“Ah.” Her eyes stung a bit as that disappointment deepened.
“But he lied. To his own mother, that boy lied.”
Rose blinked rapidly, looking up again. “What?”
The duchess pushed Rose’s cup of lemonade closer. “Drink, my dear. Look civil and friendly. We are being watched.”
Rose’s fingers shook as they closed around the cup, and she forced a smile on her face.
“Oh, my, not even I believe that smile. You must try harder, or you’ll be in for a scolding from Lady Dorothea for being rude to me.”
The cup stopped. “You must know my mother quite well.”
“For years.”
Rose finally sipped. “But you think Thomas lied to you?”
“I know he did. He and Robert both. They were placating me while plotting with their father over this business drama they’ve stirred up, completely forgetting that Philip tells me everything.”
“Well, most Society couples are not that open with each other.”
She nodded. “But when you kiss under the mistletoe at twelve, write endless letters when you are in school, court ruin at sixteen, and marry at seventeen, there are no secrets. To this day, some of the most improper thoughts about my husband spring up when I least expect them. We have been blessed in that way.” The duchess opened her fan, wafted it in front of her face a few times, then reached for Rose’s hand. “Which brings us to the point of this little tête-à-tête, which I have dragged out solely for the purpose of irritating my lying son and your domineering mother.”
Rose could not stifle a snorted giggle, and she put her hand over her mouth to hide it.
The duchess pointed at her with her fan. “Nowthatis a genuine smile. And a lovely one.” Her other hand closed tighter on Rose’s. “You are in love with my son. Please do not deny it. It’s in your eyes every time you look at him. In fact, even as we sit here I see how hard you are fighting to avoid looking at him.”
Rose hesitated, then gave a single nod.
“Yet you are insisting on retiring to the Yorkshire countryside.”
Another nod.
“Because of what Bentley did to you.”
Rose barely heard her own voice. “Yes.”
“Even though Thomas would not care.”
Rose shook her head. “I cannot destroy his future.”
“Oh, my dear Rose. Thomas of all people knows that what you desire most to happen can pale and fade to dust in the face of what really does happen. Life is not a plan, despite what we arrogant humans would like to think. It is an experience. We can prepare, not control. We endure the bad but if we ignore the good, we do so at our own peril.”
Rose stared at the duchess, her eyes wide, as Her Grace went on. “I always thought Thomas would be the one to have a traditional Society marriage. He’s been my most practical child of duty and honor since the day he was born. But you see my boy in blue?”
“Robert.”
“For all his charm and bluster, Robert has not accepted those simple facts about life. He cannot have the woman he wants so he is currently attempting to court the daughter of a duke. He does not love her. He barely likes her. But he insists that while she’s not what he wants, she is definitely what he needs. I cannot dissuade him from what he refers to as his plan of practicality. He’s made up his mind. I predict three children in the first five years for them, followed by separate houses and a series of mistresses who will make him equally as unhappy. My most emotionally volatile child has become the most traditional.”
Rose stiffened, glancing only once at Robert. “I had no idea.”
“He has kept it very quiet. In the meantime, my son with the explosive temper and ragged acceptance of life’s vagaries cannot put two words together when your name comes up. His heart is engaged, and despite what I said to him, I have realized that you must at least consider talking to him further. Let him play a part in deciding your mutual futures.”
“But he wrote me—”
The duchess gave a dismissive wave of her fan. “Oh, I know all about that silly letter. When you sent him packing, it screwed down the lid on that pot of porridge to the boiling point. That, and finding out about Bentley. And me overstepping with the wrong advice. He decided that withdrawing would protect you. He was a fool.” She paused. “And I’m sorry if he hurt you.”
Rose let go with a long sigh. “I will admit, it did hurt. But I am the one who told him to go away.”
