Page 29 of Once Upon a Devilish Duke

Dunstan’s face showed his shock. “Of course, Your Grace.”

“Keep your ears and eyes open for anything…unusual in the House. Particularly the Earl of Morland. Report only to me.”

“Your Grace. I do not do that anymore. You know that.”

“Yes, yes, but that is why you are perfect for this job.”

“I don’t think—”

“There is a mole in the House, and we need to find out who it is. If it’s you, tell me now.”

“What? No.”

“Then it must be someone else. Find out who.” He patted Dunstan on the shoulder and pretty much pushed him towards the door.

“I would think Lord Anthony more suited to this…favor.”

“Alas, he cannot attend the House of Lords as he does not have a title. You do. All that is required is to listen to the whispers and report to me.” With a gentle shove towards the door, Dunstan left the house. His paintings came after him, and once the man was in his carriage with his precious cargo, Edward nodded, and the butler closed the door.

Edward turned towards the stairs to find his sister on the first step, clutching her dog Sasha to her chest.

“Why are you so upset? I thought they were charming works of art. I think he will do a marvelous job of capturing Ashtonvale.”

“No doubt he will. That does not excuse the manner in which you concocted your little plan. Why do you wish to embarrass me? You know I do not like him.”

He shook his head as he stopped in front of her. He was still taller than she, even with her on the step above him. “I know that you do. You are just telling yourself you must punish him for his duplicity, but really, you understand he had to. It was his job, after all. So, really, there is no need not to like him.”

“Good lord, Edward. Why would you think I like him?”

“Oh, I do not know. Maybe it was because I saw how you looked at him last year.”

“Well, that was last year, before he put my friend in danger.”

“He did not put her in danger, puss. Deep down you know that. Do you think I would have him within a mile of this house if I believed that?”

“She could have died!”

“Yes. And who alerted us to where she was? To who had her? How he helped Tony rescue our beloved Lucinda?”

His sister’s eyes welled with tears. Lord, how he hated tears. He handed her his kerchief. “I suspect your dance card may not be completely full at the next ball, eh?” he said as he passed her and went up the stairs.

*

Marianne’s whole body was on fire. The heat, of which she could only describe as anger and guilt, was like a bonfire within her. She really disliked her brother right now. She wished he would not interfere in her life. She tried to stay out of his. Any interference she had made in the past had been because she loved Edward and Max. Was this some sort of revenge act upon her?

She could not fathom why her brother was pushing Dunstan back into her life. Her feelings towards that man were none of her brother’s business, and really, she wasn’t even sure herself what she felt about Dunstan. There had been an attraction to him in the beginning, but she had pushed it aside because she would never have taken Lucinda’s chance of marriage away from her.

After what he did, though, she was disinclined to see him in the same light as her brother. He had lied to Lucinda, to her. He had feigned an affection that was not there. If Lucinda had not already been in love with Anthony, her friend would have faced an avoidable heartache when he left. And he must have known about Stafford’s plan for her and never warned her family until it was nearly too late. No, there was no way she would be able to trust him. Edward might think himself very clever, but Marianne was made of sterner stuff than even her brother knew.

*

Rose had glimpsed the machinations of the Duke of Warrington, and she did not like it. No one was allowed to say anything to him, but he could do and say whatever he wanted to her friend Marianne and expect her to swallow it. It was not to be borne.

She had spent the afternoon talking to Marianne, who told her a confusing story. There was more to it, she said, but she could not tell it. It was not her place. In any case, Rose promised she would distract Lord Dunstan if and when she needed her to.

Rose grabbed the book off her dressing table and made her way to his study. Her excuse for returning the book, she hoped, was enough to gain entry. She was already dressed for the musicale that would take place after dinner, so she had plenty of time.

She knocked softly. His deep timbre bade her enter. Her nerves caused her hands to sweat a little. Rose took a breath and pushed open the door. He was sitting behind his desk and glanced up briefly.