Her heart leapt. “Deal? What deal?”
“This deal relies entirely on your so-called business acumen. You think that you are smart? Clever? That you know people? That I can use you?”
“You can,” she said quickly. “Just give me a chance.”
“Tomorrow, Lord Lanchester is hosting a garden party.” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“I am aware.”
“At this garden party, a business associate of mine will be in attendance, Lord Ellery. While I believe him to be a good man, I have heard whispers of a scandal that dogs his name. It is said that he has a mistress, and with this mistress, he has produced children.”
“And you want me to…”
“To find out if it is true,” he said. “I cannot be seen to be in business with men like that, nor can I be seen as one who gives credence to mere rumor. I need you to find out for me, and to do so discreetly, so it does not come back to either of us. Is that understood?”
Rose only needed a moment to contemplate her answer. “Consider it done.”
His smile was slight, and his eyes flashed at her. “I thought as much.”
“And,” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “If I do this, my sister—the marriage…”
He licked his lips. “I am a man of my word, Miss. Rosalind –”
“Rose,” she spoke before she could stop herself.
“Excuse me?”
“Rose,” She swallowed the lump again. “Only my father calls me Rosalind.”
A smile pulled at his lips, but he held it back. “Miss Rose, then. Do this for me, and I will marry you in your sister’s stead. Assuming, that is, that you will not try and find a way out once the deal is made.”
“I am a woman of my word.”
“Good. Oh, and one more thing,” He took a small step back, and his green eyes filtered over her. A smirk pulled at his lips again, and those eyes flashed with delight. “Might I suggest that tomorrow, you wear something more appropriate?”
Her face dropped. “I– of course, I was going to –”
“Forgive me for saying, but your face,” Slowly, he reached up as if he meant to stroke her face. Rose’s eyes widened, and she caught her breath, preparing to slap his hand down, just as she was preparing to feel his touch. He stopped himself, however, his hand hovering inches from her cheek. “It is far too feminine and soft to be dressed in such a way. Yes,” He licked his lips again. “A face like yours needs to be seen. No?”
He turned and walked to his desk.
Rose took a deep breath, as if it was the first taken since entering the office. Her body was still shaking. It was warm too, and she was sweating through her clothes. That wasn’t to mention her heart. It thumped so hard that she was certain the Duke could hear it.
What is wrong with me? Maybe I am getting ill? That might explain why my body continues to act in ways that it shouldn’t be. Yes, a sickness must be coming on.
“We are done here,” he said as he sat down, done without looking at her. “But I am sure we will speak again soon.”
Rose was quick to leave after that.
Rose indeed felt relief as she scurried through the manor and then outside, where a horse was waiting for her. Her plan was a success, and for that, she could not be more thrilled.
However, there was a small part of Rose that could not escape the feeling that she had made a terrible mistake. And it had everything to do with the Duke of Thornwell, a man she could not explain, a man she did not understand, a man unlike anyone she had ever met. And that was a thought that both terrified and excited her in equal measure.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Rose, who are you looking for?” Marianne asked. “Rose?”
“Hhmm?” Rose said absentmindedly, hardly paying her sister any attention. In fact, so distracted was she that she had completely forgotten that her sister was there.
