“Oh, alright, I will tell you. But you must keep it to yourself,” Alison pleaded as Rose finished up with the stain and stood back on her feet. “If anyone finds out it is from me…”
Rose was doing her hardest not to beam. “My lips are sealed.”
“Well, if that is the case,” Alison looked about the kitchen and then dropped her voice. “You know my cousin, yes? Michelle.”
“I do.”
“She was in Bath last weekend, where she saw Lord Ellery. Which in itself is not a surprise, for I am sure he has many reasons to visit Bath. Only, it is who she saw him with that raised concern.”
Rose’s heart was racing. “Who was he with?”
“A woman,” Alison said with wide eyes. “A commoner, to boot! And to make matters even worse, they had with them a boy of about four who Michelle swears was a spitting image of Lord Ellery. Can you believe it?”
“No!” Rose gasped.
“It is his child,” Alison continued, her words starting to slur even more. “It must be his child. Oh, his poor wife,” she then moaned with sadness. “How distraught she will be to find out. You will not tell her, will you? Please, Rose, you must keep this to yourself.”
“I have already forgotten,” Rose said.
From there, it was a bit of a struggle to drag Alison back outside, after which it was a chore to find her husband and hand her off, which Rose did as soon as she could.
“You won’t tell anyone, will you?” Alison slurred as her husband carried her away. “And give Marriane my best!”
Alone now, her task complete, she spun on the spot and scanned the gardens until she found the Duke down the path. Her eyes lit up, and she hurried for him, caring not for what people might say if they were seen speaking together, and for a second time.
“It is done.” Rose came in behind him.
The Duke started at the sound of her voice, as he was busy speaking with a small group of his peers. But he turned and found Rose standing there, hands folded behind her back, expression one of absolute delight and triumph.
“Done?”
She looked knowingly at him. “Concerning…” Her voice dropped. “Lord Ellery.”
The Duke sighed as he turned to gesture to his friends that he needed a moment. Then he scowled at Rose, indicating for her to follow him. Which she did do, almost dancing the whole way because she was that excited.
“I would have preferred subtlety,” the Duke said once they were alone. They stood in the corner of the large garden, far enough away that they would not be overheard.
“It is done,” she said again. “I found out everything you need to know.”
He frowned and tilted his head, only now seeming to notice the way that she was shaking from the excitement. “Did you, now?”
“I did.”
“And?” he asked. “What did you learn?”
“You were right to be worried,” she said, almost shouted. “Lord Ellery is…” The Duke widened his eyes, and she dropped her voice. “He is having an affair.”
“You are certain?”
Rose repeated to the Duke what Alison had told her. “She was quite insistent that the child looked just like him. And I know her cousin, too, just as I know she is not one who would speak such rumors without warrant. It is true, Your Grace. I promise you.”
Rose didn’t know what to expect as a response from the Duke.
She supposed she expected him to smile, clap his hands, and praise her for a job well done. If he were half as excited as she was, he would not hesitate to show it. That’s what she would have done.
It was only when she saw the shadow pass behind his eyes, which looked like sadness, that she realized how wrong she was. And not just concerning his reaction, but her opinion of the type of man that he was.
“You did well today,” he told her, his gaze now distant. “But I am afraid that I have business to attend.” With that, he stepped around her to leave.
