AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was a warm day, and balmy, with the promise of thunderstorms later. Rosaline felt a flash of gratitude towards her friend in suggesting the light, airy muslin dress. It was pretty, but not too formal. She wouldn’t feel overdressed.
The carriage stopped in front of a magnificent sprawling home. There were several footmen by the door, poised to open her door and help her out, and three figures stood ready to greet her.
One was Lord Benedict, and the elderly woman on his arm must be his grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Keswick. There was a tall, round-faced man, very handsome in a sweet sort of way, with an oval face, full lips, a hint of a stubble, and a wide smile. Rosaline did not recognize him.
Rosaline climbed out of the carriage, relieved that she didn’t trip on her hem or do anything else embarrassing.
Lord Benedict made the introductions. The second man was Mr. Joshua Eaton, and Rosaline wasn’t entirely sure who he was. A family friend, perhaps?
“Your Grace, it’s a pleasure.” Rosaline said, making a deep curtsey to the Dowager. She clucked to herself, smiling.
“Likewise. Joshua, escort me inside. Benedict, you may take Miss Wyre. Luncheon is all set out on the back terrace. It’s a fine, warm day, and we had better make the most of it.”
To Rosaline’s surprise, Benedict meekly obeyed, offering his arm.
“Your home is beautiful.” Rosaline said, keen to break the silence as they made their way through a cavernous hallway.
“It’s my grandmother’s house, really. She made the decisions on the décor and which rooms to use. It’s mine in name, hers in truth, and ours in reality.”
“I’m glad you like my house, Miss Wyre,” the duchess called back over her shoulder, and Rosaline flinched. She hadn’t been aware that the Dowager was listening.
Lord Benedict chuckled. “My dear grandmother has ears everywhere, Miss Wyre. There is very little she does not hear and does not know.”
It was no doubt supposed to be some sort of joke, but Rosaline couldn’t help swallowing, hard.Very little she does not hear and does not know.Was that a hint that Her Grace knew about their fake courtship?
Surely not. What grandmother would welcome a false lover of her grandson’s into her home? Why would she be so kind, so welcoming?
No, Rosaline was quite sure that Her Grace didn’t know about the plan they had cooked up.
She wasn’t sure whether that was more or less reassuring.
“Now, Miss Wyre, you’ve listened to me and my two grandsons talk incessantly through luncheon. Well,oneof my grandsons, at least! Let’s hear something about you.”
Rosaline had been quite happy to hear Her Grace and Mr. Eaton – who’d insisted that she call him Joshua – prattle on. She’d gathered enough to work out that Joshua was not a blood relation, but he was clearly devoted to Her Grace, and she called him her grandson. The relationship between Lord Benedict and Joshua was more like a pair of brothers.
It was strange seeing him in a brotherly relationship.
Rosaline swallowed a mouthful of very sweet dinner wine and launched into an edited tale of her family and their life. She touched as briefly as she could on their ignominious fall from grace, and judging by Her Grace’s lack of reaction, this was not news to her.
“Imust say,” Her Grace commented, once Rosaline’s tale was finished, “It is nice to see Benedict in a happy relationship. We’d quite given up hope of him ever courting. I compiled a list, you know, of eligible ladies.”
“Grandmother, please.” Lord Benedict muttered, stiffening a little. Rosaline only smiled. She could easily guess that she had not been on that illustrious list.
“Well, Benedict, the girl was bound to know sooner or later. I had rather it be sooner, don’t you? As I said, Miss Wyre, you and Benedict seem like a perfect match for each other.”
Rosaline cleared her throat. “You know… you know that I have no fortune, Your Grace?”
Beside her, she felt Lord Benedict stiffen, sucking in a breath. It was a bad question, a question that sounded far too much like a lady trying in earnest to impress her future in-laws.
The Dowager Duchess only smiled benevolently. “Of course I know, dear. It hardly matters, you know. Benedict has more than enough money. Money is really not very important to those who have it. At least, itought not to be. I can’t say much for these modern-day money-grabbers that one sees in Society. New money, all of them. No elegance, no breeding, and no sense of propriety. It’s a disgrace. In fact, just the other day…”
Rosaline settled back into her seat, reassured that Her Grace intended to monopolize the conversation with another lengthy rant.
She seemed like a kind lady, and certainly gone a long way to make Rosaline feel at home. Mr. Eaton – Joshua – was friendly too, cracking jokes and altogether making Rosaline feel entirely at ease. He made the whole party feel completely informal, and Rosaline took her cue from their manners.
Altogether, they were far better than she could ever have hoped for in her real in-laws.
But they won’t be your friends for much longer,Rosaline reminded herself.
