says something, I will never bother her or William about it.”
“And because of that you didn’t want them at the gala?”
“I haven’t seen Esther since I departed her father’s estate, years ago.She doesn’t know I am Welliver’s illegitimate son.No one does, not even Jack Sparling.Well, not no one—my half-brothers do.As for the gala, it seemed a practical matter not to invite them.For that reason and others.I had not considered the full ramifications for them or you.”
There was a tap on the door.Matthew bade entrance.
Raleigh came first, holding Elaina’s hand.“I thought you would like to see how lovely Elaina looks as a princess.”
Rose sat up.Matthew stood beside her.Around Elaina’s neck was the priceless strand of Isis Diamonds.“Aren’t they pretty, Mama?”
Rose hurried to Elaina and knelt in front of her, taking her hands.“Indeed, they are, but shouldn’t you have asked Mama before you took them from her room?”
“I tried, but you were sleeping, and Ava and I wanted to play king and queen.”
“Next time you will ask.If not me, then Raleigh or Tilly or Eunice.You don’t take without permission.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“And I want you to apologize to Mr.Raleigh and Eunice because I thought they were lost, and they spent a good bit of time looking for them.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“And I want you to apologize to Tilly.How many times today did you try to hide the necklace from her so you could play longer?”
“I don’t know.”
“Now, go upstairs.I’m sure Tilly is ready to put you both to bed.”
“Thank you, Raleigh,” Matthew said before they departed.He waited until Rose was seated across from him before he sat down.“A crisis averted.”
“Yes.One of them.”She breathed a heavy sigh of relief and dabbed at her eyes one last time before setting the linen aside.He poured them each another glass of wine.
“I do insist Welliver provide for my brothers.I plan to talk to him tomorrow,” he said, handing over the glass.
“Is that such a good idea?You could continue caring for them.You’ve given them responsibilities and provided labor that allows them to earn respect and sufficient earnings.”
“Being the dukeandshould be the dukeare two different things.Welliver bears responsibility, Rose.”
“You are willing to give up your secrets?”
“For the right cause.Do not worry yourself overmuch.It is highly unlikely Welliver will share the news with anyone else.”
“Why didn’t you share those secrets with me before I found out through a friend’s gossip or because you are forced into a corner?”Ever open, Rose’s expression tore at him.He knew she wasn’t weak, not really.But she could lead him where she wanted to go with just the slightest hint of vulnerability.
