Page 83 of When He Was a Duke
She felt herself smiling for the first time in days. “This is wonderful news, though rather daunting.”
“You’re stronger than you know, Lady Rose. We’ll manage it together.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hale. For everything.” Her voice grew thick with emotion. “None of this would have happened without your courage. Teaming up with Sebastian. Going to the constable.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “When I learned of Stephens’s character, I felt it might be my chance to finally voice my suspicions. Though I’ll admit, I hedged my bets. If I’d been wrong and word had gotten back to your father?” He shuddered. “I might be the one in prison instead of him.”
“But you did it anyway.”
“Someone had to.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Rose’s thoughts turned inevitably to the one person missing from this conversation. “Mr. Hale, what of Sebastian? Where is he?”
The older man’s expression grew cautious. “He’s returned to his brother in Brighton. He wanted to tell James what had transpired.”
A lump formed in Rose’s throat. Why hadn’t he come back to see her first? They had so much left unsaid. “Did he learn anything in London about his situation?”
“He’s begun his appeal to the Crown. I believe his title will be restored, likely with some compensation, but it may take months. Perhaps even a year.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest despite her confusion. “When will he know?”
“In the next several weeks, he hopes.”
Rose hesitated, then asked quietly, “Does he know about Father’s will? That I’ve inherited everything?”
Hale’s cheeks reddened slightly. “I’m afraid I was quite forthcoming. I was so relieved for you that I couldn’t contain myself.”
“Don’t apologize. I would have told him myself.” Her voice grew smaller. “Had he come back to me.”
“May I speak plainly, my lady?”
She nodded, bracing herself.
“Sebastian believes you don’t share his feelings. He wanted to give you peace, so he decided to step aside and fight the rest of his battles with his family.”
Rose stared at him, shocked. “That’s what he thinks? That I don’t care for him?”
“He said you hadn’t confessed otherwise.” Hale’s tone was carefully neutral. “Is he wrong?”
She almost laughed at the optimism in his question. Sebastian had clearly won over the estate manager just as thoroughly as he had her. “When we thought I’d have to marry Baron White, Sebastian said we could run away together. Be poor but free. I was so overwhelmed, so frightened, that I didn’t know what to say. Then Baron White arrived, having heard it all. And you know the rest.” She spread her hands helplessly.
“Understandable. But your hesitation made him uncertain.”
Rose stared down at her hands. “I fought my feelings, Mr. Hale. But there’s something about him that moves me. He touches my heart in ways I didn’t know were possible. I think of him every moment of the day. I couldn’t stay away from him despite knowing how dangerous it was.” She looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I’m in love with him. Devastatingly so.”
Hale leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Despite everything between your families? The history?”
“My father destroyed his family out of greed and jealousy. Should Sebastian and I deny ourselves love because of that?” Her voice grew stronger. “If I let disgust about our past dictate my future, then Father wins, even from his grave.”
A slow smile spread across Hale’s weathered face. “I couldn’t agree more. Sebastian Ashford’s a good man, Lady Rose. Courageous and honorable. Now that you can choose your own fate, I humbly suggestyou choose love.”
Something in his tone made her study his face more carefully. “You speak as if from experience.”
His smile faltered. “I would choose love again, if it were ever offered to me. After what happened to Lizzie, I didn’t think I’d ever be open to the idea. However, now that so much time has passed, I find myself longing for a love of my own.” He trailed off, pain flickering across his features. “I think she would want me to find love again. If Hargrave is found and charged, I can finally move forward.”
Rose reached over and squeezed his hand. “I’m so sorry. We mustn’t give up on finding Hargrave.”
“Wherever that devil is hiding, his luck will run out eventually.”
