A DUCHESS DOTES ON A DAUGHTER
Meanwhile, in the parlor at Ariley Place
“You were terribly quiet during dinner,” Helen said as she poured a cup of tea and handed it to her daughter.
Rose took the dish and placed it on the small side table next to the chair into which she had fallen only the moment before. She really wished she could be back in the dining room with her father, enjoying a glass of port while listening to him go on about tomorrow’s opening of Parliament.
She couldn’t recall feeling as bored as she was at the moment. Surely it wasn’t as boring down in the dining room.
Learning her brother would be attending Parliament had her wondering if William’s head would grow too large for his neck. The writ in acceleration, a sort of summons, merely enabled him to attend the House of Lords using courtsey titles whilst the duke was still alive.
Earl of Waverley.
Her brother was an earl. It was a courtesy title, nothing more, but it still made him an earl.
“I am still not addressing him as ‘Waverley’ when we’re here at home,” Rose announced.
Helen tittered. “Is that what has you bothered?”
Rose gave a start. “I suppose,” she admitted. She wondered if her father had talked to her mother about their earlier conversation. His undivided attention, even if it had only been for fifteen minutes, had both calmed and alarmed her. As a duke, he could use his influence to force some poor unsuspecting young man into marrying her.
Well, not apoorman, surely, but someone who wouldn’t dare thwart Ariley’s plan for her future.
“If you’re concerned your father is going to compel some poor earl to marry you, I have it on good authority he is not,” Helen announced.
Rose straightened so fast in her chair, she nearly injured her neck. Staring at her mother, she struggled to close her mouth. “He spoke with you about it?”
The duchess pulled her head back, which had a second chin appearing for only a fraction of a second. “He frequently speaks with me, darling. He has to. He insists on sharing a bedchamber,” she replied on a huff. “He did mention before dinner that he was tempted to use his influence to push a certain young man in your direction, but I informed him he had better not do such a thing.”
“Oh?” Rose replied, wondering who the young man was he had in mind.
“Sometimes they push back, and the results are not what you expect.”
Not sure if she felt relief or disappointment at hearing this last, Rose took a sip of tea.
“You must decide, Rose,” her mother said. “You must make a decision as to who you wish to marry—”
“Whom.”
“—and then you must pursue him until he catches you.”
Rose blinked, not sure if the duchess was aware of what she had said. “I’m supposed to chase him until he catches me?” she asked in confusion.
A most beatific smile appeared on Helen’s face. “Yes. Exactly.”
Furrowing her blonde brows, Rose gave her head a shake. “You say that as if you think it will work,” she murmured.
“Oh, I know it will.” At her daughter’s questioning expression, Helen added, “Because it worked for me.”
Rose blinked again, this time giving her head a quick shake. “With Father?”
“Indeed.”
Scoffing, Rose said, “Father wanted you from the time you were both much younger. You didn’t have to chase him.”
Helen sobered. “Did he tell you that?”
Nodding, Rose said, “Right before dinner. Have you noticed he tends to spend a good deal of time woolgathering these days?”
