Page 45 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
“I joined the Royal Guard after we graduated, and have been traveling with the Royals since. Though not as much as you, as far as I have heard. My father says you took over the business after your father passed. My condolences.”
“Indeed. It is a chore, but we are working through it.”
“So, are you here for a certain lady’s hand?” Marcus waggled his eyebrows. “Not many impeccable choices this year, I am afraid.”
“I have gotten close to the Diamond if you must know,” Rowan replied, smiling as his old friend’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“I do not know why I should be surprised. You have always gone for the finest of the flock. She is a beauty.”
“She is,” Rowan said, turning around subconsciously to scan the crowd of guests that were beginning to file into the Queen’s Gardens.
“Are you planning on proposing?”
Rowan whipped his head around and laughed. “That is to be seen.”
“Good luck. Everyone has had their eye on her all Season.”
Obviously, they have not made any moves toward approaching her. She acted like she had a red letter on her chest when I first met her.
“I must get going and find the royal family, but I will be back for the game.” He bowed to the man and walked toward the giant summer estate, his heart beating rapidly.
He walked inside and was greeted by guards, and they led him to the sitting room, where he waited until he was permitted to enter. As soon as he walked through the door, he was bombarded with a hug from a tall man.
The Prince Regent was the son of this father’s childhood best friend, which meant Rowan and him became close when they were young. Rowan watched him live more and more lavishly as the years went on, and after several attempts to assist the prince with his finances, he realized it was a lost cause.
“Salvator! I am so glad to see you back in the country!” the Prince shouted, a grin gracing his face.
“Do not overwhelm him, my dear,” his wife said from the lounge.
“Your Royal Highnesses.” Rowan bowed before he was embraced in a tight hug.
“I am glad you’re here at these events, my friend,” George replied, chuckling. “There are only so many women and conversations over tea that a man can handle.”
“And the gentlemen who accompany them? Are they not up to the Prince’s standards of accompaniment?”
“They are worse than the ladies with their constant bickering and gossip!”
Rowan laughed in response, realizing in the past few weeks how true that was.
“I heard that you have been spending a curious amount of time with the Season’s Diamond. Are you planning on marrying her?” The Prince winked, and Rowan felt the pressure as soon as he heard the question.
“I am currently focused on my financials.” He gave him a pointed look, but the Prince was hardly paying attention as he poured himself a glass of brandy.
“I see. Well, according to my lovely mother, she is a very special girl. I hope to meet her today.” The Prince grinned, boyish excitement about a lady in his eyes.
“Perhaps you will get your chance. I must be going, but thank you for making time for me.” Rowan bowed, feeling like he could not get out of the room fast enough.
He did not know how to explain to Society that love was no longer on the table for him. It left him the day his father did, and it was his mother’s fault. She made him this way and then expected him to just forget like she did.
Well, I do not forget easily. And forgiveness will not be given for what she did.
He stormed out onto the playing field, grasping a cricket bat and getting into the mindset of the game.
* * *
Alice shuffled through the tables of picnicking individuals and families, all laughing and talking about anything to pass the time before the games started. She and Grace made their way to a table at the front of the sitting area, where Lady Camilla Neale sat with her chaperone, a woman who shared her features, who Alice assumed was her mother.
“What a surprise, Miss Snow,” she chirped, letting a servant pour her a cup of tea. “I hope the day is treating you well.”
