Thomas forced a smile, trying to maintain his composure. "I assure you, Poppy, there is nothing amiss. Lady Rose and I are very much in love and looking forward to a future together."
Poppy's eyes narrowed. "We will see about that," she said, her voice low and menacing. "I will find out the truth, Thomas. And when I do, you will regret keeping secrets from me."
She whirled away from him, and Thomas watched as her carriage rode away a few minutes later into the dark night.
As Thomas entered the foyer, Mr. James was there to greet him. "Good evening, Your Grace. How was the House of Lords today?"
Thomas let out a sigh and his shoulders sagged. "It was a long day, Mr. James. I am glad to be home."
"Lady Rose and Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess, have already retired for the evening," Mr. James informed him. "But I did spot Miss Jameson's carriage outside earlier. Did she visit with you?"
"She did, but she has already left," Thomas replied, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Is everything all right, Your Grace?" Mr. James asked with a concerned look on his face.
"It is Miss Jameson," Thomas confided. "She may cause problems for my well-laid plans. I just hope she does not do anything to jeopardize the vote or Lady Rose's wellbeing."
"I see," Mr. James said, following Thomas to his study. "Allow me to pour you a brandy to help you relax."
As Mr. James prepared the drink, Thomas leaned against the mantel and let out a sigh.
He knew that Poppy was on to his scheme and that he needed to be careful. Poppy was not one to be underestimated, and she seemed determined to uncover the truth behind his engagement to Rose. Thomas needed to stay one step ahead of her if he hoped to protect Rose and keep their secret safe.
Thomas settled into his study, lost in thought. He thought back to his time with Poppy Jameson. She had been all too willing to share his bed, showing no concern for propriety. He had been foolish then, not realizing the consequences of his actions. Now, he was filled with regret for his rakish ways and for trifling with Poppy's feelings.
He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts aside. His speech for the final vote on his reform bill was more important than anything else. He sat down at his desk and tried to focus, but his mind was preoccupied with the possibility of Poppy exposing the truth about his engagement to Rose.
He sighed and took a sip of the brandy that Mr. James had poured for him. He knew he needed to stay calm and think things through. He couldn't let Poppy's visit rattle him or compromise his plans. He took a deep breath, determined to stay focused and protect the future he had worked so hard to build.
Rose lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She suspected that something was off. She had seen Miss Jameson's carriage pull up earlier, and she had wondered what could have brought her to Thomas's home at this hour. The sound of another carriage had made her clamber out of bed. She went to the window, peering down at the driveway below.
She had watched Thomas and Miss Jameson talking. From their body language, she could tell that Thomas was uncomfortable. And Miss Jameson was standing far too close to him, and her hand was resting on his arm. Rose watched as Thomas stepped back from Miss Jameson with his face a taut mask.
Rose had not been able to hear their conversation, but she could tell that he was trying to extricate himself from the situation. Miss Jameson looked angry, and Rose could not help but feel sorry for Thomas. As she watched, Miss Jameson had marched away from Thomas, anger apparent in every step. She had climbed into her carriage and drove away.
Why do I even care what he does or feels?
Rose sighed and went back to bed. As curious as she was, it was not her affair. She was simply here with Thomas to play a part. She would keep what she had seen to herself.
But despite her best efforts, Rose kept thinking about Thomas and Miss Jameson's conversation, and she wondered what it could have been about. She was missing something, like there was more to the situation than what she had seen. Rose tried to push these thoughts aside and focus on her breathing, but her mind was racing. She knew Thomas had a reputation as a rake, but she had never seen him with another woman before. She had always assumed that he was only using her for political gain, but now she wasn't so sure.
As she lay there in the darkness, Rose felt a pang of regret. She had always been wary of love and commitment, but now she couldn't help but feel like she was missing out on something. Maybe if she had been more open-minded, she could have found love with a man who would understand her need for independence and her thirst for knowledge. But it was too late for that now.
Rose knew that she had made her choice, and she couldn't go back. She would simply have to do her best to carry out their charade until the end. With that, Rose finally drifted off to sleep, but her dreams were filled with what could have been.
Chapter Thirteen
Thomas walked back into the sitting room of Lord Flinn's home. His eyes took in the opulent surroundings. The room was large and grand with high ceilings and rich, dark paneling. The furnishings were equally impressive with plush velvet sofas and chairs, and elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. This was the man he needed to have on his side if he were to win.
As he made his way toward the sideboard where a footman waited to pour drinks, he noticed the guests who had already arrived. The ladies in attendance were dressed in their finest, their silks and satins rustling as they walked. Their dresses were adorned with lace and ribbons, and they wore diamonds and pearls in their hair. He looked over to see Rose standing off to the side, speaking with Lady Finn. She looked stunning in her emerald green gown, and her hair was styled in a fashionable chignon.
She and his mother had spent some time discussing the dress for the evening. It had amused him to see Rose's eyes glaze over,but she had remained polite and allowed the Dowager Duchess to decide on her gown and hair. He knew that Rose would much rather be back in the library working with her beloved plants than fuss about fashion, so he appreciated her sacrifice.
Rose excused herself and made her way back to his side. In a low voice, she hissed, "You were gone quite a long time. I now know why Lady Finn's sitting room is so grand. She has spared no expense with the furnishings. The walls are covered in silk wallpaper she ordered from a salon in Paris, and the sofas and chairs are upholstered in the finest damask. The tables are made of mahogany and inlaid with mother of pearl imported from Asia. And the chandelier is made of crystal from Prussia. I thought you would have rescued me long before she got to the light fixtures."
Thomas smiled at Rose's comment. "Apologies. I was catching up with some old friends in the study," he said, offering her a glass of champagne. "I wanted to make sure that we are on the same page regarding my plans for the House of Lords."
Rose took a sip of her champagne and looked around the room. "It is impressive," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "But I would much rather be back in the library, surrounded by my books and plants."
