Page 77 of A Rogue to Ruin
Harry looked at him with grim determination. “I’m still working on that. I won’t lie—it doesn’t look easy right now. But I’ve never let that stop me.”
“Harry will find the proof we need,” Selina said with far more conviction that Rafe possessed.
“Good, you be optimistic for us both.” He felt as if the tenuous hold he had on this new life, this life he’d worked so hard to achieve, was slipping fast. Had he really become engaged just today? “I should mention that I’m marrying Anne Pemberton.”
Selina sat straighter and blinked at him. “Truly?”
“I proposed to her today, and she accepted. The banns will be read Sunday. We will wed the last week of July.”
“Congratulations,” Harry said with a hint of caution. “Are you happy?”
“What?” Rafe stared at him, unseeing, for a moment. “Yes. Of course.”
“It’s very sudden, isn’t it?” Selina asked.
“I’ve known her for months, so no. It’s nowhere near assuddenas you and Harry getting married after a few short weeks of acquaintance.” He looked at Harry. “I would like to be the earl before we are wed. Is that possible?”
“Entirely. I started drafting the claim last week, and now that I have the information from Stonehaven, I will finish it with due haste.”
“Excellent.” Rafe slumped back against the chair.
Glover stepped into the library. “My lord, Lord and Lady Rockbourne are here.”
Rafe waved his hand toward himself. “Show them in, please.”
The butler left and a moment later, Beatrix and her husband entered. They wore matching expressions of apprehension.
“What’s wrong?” Selina asked, starting to rise.
Beatrix, who truly looked as if she could be related to Selina and to Rafe, in spite of her diminutive stature, waved her back down. “Here.” She handed a newspaper to Selina and sat down on the other side of her on the settee.
Thomas, Beatrix’s husband, stood nearby. “Rafe,” he said with a nod before giving Harry just the physical acknowledgment.
“Rafe, this says you are the resurrected Earl of Stone.” Selina looked up at him and handed him the paper. “Near the top.”
He took it from her and perused the article under the words, LOST EARL OF STONE IS ALIVE? It detailed that he and Selina were the presumed dead children of the former earl. “How did this find its way to a newspaper?”
Harry stood. “I will ask them directly.”
Selina briefly took his hand. “Thank you.” She turned her head to Beatrix. “People are going to start questioning who you are. I’m so sorry.”
Beatrix shrugged, appearing untroubled. “I am prepared for the onslaught of judgment and dismay when we inform them I am illegitimate and only pretended to be your sister to avoid being ostracized. I am also ready for the confusion and distress when some of them wonder how to treat me since I am a viscountess.” She grinned at them, and Rafe couldn’t help but respect and admire her blithe attitude.
Selina relaxed slightly. “The Beatrix I met at school over fifteen years ago would not have been so secure.” She smiled at her. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you. I get all of my courage from you, dear sister. No one can stop me from thinking of you that way.”
“Nor me,” Selina said fiercely.
“I do wonder what my father will say.” Beatrix looked to Thomas. “I suppose I should warn him.”
Thomas frowned. “He doesn’t deserve that.”
“Probably not,” Beatrix said gaily. “What about you, Selina? Are you ready for the difference in the way people will treat you now?” She glanced toward Rafe. “And you?”
Selina exchanged a look with Rafe and shrugged. “I suppose.” She exhaled. “I knew it was coming. I just wanted another day or two.”
Harry faced Rafe. “I’m going to submit your claim to the Prince Regent and the attorney general tomorrow morning. However, before I finish it, I’m going to the newspaper to find out how they learned this information.” He bent and kissed Selina’s brow. “I’ll see you at home later.”
