Page 53 of The Perfect Rose

He smiled down at her. “You are my business, currently.” He chuckled. “Don’t be alarmed, Lady Rose. I have no nefarious intentions. But I do have a part to play today, and it would be most helpful if you played along.” He winked at her as they ascended the stone steps that led to a set of heavy wooden doors at the back of the house.

A part to play . . .

Rose trusted him. He was Frederick’s closest friend, so Rose would play along. Whatever his goal was, she would help him achieve it. “Do you have any suggestions? I don’t know quite what is expected of me.”

“I know you well enough that you know precisely what is expected of you. I only ask that you rise to those expectations, especially in the presence of your mother.”

They walked through the corridor to the parlor where Rose’s mother and the dowager duchess sat with their needlework chatting on the settee.

Her mother looked up and straightened her posture even more than she had previously been situated. A catlike smile spread across her face. “Rose, my dear, how was the game of hide and seek?”

“It was . . . illuminating.” She smiled hesitantly up at the duke.

He was smiling broadly down back at her, mischief lurking just behind his smile. “It certainly was. Mr. Quentin Redford asked Miss Trenton for her hand in marriage, and she has accepted.” He never broke eye contact with Rose for the entirety of his answer.

She accepted the challenge. “Surely they will make each other very happy.” Rose finally turned and looked at her mother.

The countess set her embroidery down on her lap. “Oh my, I dare say I saw that match coming. I wish them both the best.”

“What was that?” Lady Gilfordshire leaned forward.

The duke answered in an overly loud voice, “Miss Trenton and Mr. Redford are engaged, mother.”

She nodded her head. “Wonderful, they will do well together.” She tilted her head and winked at Rose.

Why was everyone winking at her? What could they possibly mean by it? Play your part. Her mother looked at her with what seemed like, dare she think it . . . pride. It was like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle finally falling into place. She wasn’t sure why, but this charade was for her mother. And it was working wonders. If she needed to act the part of a woman intrigued by the duke, she could do that well enough. “Your Grace, I find myself fatigued. Would you care to sit with me?”

The duke instantly adopted a worried facade, he leaned forward and took her by the elbow, leading her to a settee. “Of course I’ll sit with you. But first, allow me to fetch you a drink.” He bowed over her hand after she was situated next to her mother. “I will return directly.”

Upon his exit from the room, Rose’s mother leaned close to her. “It is about time you catch his attention. Now, it is imperative that you not accept any marriage alliance until the end of the evening tonight. We must make the best of our time in case the duke decides to propose. Am I understood?”

“Truly? You believe I have a chance?” Rose added a little bit of wistfulness to her whisper.

Her mother continued whispering, but it wasn’t nearly as quiet as it should have been. “Certainly. You come from a superior lineage, Rose. He could not help but entertain thoughts of your attachment.”

Rose’s ears burned from sheer embarrassment. How did she ever live with such a level of inane superior distinction? She raised her gaze to the dowager, and the woman pursed her lips together. No doubt she’d heard the entire whispered conversation. How much of the house party had the elderly woman spent overhearing ridiculing things from her mother? Now that Rose thought about it, she seemed to almost enjoy the information gathering. In fact, she was the perfect spy.

Chapter Thirty-six

Miriam clutched Frederick’s arm on the way back to the house. Her smile spread wide on her face as she dragged him along. “Isn’t Samuel wonderful? He will surely convince Lady Gardner to give Rose time for making a decision.”

“I fear the repercussions of his actions may bring you pain, Miriam. What if people begin to gossip about the two of them?”

“He is a duke, Frederick. No one would dare naysay him. The consequences could be drastic. And soon, I will be a duchess. How odd does that sound?” She shivered. “Do you think I can live up to that standard?”

Frederick pulled their progress to a halt. He spun Miriam to face him and took her by the shoulders. “I have complete faith in you, Miriam. And Samuel does too. You will set a standard for society to follow and if more of society becomes like you, the world will be a better place.”

She took a deep breath. “Besides, if anything goes wrong, I plan on appealing to my sister-in-law for assistance. With her talents and strength, she will be a support I will need.”

Frederick looked heavenward. “You recall that I have not actually asked her to marry me yet, right?”

“But you will.” Miriam turned to continue walking. “And we have some things to prepare before the ball. We’d best get back.”

“Will you show me whatever it is that you believe will stop Lord Hanby from being able to marry her?” It would be so much easier for Frederick to believe that his sister would achieve her part of the plan if he only knew what it was.

She didn’t slow her step. “No, and I will not unless it becomes necessary. Samuel would not appreciate me letting you see it.”

“It? So, it is a thing? Lord Hanby has enough things, and to spare. And what could you possibly have that Samuel wouldn’t want me to see?” And why wouldn’t she just tell him it had something to do with that book he’d seen her maid pick up?