Rosalind’s first instinct was to be anywhere but at home when the clock struck noon.
Arrogant, interfering man! Who does he think he is, giving his orders and meddling in my life when it is none of his business?
But common sense and practicality eventually prevailed. If she antagonised Leo, it might set him even more against her plan to keep Susie and could prompt him to disapprove of the friendship between Nell and Olivia. Twelve o’clock, therefore, found Rosalind sitting with Susie in the drawing room, awaiting Leo’s arrival, her insides twisting with nerves. She could not get used to his high position in society. Leo, a duke! She had forgotten that fact this morning, distracted by his kiss, until his alarming declaration that she would be his Duchess. Now, with the benefit of quiet contemplation, she found it hard to believe he was still willing to wed her despite her father’s humble beginnings, even though a proud voice inside her head insisted on reminding her that Leo seemed not only willing to wed her, but actually eager to do so.
You are seared into my memory and on to my soul.
That came very close to declaring his love. And, oh, what if it were true? His feelings for her...about her...were vital: she could not bear to be wed out of duty.
And yet...
Mama and Papa must have loved one another once, to take that drastic decision to elope. Love had not endured in their case: unable to survive their different expectations of life, it had disintegrated into indifference and even dislike in Rosalind’s recollection of her childhood.
And what of her responsibilities: to Jack, still only fourteen, to Nell, to Freddie and, now, to Susie? The voice of reason reminded her that, if she wed Leo, she would be in a much stronger position to help them all—unless, of course, Leo happened to disagree with her over how to help. The ultimate decision would be his. Not only because he was a duke, but also because of his sex.
And what if Leo grew to regret shackling himself to a wife of lowly birth? He had been quick to believe the worst of her last night. It was not only Susie who would risk being ostracised. She glanced fondly at the child, laboriously copying a sampler given to her by Lady Glenlochrie, her tongue emerging between her lips as she plied her needle. How would Leo look at Rosalind once her poisonous aunts became aware she was in London and would be attending many of the same balls and parties? The gossip would fly through the ton and people would view Rosalind with either pity or contempt.
Restless, she stood and crossed the room to the window, which overlooked the street. A carriage, with a painted crest upon its door and driven by a uniformed coachman, pulled up outside the house and Rosalind’s stomach performed a slow, sickly somersault. She was no nearer deciding what she would say. Or how she should behave. Was it time she capitulated, or would she live to regret not listening to that sixth sense of hers, the one that clamoured at her to run?
A hand crept into hers, jerking her from her thoughts.
‘Why are you sad?’ Susie looked up at Rosalind, her eyes huge with worry. ‘Have I got to go back home?’
Rosalind crouched down and hugged the girl to her, marvelling at how far she had progressed—in appearance, behaviour and speech—since that day they had found her cowering in the corner of that store, terrified and half-starving. ‘No, Susie. You do not have to go anywhere. Your home is here with us.’
And just let anyone try to take her away.
The sound of a throat being cleared attracted her attention. Keating, the butler, peered down his nose as Rosalind released Susie and regained her feet, keeping hold of her hand. Let him disapprove! Only then did she see Leo behind Keating. Would he be as judgemental as the butler? She did not care. She stiffened her spine and regarded the butler down her own nose.
‘Yes, Keating?’
The Duke of Cheriton. For you, miss.’ Disbelief coloured his every word.
‘Thank you, Keating. Please ask Lady Helena to join us here.’
She had warned Nell her presence would be required to sit with Rosalind when the Duke called, causing Nell some amusement at the idea of chaperoning her own chaperon. She had also been desperately curious as to the reason for Leo’s visit, but Rosalind had told her, with some truth, that it was in order to discuss Susie’s future. Nell could also occupy Susie whilst she and Leo talked.
Leo strolled into the room, filling it with his presence, but before Rosalind could even greet him, Susie tore her hand from Rosalind’s and hurtled across the room, her brown curls bouncing in a cloud around her head. ‘Mr Boyton! Mr Boyton!’
Rosalind froze but Leo caught Susie under the arms and swung her around.
‘Susie! What a surprise, meeting you here.’
‘I live here now. With Miss Allen and Mr Allen and Lady Glenlo-loch...and Lady Helena and Penny and—’
‘Yes, yes, poppet. I believe I understand the gist of it.’ His silver-grey gaze sought Rosalind’s, his smile sending a warm glow right through her. ‘You live with lots and lots of people. And are they kind to you?’
He plopped her on to the floor, where she bobbed up and down, keen to keep his attention.
‘Yes! And I eat a lot and no one says that is enough and no one steals it from my plate and—’
‘And I think it is time to calm down, Susie.’ Rosalind ruffled the little girl’s curls. ‘Lady Helena is coming to sit with you whilst I talk to the Duke...er, Mr Boyton.’ Susie stared up at Rosalind. ‘And do you remember what Lady Glenlochrie told you about speaking more slowly so you can hold a proper conversation with adults?’
Susie nodded.
‘Good girl.’
‘She has improved beyond all recognition,’ Leo murmured as Nell entered the room, distracting Susie. ‘You have worked very hard with her.’
He and Nell exchanged greetings, then Nell took Susie to sit by the window whilst Rosalind and Leo crossed to sit on the sofa where they could talk without interruption.
‘It did not take much effort on my part,’ Rosalind said. ‘She is eager to please and receptive to lessons in good manners, although she is, as you have seen, a little over-exuberant at times.’
Tension once more held her in its grip. If Leo repeated his belief Susie should go to the orphan asylum, would she, Rosalind, really be able to withstand the decree of a duke? His expression gave nothing away. Which man was he today? Leo, the gentle, teasing man she had fallen in love with, or was he the powerful Duke of Cheriton, accustomed to having his every whim obeyed?
‘I have been thinking over our earlier conversation,’ Leo said. Rosalind held her breath. ‘Now I am reacquainted with Susie, I understand your eagerness to help her but, before we make the final decision, I should like to take you to Westfield, so you may see the place for yourself. You will see that the children there are happy and well cared for.’
‘I do not need to see the place. Any child, surely, must be happier raised in a home, and with a family, than in an institution, no matter how well run.’
‘But you do not consider the happiness of a child raised in a world that does not forgive illegitimacy?’
‘I shall protect her. She will be happy.’
Leo shook his head even as one corner of his mouth quirked up.
‘You are an obstinate woman, Rosalind. I have not said no.’
‘But it is not for you to grant permission, Your Grace. The decision is, surely, mine?’
Far from being angry at her opposition, his eyes danced with delight. He reached for her hand and enfolded her fingers in his. ‘It will be your decision, Rosalind. I simply wish you to be acquainted with all the facts before you make it.’
He then remained silent, watching Nell and Susie sitting together at the other end of the room, his expression giving away none of his thoughts. Rosalind took the opportunity to study his profile. There was an ageless strength in his features that projected power and nobility, together with an unquestioning acceptance of his birthright: his influence in society and his place in the world. It was that innate assurance that had attracted her to him at first meeting, but his boldness that morning in stealing a kiss from under the eyes of her maid had shaken her. She had enjoyed his kiss, but his sheer audacity in manipulating the scene to his advantage—that spoke of a man accustomed to getting exactly what he wanted.
Did he even know what it was to be filled with doubt and fear and insecurity?
He was the Duke of Cheriton.
He was a stranger.
But...she remembered Leo Boyton, and their time together. That man, surely, was still somewhere inside the Duke. If she were to agree to wed him she must ensure she could find Leo Boyton again—that he had not been created for the sole purpose of seducing her.
After a time that seemed like an eternity, Leo’s chest rose as he inhaled. He released his breath with a sigh.
‘Susie is not the only matter I have considered since we met in the park. Our meeting last night was a shock for both of us. May we agree to view last night’s exchanges as words uttered in the heat of the moment, to be forgiven and forgotten?’
His silvery eyes met hers and she felt again that tug of connection, deep down inside, as their gazes fused.
‘Yes.’ Her throat was dry and she wished she’d had the foresight to ask Keating to send in refreshments. ‘I agree.’
He smiled. ‘We belong together, sweetheart. This morning’s encounter only served to strengthen my conviction, but I cannot deny your reluctance.’
He circled her palm lazily with his thumb. Rosalind forced herself to concentrate on his words and away from the sparks of desire shooting up her arm and heating her body, tightening her skin.
‘Last night and again this morning you said, “I cannot”. You did not say no. You did not say “I will not”. I cannot. Why can you not marry me, Rosalind? I know you are not indifferent to me. Tell me what you are afraid of and I will banish your fears.’
So full of self-confidence: an intrinsic part of him, but the trait that also made it hard to confide in him.
Uncertainty held her tongue.
‘Well, I shall not press you for your answer.’ Leo stood, towering over her. ‘You have only just arrived in town and everything must feel strange. I will give you time to think over what I have said. You need time to adjust and I hope you will come to see that I only have your best interests at heart. I shall see you soon.’
He bowed to Rosalind and again to Nell, and left the room, leaving Rosalind’s head spinning with indecision. She sent Nell and Susie upstairs to visit Lady Glenlochrie and used the quiet to try and decide whether her feelings for Leo were enough to overcome her fear of such an unequal marriage and her distaste for the society he represented. He showed no hesitation over their different places in society, so why did she waver? It did not follow that, because one such marriage had been unhappy, every such union would suffer. Had she allowed her anger with her maternal relatives and, more recently, Sir Peter Tadlow and his cronies to sour her opinion of all aristocrats? After all, Step-Papa had been kindness itself to her and Freddie, even after their mother died. Nell and Jack’s mother had accepted them and even Leo’s family did not appear to think any the worse of her.
Perhaps her long-held prejudices were wrong.
* * *
Half an hour later, the door opened and Freddie limped into the room with Hector at his heels. Her brother’s cheeks were flushed above a huge grin. When had she last seen him so excited? She sent him a quizzical look.
‘Ros! You will never guess what has happened.’
His delight was infectious and Rosalind put aside her troubles. ‘No, I dare say I never shall. Will you tell me?’
‘The Duke asked to see me after he left you. Ros...he needs a secretary and he offered me the position!’ He struck a pose. ‘I am now employed by the Duke of Cheriton. Oh, I still cannot get used to calling him that. Is it not strange we were befriended by such a high-born aristocrat and yet we had no idea of it?’
Rosalind stared. ‘Employed? By the Duke? Is this a jest?’ She pressed her hands to her stomach in a futile attempt to quell the turmoil within. ‘You have no need to work, Freddie. Step-Papa left us both enough income to live comfortably.’
‘Stuff living comfortably! Just think. I shall be privy to all manner of information. Cheriton sits in the Lords, you know. And he said that if I am interested in politics and show an aptitude, I could become a Member of Parliament. What do you think of that, Ros? Your brother, a Mem—Ros? What is it? You’ve gone very pale.’
Hot tears scalded behind her eyes, but Rosalind forced a smile, shaking her head.
‘I thought you would be pleased for me, Ros.’ Freddie sat beside her, and clasped her hand in both of his. ‘You know how bored I have been. I know we have enough income from the trusts Step-Papa set up, but it is not about the money. I will finally have some purpose to my life.’
What about me?
She longed to scream the words, to use the air that was trapped in her burning lungs to power her protest into the atmosphere, but she swallowed both words and emotion down. She could not dampen Freddie’s joy by revealing the panic that enveloped her, banishing any hope for the future from her heart. Her future which—whatever happened to Nell and Jack—had always included Freddie.
You are being a hypocrite. Not ten minutes since you were contemplating marrying Leo. What of Freddie then?
Freddie would have come with me. I would never have left him.
But he will be with you now, if you do marry Leo.
And if I do not? What will happen then?
Her options had shrunk alarmingly with this news.
‘Of course I am pleased for you,’ she said. ‘It was something of a shock.’ A ray of hope flickered. ‘Is your employment to be temporary, whilst we are in London?’
‘I should say not! It is a permanent post, Ros. And I am to live at Beauchamp House whilst the Duke is in town and at his estate in Devonshire when he goes to the country.’
He has stolen my brother from me.
Anger stirred as Rosalind’s scurrying thoughts slowed and steadied. How dare Leo come here and break her family apart? Was this his way of ensuring she accepted his offer, by enticing Freddie away with an offer he could not refuse? He knew how close she and Freddie were. Freddie needed her. No one could care for him like she did. She had been as a mother to him, not a sister. But as quickly as that anger flared, it fizzled out again. She loved Freddie. She wanted him to be happy. And he was. She must accept what had happened, but that did not mean she had to be happy about the way it had happened. Why, Leo had not even had the courtesy to mention his plan to her, let alone discuss it.
Did she not have a right to know? Was this what she might expect if she accepted his offer of marriage? A future of arrogant, high-handed decisions made without reference to or consultation with anyone? With her?
She smiled at her brother. Her questions and resentment were for Leo, not him.
‘It sounds very exciting, Freddie. When do you start?’
‘Immediately. I’m off to tell Nell and Lady G, and then I shall pack my valise. Cheriton is sending his carriage for me at two.’