“I have my reasons. They will be made clear soon enough. Just be sure you don’t let her out. She’s very stubborn.”
Rose giggled. “I know. Because she won’t marry you.”
“Yet,” he stated firmly.
Robert knew most of his reasons and plans already, but he didn’t dare tell Rose any more. Alexandra would have the information out of her without the poor thing ever knowing it. The governess was so adept at addling his brain that he’d have to be careful around her himself.
“May I see her now?”
“First we should see your mother. She’ll be suspicious if we delay before we prance in with news that I proposed to you.”
“Yes. She said I was to tell her immediately.”
Fiona was damned certain of herself. “Then let’s not disappoint her.”
“May I tell Lex that I’m not to marry you?”
“Certainly. Tell her all about how happy you and Robert will be. After we tell your mother how happy you and I will be.”
Rose narrowed her eyes, suspicion entering her clear expression. “Are you certain you’re not tricking me?”
Going through life lacking the appreciation that he—and Alexandra—seemed to have for its absurdities must be damned dull. “I’m certain I’m not tricking you into marrying me, Rose.”
“Good. Because I really don’t want to, you know.”
“Yes, I had surmised that.”
They mutually agreed that Lucien should be the one to tell Fiona the news. He led the way to the upstairs sitting room she occupied when she wasn’t out gathering and spreading gossip, knocked, and opened the door without waiting for an answer.
“Fiona, Rose and I have news for you.”
“Yes, my dears?”
Her look of calm superiority irked him no end, and he couldn’t wait for the opportunity to wipe it permanently from her round face. “Rose and I have decided it would be to our mutual benefit to wed.”But not each other, he added silently, just for luck.
“Splendid! Oh, this is the most splendid news! Come give your mama a kiss, Rose.”
With a determined, nervous smile, Rose complied. She wasn’t very adept at skullduggery, Lucien noted. Thank God the plan needed to unfold quickly—she wouldn’t last long without blurting the whole bloody mess to Fiona.
“And you, Lucien, give me your hand.”
He stifled his expression of absolute disgust and offered her his hand.This is for Alexandra, he reminded himself. He could wink at the Medusa to save his goddess.
“I’m so happy,” Fiona chortled. “I shall tell absolutely everyone!”
“I have a better idea,” he said. He’d known that threat was coming; she wanted to be certain he couldn’t back out. Obviously she had no idea how little he cared about public opinion. “A dinner party on Wednesday.”
“Ooh, we could make the reason for it a surprise!” Rose clapped. “Just think! We’ll invite everyone! Do you think Prince George would come?”
“Prince George?” Fiona echoed, eyes widening.
“If I asked him, he would come.” Lucien revised his opinion of his cousin upward once again. With the proper training, she could be a fine prevaricator.
“I still want to tell some of my friends,” Fiona said stubbornly, though the suspicion in her eyes had lessened a little.
He shrugged. “I recommend against ruining the surprise, but inform whomever you like.” The woman she could most hurt with her little tale was safely tucked away in his wine cellar. As for Fiona’s own reputation, he didn’t give a flying damn.
“I would like it to be a secret,” Rose pressed. “You always try to ruin everything.”
