Page 14 of Once Upon a Devilish Duke

Marianne smiled. “Nothing. I just wanted to warn you against bringing up Max. Who knows how he will react. If we all want to have a peaceful season, it is best to keep away from that conversation. I know you and Max have some sort of plan; just…keep it to yourself for now. Please.”

“I would never want to upset you. However, I had promised to give a package to him from Max. I will not give it to him until the season is over. I promise that you and the dowager will not be brought into it.”

Her friend regarded her with a slight frown. “Do you really think you can succeed where we have not?”

“I never promised her anything, I assure you. Only that I would give it to him.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “He needs to be reminded that being a father is not a choice. He has a duty to her.”

“I hope you succeed, but really, we have all had this very argument with him. I just don’t want you and Max to be let down.”

“I have prepared myself. Do not worry.”

“I worry for Max. You have not seen him when he is angry.”

“I promise it will not interfere with our plans for the season. Let us both fall in love this year and we can leave our troublesome brothers to their own fates.”

“Only, I love my brother. I know he is hurting, that he is overworked, and I wish I could help him.”

Rose took her hand. “You are too kind, Marianne, and forgiving.”

She smiled sadly. “I suppose I am, but I do not know any other way.”

“Do not ever change, not for anyone.”

Marianne laughed. “I do not think I could even if I wanted to. Maybe that is why no one wants to marry me. I am too…insipid.”

Rose’s eyes widened in shock. “That is absolutely not true. You would be a wonderful wife.”

Marianne’s features turned sad. “I’m afraid that others do not see me like you do. Another few seasons and I will be firmly on the shelf, and it will be just me and Sasha.”

“I have never heard you speak in this way. I wish I knew who made you feel this way. I would…stamp on his foot.”

“Such violence, Rose! I appreciate the sentiment in any case.” Marianne hugged Rose, but her eyes still held that sadness, even though she had tried to make light of it.

Rose felt awful for her friend. No one should feel this way about themselves.

On her way to bed, Rose took her time walking down the long gallery, looking up at all the Ashton ancestors. Brookhaven had such similar portraits, with the same stances, the same clothes, the same weary looks in their eyes, as if they were tired of hanging on the wall watching others live in their place.

“A sorry looking lot, are they not?”

She jumped at the sound of his voice. “Oh, Your Grace.” She turned towards him. “Not as sorry looking as the ones at Brookhaven.”

“Well, they must be a very dreary bunch then.”

“Positively depressing.”

He rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger as he studied the portraits before him. “You win.”

She laughed. “I would hardly call it winning. Which one is your father?”

“Oh, he is farther down,” he said, and with his arms behind his back, he strode down the gallery.

Rose followed.

“This distinguished gentleman is William, the 4th Duke of Warrington.”

She could see the family resemblance to Edward. The straight English nose, the chin, and especially around the eyes. “He looks so young.”

“He died before his time, I’m afraid.”