"Lady Rose? Your sister?" Northrup asked, a look of surprise on his face. "Lovely girl. Wouldn't give me the time of day."
"Yes, I know, old man, but you know our Rose. Always had her nose in a book or studying wildflowers. Anyway, she disappeared from Aunt Matilde's croft in Scotland," William said, shooting a warning look at his younger brother. The lie was an easy one to tell. There was no need for Rose's reputation to be tarnished.
Cassian settled into his seat. "We've been on the road for a week searching for her."
Northrup shook his head in disbelief. "Well, let's hope you can find her soon. In the meantime, let's eat. I am famished."
As they dug into their meal, the conversation turned to their travels and the various odd places they had bedded down, from a lovely inn to another stable. Cassian and William shared a chuckle over the sheep incident and the less-than-desirable sleeping arrangements they had encountered.
"Gentlemen," the Earl of Wexford said as he approached their table. "How fortuitous to run into you both."
William stood and greeted the Earl. "Wexham, good to see you."
The Earl nodded to Cassian before continuing. "I must tell you, I saw your sister, Lady Rose, at Lord Finn's ball last week. She was with Thomas, the Duke of Everness."
William's eyes widened. "The Duke of Everness?"
"Yes, I heard that they are engaged," the Earl continued. "And from what I understand, the duke’s mother has taken Lady Rose under her wing."
William's mind raced as he tried to recall what he knew about the duke. Then it hit him. The duke’s mother had been involved in a scandalous affair with a married man. And now Rose was under her tutelage. He felt his anger rise, but he planted a smile on his face.
Cassian's mouth fell open in surprise. "Engaged? To the Duke of Everness?"
The Earl nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It seems your sister has found herself quite the match."
William sat back down, still in shock. "I had no idea."
"Nor did I," Cassian said, his brow furrowed. "This is quite the news."
The Earl's brow furrowed. "You didn't know your sister is to be married?"
William realized his error. He had to protect his family's reputation. "We have been in Scotland for some time. Traveling and checking on our poor, elderly aunt. I am afraid that we have been remiss in reading the letters our mother has sent."
"Yes. Too busy," Cassian bobbed his head and parroted William.
The Earl nodded, his expression understanding. "I see. Well, I am sure your mother will be eager to fill you in on the details. The Duke of Everness is a good man. Your sister could not have found a better family to marry into."
William and Cassian shared a relieved look. "Thank you, Lord Wexham," William said. "I am sure our mother will be pleased to hear your kind words."
The Earl smiled. "It was a pleasure to see you both. I hope to see you at the ball on Saturday evening. I heard that the duke and your sister will be there."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world." William nodded, but his mind was already made up. He would see Rose tomorrow, at the duke’s home. And he wasn't going to leave until she returned home with him.
Chapter Twenty
Thomas had not come to dinner, and Rose was starting to worry. She searched the entire house, but he was nowhere to be found. Finally, she heard a noise coming from his father's sitting room and she made her way there.
When she entered the room, she found Thomas sitting in front of his father's portrait, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked tired and troubled, and Rose felt her heartache at the sight of him.
"Thomas, what is wrong?" she asked, sitting down beside him.
He did not answer for a moment, taking a sip of his whiskey. "I do not know if I can do this," he said finally. "The pressure of the final vote is weighing on me, and I feel like I am going to fail. Everything is done. There are no more chances after this."
Rose placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are not alone," she said softly. "I am here for you, and I believe in you. You have done anoutstanding job and you are on the right side. Not many would have been aware of the widows' and orphans' plight if not for you."
He looked up at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Rose," he said. He looked at his father's portrait. "I cannot let down my father. He was a good man. A great man, as a matter of fact, but he had one downfall."
"What was that?" Rose said, her voice quiet.
