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“Yes, alright, that’s enough of that, thank you. Keep the details to yourself.”
“My point is, what is all that if not love?”
Joshua regarded him steadily for another few moments.
“Well, if you truly feel for her, Benedict, you need to do the right thing. You know how dangerous this is, especially for Miss Wyre.”
“Idon’t know if she wants to marry me, though. Frankly, I’m afraid to ask. I’m not a man who encounters a lot of rejection.”
Joshua rolled his eyes. “It would have done you good to be less handsome and rich. A bit of rejection never hurt anyone. Don’t be a coward, go and tell her how you really feel.”
“Iwill, but… but not today. Not after all this. I think you scared her half to death, you know.”
Joshua sighed, shaking his head. “I’m not surprised. I’ll now go in to take tea with you two. I’m not sure I could look you both in the eye. Make sure Miss Wyre is taken home before the Dowager gets here. You know how sharp she is, she’ll know in an instant.”
Benedict nodded, turning towards the door.
“One last thing, Benedict.”
He turned back, raising an eyebrow. “Yes?”
Joshua grinned. “Congratulations. She’s lovely. Far too good for you, I might add.”
CHAPTER20
Rosaline was walking on clouds. She’d had wonderful dreams all night and woken with the happy thought that she would be able to see Benedict today.
Maybe they would do other interesting and thrilling activities, or maybe they would just spend time with each other. Either way, she could not wait.
She skipped downstairs, head full of dreams, wearing a simple white muslin embroidered with wildflowers. The sky was clear and bright, so there would be no rain and thunder to spoil their day.
She burst into the breakfast room and hesitated to see that her parents were already there. Baron and Baroness Wyre rarely took breakfast with their children. Speaking of which, none of the children were there, which was odd.
Her parents glanced at her and then at each other, as though they’d been expecting her.
“Good morning, Mama, Papa.” Rosaline said dubiously. “What’s the matter?”
The Baron cleared his throat. “Do you read the gossip columns, Rosaline?”
“No, of course not.”
“Perhaps you ought to read this one.” The Baron slid a small, folded pamphlet across the table towards her. One article covered one full side.
Feeling sick all of a sudden, Rosaline picked it up and began to read.
Rich Duke Duped By Scheming Minx!the headlines screamed.
Rosaline knew at once what it was about, or ratherwhoit was about. She desperately did not want to read any further, but also couldn’t allow herself to look away.
It has come to the attention of this writer that our beloved Duke of Ice, the Duke of Keswick himself, has become the latest gentleman to fall prey to the schemes of a crafty woman.
Much talk has been circulated about the Duke’s appearance in Society with one Miss Rosaline Wyre, daughter of the infamous Baron Wyre. No doubt my dear reader is already shuddering with disgust, as this family is well known for their debts, vulgar behavior, and grasping ways. They have, quite rightly, been shunned by Society.
Or so we thought.
To this writer’s horror, Miss Wyre and the Duke have been seen parading around, arm-in-arm, talking, laughing, dancing, promenading, and otherwise acting like a couple very deeply in love.
While we all love a good mismatch, there are boundaries.
