“Who wasn’t there?” Rose asked, straightening in the squabs.
Inhaling deeply, William directed a look of annoyance at his father. “Lady Eva.”
Rose’s eyes rounded. “She’ll be back in time for my ball,” she replied. “Are you... are you planning to court her? Because if you are—”
“I’d rather you not say anything to her,” he remarked, cutting her off before she could offer any sort of assistance. “She’s been gone all winter. She may already be married with two children and a dog,” he groused.
Despite the seriousness of his son’s comment, the duke chuckled. “It doesn’t happen that fast,” he said, although looking back at his situation reminded him that sometimes it had felt like that with his first two daughters. “Besides, Lord and Lady Sommers only left London a few weeks before Christmas,” he added, referring to Lady Eva’s parents. They had taken their daughter and their niece, Lady Helen Tennison, to their country estate in Shropshire. “I have it on good authority the baron is due back in Parliament before the week is out.”
When William noticed Rose’s happy expression, he asked, “What are you beaming about?”
Rose sighed. “Although I would have dearly loved to have Adeline as a sister, I do believe Lady Eva will be an acceptable substitute.”
William stared at her a moment. “Adeline?” he repeated. “But she would never do. She’s merely a viscount’s daughter,” he added.
Inhaling sharply, Rose turned to stare first at her brother and then her father, immediately reminded of what David had said to her that night in the gardens.
I am a viscount’s son. I will never be more than a viscount.
Despite the dim lighting inside the coach, she could see the wince the duke displayed at hearing his son’s comment.
“Unlike a hundred years ago,” James said in an even, clipped tone, “the Ariley dukedom is in good stead. There is no need for your marriage to be one of financial or political importance.”
William furrowed his dark brows. “What are you saying, Father?”
James sighed softly, his hand covering one of his wife’s. “Marry for love, dammit.” He paused before turning his gaze squarely on his daughter. “Both of you.”
His attention going from his father to Rose and then back to his father, William allowed a huff. “Well, this certainly changes things,” he said. He settled into the squabs, a grin lifting his cheeks.
All at once, Rose realized Lady Eva wouldn’t be her sister.
