Page 33 of Trapped with a Wicked Duke
The Dowager Duchess raised an eyebrow. "I have received several pointed questions from other members of thetonasking why there has been a delay. I would hate for anyone to start thinking that there is a problem with your engagement. Imagine the scandal…"
Thomas could feel the pressure building and he struggled to find the right words. "We will get to it soon, mother. I promise," he said, trying to sound confident.
The Dowager Duchess sighed and set her brandy glass down. "I expect you to follow through on your promise, Thomas. I will not have my family's reputation tarnished because of your delay."
Thomas felt a rush of anger at his mother's words. He knew that her own reputation had been tarnished years ago, but he kept the comment to himself. Instead, he gave her a tight smile and said, "Of course, mother. I understand your concerns, but we will make an official announcement when the time is right."
He could tell that his mother was not satisfied. He looked over at Rose, who was now looking down at her hands, clearly uncomfortable. He knew that they needed to find a way out of this sham engagement, but he was not sure how to do it without causing a scandal. He decided adding one more lie would not hurt.
"One month from now," he said. "If Rose's family agrees, that is."
"**
Rose tried to keep her expression neutral as Thomas's mother spoke. She had been so lost in thought and wondered how she and Thomas would break off their fake engagement and what it would do to his political career. She pushed these worries away and reminded herself that she had agreed to this arrangement out of duress and that, as much as she supported Thomas's cause, she still planned to take his money and start a new life.
But just as she was lost in her thoughts, the Dowager Duchess clapped her hands and exclaimed. "Oh, Thomas, I am so pleased! I have already started making plans for the guest list." She beamed at them both, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Rose, you and I will need to sit down and create the list this week."
Rose wrinkled her brow in confusion. "I beg your pardon?"
Thomas raised his brows and gave her a significant look. "For our wedding, Rose. Weren't you listening?"
Rose blinked. "I—uh—wedding?"
The Dowager Duchess let out a trilling laugh. "You were a million miles away. Probably thinking of your latest recipe for a salve. Why didn't you tell me that you and Thomas had picked a date? One month is not a great deal of time to put together a wedding."
"One month?" Rose turned to Thomas. "Darling, I thought we had not decided yet."
Thomas patted her hand. "We had discussed it, remember?"
Rose gritted her teeth and gave him a feral smile. "Of course." She put her hand to her forehead. "I apologize. I am feeling rather tired. I think I shall retire for the evening."
As she rose, Thomas stood. "I think I will, too. I need to work on my speech tomorrow."
Rose waited until they were clear of the sitting room before whirling on Thomas. "One month? Why would you tell your mother we are to marry in one month's time?"
"I had to tell her something, and this will keep her busy. I cannot focus on my speech and the final vote that is to occur next week if she is constantly hounding me about our wedding. We shall break off the engagement after the vote," Thomas said.
Rose inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to calm her racing heart. "I understand that, but what about the damage it will do to your political career? Thetonis already buzzing about our engagement, and if we break it off, it will only fuel the gossip and speculation."
Thomas waved his hand dismissively. "I can handle theton. I am more concerned about passing this bill and helping those in need. Once that is done, we can worry about the aftermath of our broken engagement."
Rose bit her lip, still uncertain. "I suppose you are right. But we are playing with fire."
Thomas took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I will make sure you are taken care of, Rose. Trust me."
Rose looked up at him, her eyes filled with doubt. She was not sure if she could trust him, but she was in too deep to back out now. She nodded and allowed him to lead her up the stairs to their separate bedrooms.
As she lay in bed, Rose's mind raced with uncertainty about her future with Thomas. What would happen when their fake engagement came to an end? Would Thomas's political career be affected? Would she be able to start a new life with the money he had promised her? How was it possible that her parents had not got a whiff of her whereabouts yet? The questions swirled in her mind, leaving her on the edge of sleep but unable to fully surrender to it.
Chapter Seventeen
Rose made her way down to the breakfast room, her mind still filled with the events of the previous night. She was still trying to wrap her head around the idea of a wedding in just one month's time and how she and Thomas would call the whole thing off. As she entered the room, she found Thomas already seated at the table, a newspaper in hand.
He looked up as she approached, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Good morning, Rose. I was hoping to catch you before you started your day."
He gestured to the seat across from him, and she took it, settling into the plush cushion of the high-backed chair. A footman approached, offering her a cup of tea and a plate of scones.
"Thank you," she said, taking a sip of the steaming liquid. She looked back up at Thomas, noticing the twinkle in his eye. "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"
