Page 97 of Once Upon a Devilish Duke

“Would it be unusual for such a clause to be put into a will in the first place? Wouldn’t he have expected that his heir would take care of his sister? That is all he really wants to do. Lord Brookhaven does not want to shirk his responsibilities to his sister and simply wants what is best for her.”

“Mostly, allowances such as these are inheritances from a grandparent or some other relative to be gained on their majority. This was to be put in place not dependent on age. That is the only thing that sets it apart, but seeing as the lady is now past that point anyway, it does not signify.”

Cecil’s barrister smiled. “But it is unusual?”

“Yes, I suppose so.” Mr. Wittiker frowned.

“Any further questions for Mr. Wittiker?” the judge asked, and both barristers shook their heads.

“Thank you for your time,” the judge said. “You may go about your day.”

Wittiker nodded and left the box, sending a small smile to Rose as he passed.

Barlow asked to approach the bench and then announced that the Duke of Warrington and Lady Rose had announced their engagement in the paper this morning.

There was an audible gasp from the crowd, though surely some of them would have read it for themselves this morning.

Cecil, on hearing this, jumped out of his chair. “How dare you!” he screamed. “I was not asked for permission. She is my sister. This is all a ploy, Your Honor. She has played them all for fools.”

“I must say that it is unusual timing, Your Grace.”

“I had made up my mind weeks ago before this became an issue. I wanted to assure Lord Brookhaven that there is no need for all this. I will take care of her now.”

“If you had mentioned it the first day, we could have avoided all this,” the judge said.

Edward then had to go to the witness box. “Lord Brookhaven would have insisted anyway. He is nothing if not determined to ruin his sister’s reputation.”

“He tried to pay me off. Did you know that, Rose?”

“I admit I did. I thought that if I paid his IOUs and some of his debts, he would be happy to have her off his hands. When he did not take the money, I knew it was for more nefarious reasons that he took his sister to court. Your Honor, Lord Brookhaven’s only objective to these legal shenanigans was to discredit and dishonor his sister in the eyes of the ton. He sought revenge in the most public way. He has no love for his sister or her welfare.”

He turned to Cecil, who narrowed his eyes. “The former Lord Brookhaven and my father were friends. Rose and I have known each other from children. She is a particular friend of my sister, and once reunited we knew we were meant to be together. It is what her father would have wanted.”

“Oh, what a pretty speech, Your Grace. However, everyone knows you will not wed again. It is all a ruse.”

The judge banged his gavel three times before the crowd quietened. “Lord Brookhaven. It appears that there is no need to take control of your sister’s finances. Her dowry will be paid to Warrington upon their marriage and her allowance will cease. You have to be satisfied with that. As she is past her majority, she does not need your approval to marry, but I am sure she would like your blessing.”

“She can go to hell,” he said and stormed out of the room.

Rose let out the breath she had been holding and looked around the room. They had all gone quiet.

“This court is adjourned,” said the judge. “I wish you both much happiness.”

Edward left the box, shook hands with Barlow, and then came straight over to Rose. She looked up at him and wanted to cry. Her brother was right. It was a ruse. And when the duke kissed her hand and whispered for her to smile, she obeyed.

Chapter Twenty-Two

There should have been celebrations. They had won over her brother. She was free of him, at least for now. However, her heart felt heavy, and her stomach churned with guilt. She went into Edward’s office to tell him that she had decided to go back to Ashtonvale rather than see the season out.

“There was no way he would have won. The engagement just ended it quicker,” Edward said, striding straight up to her. “Why are you not happy?” He handed her a small glass of claret.

She paced in front of the fire, stopping briefly by the window to take in the now familiar view before pacing again. “Because we could have won without lying to everyone. If we had stayed silent for one more day, it would have just been between the family, but now everyone in London knows.”

He smiled down at her, which she thought was quite condescending, and she turned away from him.

“I think you are missing the point.”

“Am I?”