Page 30 of A Duke to Elude (Sherton Sisters 1)

“What happened?” Sally asked as she urged her mistress up and over to the dressing table so she could remove the pins from her hair.

Rosabel slouched over, all her energy drained.

“Last night, at the ball, I had danced with Wexford. Nothing of importance had been said while we danced. It was quite pleasant, in fact. I even found myself thinking that I wished he wasn’t a duke.”

Sally nodded, well aware of her mistress’ desire to lead a simpler life than that of duchess, away from watchful eyes.

Rosabel sighed. “But heisa duke. So, when our dance concluded, I walked away from him without any longing looks over my shoulder.”

“Not that you would do something so vulgar anyway, my lady.”

Bel had to laugh at her maid’s defensive tone. “No, you’re right, I wouldn’t, but I didn’t even feel inclined despite how appealing Wexford is. Anyhow, as the evening progressed, I caught glimpses of him from time to time, but didn’t speak with him anymore.” She paused in her narration when the last pin was removed, and her long hair tumbled down her back. When Sally picked up a brush and started brushing through the thick strands, Rosabel sighed with relief as her tension began to seep away.

“So, where did the trouble come in?” Sally prodded.

“I don’t even recall at the moment who I was partnered with. I’m fairly certain it was a quadrille. Or maybe a cotillion. Anyway, that hardly matters, but as we circulated through the dance floor, I could clearly see Wexford. He was in conversation with Prescott right at the edge of the dancing area. It appeared to be more than a passing greeting. Of course, I couldn’t hear anything. And Wexford is so close with his thoughts, hardly anything can be read on his face even when you’re deep in conversation with him yourself, let alone across a crowded room. But from what I could see, they were deep in conversation.”

Rosabel paused for a moment before she added her thoughts.

“Just that very fact quite puts me out of charity with Wexford and adds to the thought that I have no interest in being courted by him.”

“Is he offering to court you?” Sally was puzzled.

“No. He is offering to interrogate me about Prescott.”

“But I don’t understand why.”

“I don’t really understand it either, to be honest with you. Wexford says it’s because I was paying too much attention to his conversation with the cad that night. I tried to tell him he had caught my eye because he’s so handsome, but he didn’t believe me. Which really, that’s very strange, don’t you think? Surely, he’s stared at all the time. He really is quite good looking. I don’t see why he’s so convinced it was because of Prescott.”

“But it was because of Prescott, wasn’t it, my lady?”

“Well, of course it was, but I can’t tell him that, can I? It’ll ruin me.”

“Surely, the duke is too much of a gentleman to tell.”

“I don’t really want to take a chance on that, Sally. Remember, if I’m ruined so will Hilaria and Vicky be.”

“His lordship, your father, wouldn’t allow it to come to that.”

Rosabel shrugged. “We agreed at the time that it wasn’t worth testing that theory.”

“Perhaps it’s time we rethink our strategy.”

“Why? Just because Wexford is asking? It’s none of his business. And so, I shall tell him. He’ll be calling for me at ten.”

“Ten? In the morning? But that’s not quite eight hours from now.” Sally’s plaintive cry made Rosabel smile.

“That’s what I said when he brought it up, but he was quite insistent. I thought about telling him off, but he said he would come knocking and would speak with my father if I wasn’t ready. I would rather keep all of this as quiet as possible. So, you will have to make sure I’m ready.”

“If you’re certain.” Sally sounded uncertain enough for the both of them.

“I’m sorry, Sally. You’re going to be exhausted from this. You’ll most likely have to accompany me, as my sisters won’t be awake. Not that I would want to bring either of them with me anyway. Since it’ll be daylight and he’ll surely bring an open carriage, having you along should be sufficient to protect my reputation, even if we’re seen. But the tongues will surely wag.”

“Perhaps you’ll become even more popular if you’re seen to be pursued by Wexford.”

Rosabel shrugged. That was not her ambition and the least of her worries at that moment.

“Do you think you’ll be able to rise in time?”

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