Again, Hope House.
Rose stole inside the chamber and was instantly attacked—in a good way. “Goodness, Lady MacBeth. What are you doing here?”
Gabriella’s smush-nosed dog danced around her feet as if she’d been saved from the gallows with happy little yips.
“It can’t have been that bad. You’ve the whole chamber to yourself,” Rose told her. There was a nice fire roaring in the hearth, and Rose went to the nearest chair and plopped down. Of course, Lady MacBeth had the manners of her namesake andjumped in her lap without an invitation. Rose didn’t have the heart to set her aside, and scratched her behind her ears.
The door opened, and her sister entered. “Hiding out, are you?”
“I just needed a moment, and your dog refused to let me leave.”
“So I see.” But the little traitor deserted Rose the instant Gabriella took a seat on the settee.
“Why is she inmychamber?”
“Mine is much too small for my little queen,” she said in a voice used only for infants and small children, then touching her nose to Lady MacBeth’s. “Isn’t that right, your majesty?” She lifted her head with a cheeky grin aimed at Rose. “Besides, this hasn’t been your chamber for many years.” There was no heat or jab intended as a slight. Only a tease that had a giggle—a giggle!—escaping Rose.
A year ago such a statement might have spun her into an all-out fury. And tonight, she was giggling. Would wonders never cease? She shook her hand. “Do you think Rebecca will be offended we didn’t join the other ladies?”
“She would never say so.” But Gabriella set Lady MacBeth aside and stood. “Will you come?”
“I suppose. I just need a minute longer.” Enough time to check Sebastian’s study for lurkers.
Gabriella smiled and kissed her dog on her queenly head then left, closing the door softly behind her.
“I suppose I best be on my way as well,” Rose informed the dog.
Lady MacBeth, in a tiff now, didn’t bother responding, laying her head on her paws, choosing to stare at the fire. A queenly rebuff if ever there was one.
Rose stole quietly down the servant stairs and took the back hallway to Sebastian’s office. She stole inside and stopped. Theeasy mood in the room halted, and she found herself facing six men who’d risen upon her entry. None of whom were Mr. Whitmore. Heat flooded her face. She lifted her chin. “Apologies, gentlemen. I thought for a quiet respite…” It was the only thing that came to her in the moment. Inwardly cringing, she spun on her heel, trying for a dignified retreat, and hurried to the drawing room.
“Oh, there you are, Rose. I was about to send for the cavalry,” Rebecca said.
Rose narrowed her eyes on the duchess. “As I told Gabriella, I just needed a moment.”
“Lady Brockway was just suggesting the possibility of adding another segment to Hope House,” Rebecca said.
Intrigued, Rose took a seat next to Lady Harlowe. “Oh?”
A sly smile touched Rebecca, raising the hair on Rose’s neck.
Lady Brockway’s laugh came out brash. But for sounding like an ill mule’s bray, she was a lovely woman. She cleared her throat. “Um, yes. I was just about to mention how my children have been enjoying safeguarding lessons.”
Rose glanced about the company. No one seemed confused by this statement but herself. “What on earth are those?”
“Instructions on how to defend one’s person from nefarious scoundrels,” Gabriella said. “I think the women of Hope House would benefit greatly from such training.”
Rose was speechless. “You mean, like,boxing? For young women? It’s unheard of. Scandalous, even… Who… Where…”
“It’s nothing like boxing. My husband has shown excellent skill in the matter,” Lady Brockway said with a sharp and knowing smile and a voice coated in forged steel, and without a single escaping bray.
Oh, my.
Fourteen
Emerson sealed the missive to Rose then sent for Amir.
“You rang?”
