The Duke Conspiracy (4 page)

Constance gazed at her sister fretfully until
Emmaline finally replied. “We and our mother have accompanied him
to Town, as he likes to have our company, but we do not involve
ourselves in his work.”

“No, of course not,” Rose replied smoothly as
she took her seat, leaving Emmaline to wonder if she had been
dismissed by this upstart.

Emmaline and Constance again shared a look of
confused chagrin before Emmaline offered a weak smile as Elizabeth
invited the two sisters to have a seat.

“Will you two be staying for a visit? Should
I ring for tea? This is not my usual at-home day so I am not
expecting too many callers.”

“How kind of you to offer,” Emmaline accepted
as Constance murmured her thanks.

Elizabeth tugged gently on the bell pull
while Emmaline launched into an explanation of their visit.

“We just had to stop in to compliment you on
your coup of dancing with the Duke of Wrentham. Was it terribly
exciting? Neither of us have yet had the privilege so we wanted to
hear it straight from you.”

Rose studiously avoided meeting Elizabeth's
eyes as she awaited her reply. She was well aware her friend hated
the thought of being the subject of gossip, but it was nearly
impossible to completely avoid in the rarified company of the
ton
.

There was a pause as the housekeeper wheeled
in the tea trolley. Rose was certain that Elizabeth was hoping that
the subject of her dance with the duke could now be avoided, but
her wish was not granted.

As soon as they were alone in the room once
more, while Elizabeth was pouring the tea, Constance prompted, “So,
how was your dance with the duke?”

“I hardly thought it was a subject to be
remarked upon. The duke had many partners on the dance floor last
night,” Elizabeth remarked, attempting to stem the sisters'
questions.

“'Tis true,” Emmaline acknowledged before
turning a quelling look upon Constance, who had blathered, “We
already spoke to Lady Anne Austen. She said his dance skills were
divine.”

Rose saw Elizabeth's lips twitch with her
amusement and was hard pressed not to laugh despite her discomfort
with the subject of the duke.

“I am sorry to disappoint you ladies. While I
found him to be a pleasant enough dance partner I would hardly
compare him to anything heavenly. In fact, I danced with Mr. Dylan
Mead last night as well and I will admit to you I thought he was a
little more skilled than His Grace.”

This resulted in twin looks of disbelief
directed at her. “But he is merely an aide in the House,” Emmaline
said with confusion coloring her tones.

“That may be true, but he is a very good
dancer,” Elizabeth shrugged with a sweet smile. “And he was
particularly amusing. His Grace was pleasant enough, but it struck
me that he might have had some weighty concerns on his mind last
night.”

“Ah yes,” the ladies looked relieved with
this explanation. “Since his father's death is not so long ago, it
is quite likely that as a new duke he has many things to concern
him.”

Constance nodded seriously. “He is no doubt
in need of a helpmate. The
on-dit
is that he is looking
about for an appropriate duchess to take over some of the
responsibilities upon his estate.”

Rose managed not to roll her eyes at this
remark but could barely stomach the look of sly pride upon
Emmaline's face as the lady commented, “Constance and I have been
learning from our mama how to look after the tenants on our estate
and run the household and such so that we will be fully prepared
when the time comes to take over such duties for our husbands.”

“No doubt you will make some lucky gentlemen
perfectly lovely wives,” Elizabeth replied politely. Rose could
detect the effort she made to infuse some sincerity into her
voice.

“Is Chadwick a very large estate?” Rose
inquired, which gained her a look of pitying disbelief from the
sisters. Properly interpreting the look as a result of an arrogant
assumption that everyone should be aware of their importance, Rose
diplomatically smoothed the moment with her next words. “I have
been out of the country for some time, so I am not as familiar with
some of these things. You must forgive my ignorance.”

This was exactly the right thing to say, Rose
could see as the two girls warmed visibly to her at her admission,
launching into a detailed description of Chadwick and how important
it was. Rose actually was quite aware of many details of most of
the land owners in the country, considering it an important piece
of information for the role she had assigned herself as a
diplomat's daughter. She schooled her features into what she hoped
was a look of polite interest and waited out the girls' long-winded
explanation.

“How lovely,” she finally said, enjoying the
flexibility of the expression, gracing them with a charming smile.
“Perhaps one day we could see it for ourselves as it would surely
be a treat.”

This utterance once again confounded the
girls as they were unsure if associating with Miss Smythe would be
to their social advantage or disadvantage. They were saved from
needing to respond by Elizabeth smoothly stepping in with a change
of subject.

“Never mind about our estates, we are in Town
now, let us enjoy it while we can. Which events shall you be
attending this evening?” Rose was again forced to admire her
friend's skills, as they had just been lamenting their longing for
their estates.

“We have been invited to the Duchess of
Westfield's dinner and then we are going to a musicale hosted by
the Duchess of Yorkleigh,” Emmaline answered with pride.

“We shall be at the musicale as well,”
Elizabeth replied as she rose to her feet, signaling the visit was
drawing to an end. “It was so kind of you to stop in; we shall look
forward to seeing you later this evening.”

The visiting ladies were clearly disappointed
not to have gotten any juicy details about the duke, but they
accepted their dismissal with good grace. Delicately placing their
tea cups back into their saucers, they too rose to their feet and
politely took their leave.

As the door closed behind the Chadwick
ladies, Elizabeth and Rose shared a quiet giggle. “Those two are
too much,” Rose declared firmly.

“But they are perfect specimens of the
ton
. Have you thought about how you are going to handle
references to the duke throughout the Season? If what they had to
say is true, or even if it is just wishful thinking on the part of
many, His Grace is obviously going to be a top subject for the
rumor mill. I am certain you do not wish to be remarked upon by
being seen to shun him.”

Rose appreciated her friend's concern but
loathed the need for it. “I had given the matter very little
thought.” She paused for a moment of reflection before continuing
in thoughtful tones. “You are, no doubt, quite correct that it will
be remarked upon if I am obvious, but I would like to think I am
capable of avoiding him without anyone noticing. I hardly think he
is likely to search me out, so it is highly probable that this is a
non-issue.”

“Perhaps,” Elizabeth's tone and dubious
expression showed that she was unconvinced, but she did not press
the issue. “Have you considered the possibility of ending the feud
between your two families? I am sure it is an uncomfortable
subject, but has it been discussed in your family?”

Rose knew her friend was trying to be helpful
so she made every effort to rein in the strong feelings that
threatened to overwhelm her response. “Their son is responsible for
the death of my brother. I do not see how any relationship between
our families is possible.”

“They lost a son too,” Elizabeth answered
quietly, “perhaps you could grieve together.”

This possibility had never occurred to Rose,
but her feelings were still too raw to consider it despite the
three years that had passed. “It is unlikely my parents would
entertain the suggestion. And considering the scene the last time
we were all in a room together, I have my doubts either the duchess
or her son would be amenable to the idea either. Never mind about
that, I know you are just being a good friend, but let us allow the
subject to drop for now. You are perfectly correct that my parents
and I shall have to better prepare ourselves to face them if we are
to go about amongst the
ton
this Season. Now tell me, what
do you plan to wear to the musicale? I have every intention of
sitting with you, so we must ensure our dresses do not clash.”

Elizabeth allowed the change of subject and
Rose was happy to feel a giggle coming on at her friend's look of
disbelief. “My dear Rose, surely you realize that as debutantes
nothing we are allowed to wear could ever clash with each other.
All whites and pastels go together rather mundanely in my
opinion.”

“True enough. But your lovely complexion
allows you to wear some colors that would make me look rather
sallow. My mother would never allow me to sit near you if I am
going to be made to look hideous by comparison.”

“Do not be a henwit, I beg of you. Or are you
fishing for compliments? You know full well that nothing you could
ever wear or be near could make you look hideous.”

Rose reached over and clasped her friend's
hand warmly. “That right there is why you are such a good friend.
You are the most generous girl I have ever met. You can be sure
neither of the Chadwick ladies would have said such a thing.”

Elizabeth offered a small shrug. “I merely
speak the truth.”

Rose glanced up as the large clock chimed the
hour. “Well, heavens, I have certainly overstayed any semblance of
politesse,
have I not? I apologize, but my only excuse is
that I was so enjoying your company.”

“Absolutely no apology needed. I am
sufficiently experienced as a hostess that I could have dismissed
you had I so wished.”

“That I cannot argue with as I witnessed your
skills in that regard just a few moments ago with the Chadwick
ladies.” The two girls shared a smile before Rose continued, “But I
really must be going. Mama will have apoplexy if I am not home in
what she considers sufficient time to rest and prepare before this
evening's entertainments.”

“Very well, you may leave then,” Elizabeth
laughed. “It is for the best as I expect you to arrive at the
Yorkleighs' with enough time to spare so that we can find seats
together before the performances begin.”

With that the two girls bade each other
adieu, Rose collected her maid, who had been waiting in the kitchen
all this time, and the two enjoyed the brisk walk home
together.

The Earl and Countess of Yorkleigh will be
well able to congratulate themselves on the success of their
evening,
Rose was musing to herself during a break in the
performances, while Elizabeth had taken herself off to check in
with her mother. Rose had elected to remain behind, as she was
enjoying her mother's good favor for once and had not been
commanded to similarly meet up during the intermission. Besides,
the girls had managed to find excellent seats and Rose wanted to
guard them lest someone else decided to change seats.

The milling guests were fascinating to watch.
Having honed her powers of observation in Vienna, Rose was
determined to keep up her skills. She found one could learn so much
about a person by watching their interactions. She was gazing
about, enjoying herself far more than she would have expected, when
she overheard a snippet of conversation that made her feel as
though the blood had frozen in her veins.

“Have you managed to secure Wrentham
yet?”

Rose was quite sure she had heard that rough
male voice before, but she could not place who it belonged to and
dared not crane around to see who it was. The voice did not evoke
anything good, and a shiver of dread went down her spine. The tone
made her well aware that this conversation was not mere
pleasantries and the mention of the duke had her ears on high
alert.

Rose's heart galloped in her chest. She was
flooded with a tide of conflicting emotions. The familiar but
unpleasant voice provoked fear and disgust in her breast while
mention of the duke swept her with a maelstrom of anger and heat.
She sat as still as a statue but made every effort to ensure no
trace of her thoughts were written upon her face. Rose hoped
fervently that Elizabeth would not return and interrupt before she
could figure out what they were discussing.

“Not as yet. This type of plan takes time to
bring to completion.”

“How long can it take to compromise the man?”
the first voice demanded harshly. “Your daughter is sufficiently
taking. She isn't daft, is she?”

“My daughter is a good girl,” the man excused
and explained, his voice whining. “She knows what is expected of
her and will have the thing tied up nicely very soon.”

“Well, see that she does. We need Wrentham
for his access to certain quarters, as well you know.”

The two men must have realized this was not
the appropriate venue for such a conversation as they broke off
anything further they might have said and moved away. Rose quickly
turned her head to watch them retreat. The first voice she had
finally placed and if it were at all possible her blood had
actually grown colder as she realized who had spoken, but the
second man, the one with the daughter, she was unfamiliar with. She
was profoundly relieved to see Elizabeth returning.

“Quickly, Elizabeth, as discreetly as
possible turn around and see if you can identify the short man
walking toward the back of the room with the rather wild-looking
hair, wearing the puce-colored waistcoat.”

“Do you mean Lord Austen?” Elizabeth
asked.

“If I knew who I meant I would not have
asked,” Rose answered with a waspish huff before apologizing,
“Sorry, my dear, my ignorance offends me at times.”