Page 89 of Once Upon a Devilish Duke

“I did not do it to hurt you, Marianne.”

“I know that now. Dunstan was able to explain it to me. I wish it had been you who had told me and all of this could have been avoided.”

“For that I am sorry,” the duke said.

Rose wondered how often in his life he had apologized sincerely. She smiled, something she had not done in days.

“What do you think of his plan?” Rose asked Marianne.

“A fake engagement does not forgive his seduction of you. He should marry you. Though I know he will never agree to it. Will you?”

Edward shook his head. “I would never do that to Rose. She deserves to be happy.”

“I do not think she would be unhappy, but I do not want to argue with you right now. I just want Rose to come back to Warrington House.”

Marianne thought she would be happy married to the duke, even though he would resent her for forcing him to marry her? No, there at least the duke was right.

“I am not sure I can. Everyone will look at me and see a ruined woman.”

Edward took her hand again. It felt warm and strong in hers. “You need to raise your chin and brave it. No one knows for sure, except for the rumors. Act like it is not true and some other rumor will take over within days.”

Rose looked at Marianne, who nodded. Could she trust them? To return meant she was giving in to the duke’s plan.

“And you think I should go through with this fake engagement?”

Marianne looked first to her brother, then to Rose. “It would help and shut down the gossip in and outside the house.”

Rose’s eyes widened, surprised that Marianne agreed with her brother. “What about the consequences when I break the engagement?”

“We will bear it.” She glanced quickly at her brother. “As we have before.”

“I don’t want you to have to bear it.”

“You will have to bear it too. Your brother will make your life uncomfortable. At best, he will not be pleased that Edward is to become his brother-in-law without his consent. It will certainly ruin any plans he may have had for you. Having the Duke of Warrington as your fiancé will certainly help keep your reputation in check to some extent. Will you agree to it?” Marianne asked.

Rose glanced at Edward. “Are you sure this is how you want to do this?”

“It solves a myriad of problems, but we will not announce it officially until we have a date for the hearing. To those in the house, it will be official. They will be none the wiser.”

“I still think this is madness, but if you both think this is the best way.”

“We do,” Marianne said, standing now beside her brother.

Rose didn’t quite know what to think or feel. Relief of one kind but a worry of another. She would have to pretend that she was going to marry the Duke of Warrington. Everyone would be in shock because it was well known he would never marry again, but what choice did she have?

“All right. I will do it.”

The duke grinned, and Marianne hugged her tight. You would think they were really getting engaged. It was not real; she needed to remember that.

“Let’s go home.” Marianne took her hand. “Elsie can pack your things. Jeremy will help pack up Edward’s room.” She then led her out of the room, Edward behind them.

*

Edward sat in the carriage. Had he just engaged himself to Rose? Of course, it was only for a limited time. Then why was his heart leaping with joy at taking her home? At telling everyone that she was his? Even though it was not real, they would have to play the part, and that could be more difficult than he anticipated. First and foremost, he must tell his mother. Lie to her for her own good or tell her the truth and not have her accept the engagement?

“What shall we tell Mother? The truth or the lie?” Marianne asked as if she had read his mind.

“The engagement will be real for all intents and purposes, so we neither need to lie as it will be the truth. She need not know there is a time limit to it,” Edward said. He looked at Rose. “Are you all right with that?”