Page 78 of When He Was a Duke
Rose moved closer, studying the woman who had tormented her for weeks. “I have to wonder, why? Why were you so cruel to me? You could have simply pursued my father without trying to destroyme.”
“Could I?” Honoria whirled around, her composure finally cracking. “Your father made it clear. He wanted you gone. Those were his terms. He would not marry me until you were married.”
“I wonder why?” Rose asked. “Do you know?”
For a moment, she thought Honoria wouldn’t answer. But after a second, her shoulders sagged and she sat on the edge of the bed, clearly exhausted. “He knew how clever you are. And honorable. Like your mother. He knew it was only a matter of time before you discovered the truth of his operations.”
It was as she’d suspected. Father had wanted her out of the way, but it had to be with White. To ensure silence from his only child.
“What about you?” Rose asked. “Did you really want to be married to a criminal? And a murderer?”
“I have to survive.” Honoria’s voice turned harsh. “You have no idea what it’s like to depend entirely on a man’s whims for your very existence. To know that one wrong word, one moment of displeasure, could leave you destitute. To smile and charm and debase yourself for the mere hope of security. I did what I had to do.”
Rose felt something unexpected—a flicker of sympathy. “Actually, I do know. I was about to be handed to Baron White. It that’s not powerless, then I’m not sure what is.”
Honoria studied her face. “Your father has left us both with little hope. He’s not the first selfish man to leave me with nothing.” She turned back to her packing, her movements now mechanical. “I’m sure he won’t be the last.”
“Where will you go?” Rose asked softly.
“I have a distant relation in Yorkshire. I’ll go there and beg her to let me stay until I can find another man who wishes to marry a woman like me.” The words came out stilted, clearly painful.
“And Violet?”
“She’ll return to her father.”
Honoria’s hands stilled again. When she spoke, her voice was barely audible. “Think what you want of me, I truly hoped to help her get out of her father’s house.”
“If I can help her, I will.”
“Yes, but as we’ve agreed, neither of us can,” Honoria said. “We’re deluding ourselves if we think otherwise.”
“I cannot give up. I’ll keep trying to do what’s right, even though it seems hopeless.”
“You’re a fighter. Like me.”
Rose met her eyes steadily. “I cannot forget what you tried to do—how you wanted me out of the way—helping my father trap me into marrying Baron White. But I can understand why you did it. And I can wish you well despite it all.”
Honoria nodded slowly. “That is kind of you.”
For a moment, they stood in silence.
Then Honoria returned to her packing with renewed efficiency. “For whatever it’s worth, I do hope you find security in the years to come. And that no one can ever take it from you.”
“Thank you.” Rose moved toward the door, then paused. “Good luck, Mrs. Blackwell. And safe travels.”
Rose left without waiting for a response, but as she closed the door, she heard something that might have been a sob.
Walking down the corridor, Rose felt a deep sorrow for the woman who had tormented her. She had looked her in the eye and had seen not a monster, but a woman trying to survive in a world made for rich men. It didn’t excuse what Honoria had done. She had acted out of selfishness and cruelty. Regardless, the human instinct to survive perhaps outweighed all else. Compassion and generosity were luxuries for those who had secure futures. Was Rose about to succumb to the same fate? Would her next chapter be one of manipulation and desperation, clinging to whatever or whomever would offer her a warm place to sleep?
*
Later, her friendsgathered around her in the drawing room—Arabella, Daphne, Lydia, and Violet were all there. Rose had decided to tell them the whole truth about her feelings for Sebastian. There was nothing to lose now and she found herself longing for female advice.
“I’m in love with Sebastian.” Rose stared down at her hands, fingers twisting in her lap. “And I haven’t the faintest idea what’s to become of me.”
“We figured as much,” Arabella said.
“It all feels rather hopeless,” Rose said.
