Chapter 6
Arrangements
Alexander arrived at Pembleton Manor the next day, nodding curtly at the butler. The servants hid their emotions much better than the day before, but he could still sense their unease. It was clear that Miss Rose Pembleton was well-loved by all in the Cotswalts household.
And you are to take her away from everything to live a miserable life with you.
Alexander shook his head and tried to distract himself by looking around the drawing room. He noticed an aged pianoforte in the corner and wondered if Miss Pembleton played.
The sound of the door opening caught his attention, and he turned, expecting to see his fiancée. Instead, he found himself face-to-face with two young women. They shared the same brown hair as Miss Pembleton, and he guessed that they must be her sisters.
The older of the two regarded him with curiosity, while the younger one seemed to flush with embarrassment. He guessed the older one would be Olivia’s age.
What must they think of me, stealing their sister’s happiness?
Alexander surveyed both girls, eventually bowing to each of them. “Allow me to introduce myself?—”
“We know who you are,” the younger of the two, a girl of about fifteen, interrupted.
“My apologies, Your Grace, my sister forgets herself.” The older one elbowed the younger, and Alexander had to force down a smile.
“There is no need to apologize.” Alexander looked down at both of them, trying not to draw attention to his scar. “As you know who I am, perhaps you might introduce yourselves to me? So we are on more equal footing.”
Both girls flushed, but before either could answer, Miss Rose Pembleton entered the room. Her eyes widened at the sight of her sisters, and she looked between them and Alexander.
“Your Grace, I hope my sisters have not been bothering you.” She shot both of her sisters a pointed look.
“They have not. Yet, I fear we have not been properly introduced yet.”
Rose sighed, and Alexander was struck by the mix of love and frustration on her face as she shook her head at her sisters. She took each by the hand and held his gaze as she introduced them both.
Rose gestured first to the older of the two, then the younger one as she said, “This is my middle sister, Miss Jane Pembleton, and this is our youngest sister, Miss Emily Pembleton.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Alexander bowed low to each of the girls in turn.
Miss Emily giggled, which earned her a sharp look from both of her older sisters.
“I believe Mother is looking for you both.” Rose motioned for her sisters to leave. “Besides, the Duke and I have much to discuss.”
“About your wedding?” Miss Emily asked.
“Yes, about our wedding.”
“Oh, please, can we stay? I would so love to hear about your plans.” Miss Jane’s eyes widened, and she looked at her elder sister hopefully.
Rose shook her head. “Some things must be settled between a woman and her future husband alone. I promise, you will hear everything later. But for now, please give us some privacy.”
Alexander saw the warring curiosity and disappointment on the younger sisters’ faces. They hid the latter well but were clearly not as practiced as their older sister. Yet, both did as they were asked, leaving him, Rose, and her maid alone.
He forced himself to remain still, even as he felt the uncomfortable silence between them grow. He did not want to alarm the woman.
“Your sisters are…” Alexander paused, wondering what would be an appropriate thing to say. “Charming.”
“They are still young and still have much to learn. Jane has not even had her first Season. She will come out next year when she is eighteen,” Rose said coolly, then indicated a chair. “Shall we discuss our wedding? I would prefer to sit if it would please you, Your Grace.”
Alexander nodded. Sitting was often easier, he found, as it made his height less imposing.
Rose sat across from him, a very different woman from the one he had spoken to the day before. There was a strength about her that he hadn’t expected.
“You said you would need time to think of the arrangements?” he prompted.
“May I be candid?” Rose held his gaze, and he knew that it was not a question, not really.
He nodded. “You may.”
“I have no wish to let my life be dictated by the whims of the ton. A rumor may have forced our hand, but it need not stifle us forever.” Her eyes flashed with anger.
Alexander felt his shoulders tense. He heard the unspoken words.
I will not be like you.
Once more, he felt guilt tug at his heart. This woman, so young and with such a bright future, was braver than he could ever hope to be. The full weight of the scorn of the ton sat on her shoulders, but she would not let it defeat her.
She should be with someone worthy of her.
He schooled his features into a blank expression. “What do you propose?”
“Our wedding should be a spectacle. The kind of celebration the ton will be speaking of for years.” Rose’s eyes were alive with fire. “I would have everyone see the scandal as nothing more than two young people who could not help but be drawn to each other. I want our wedding to show the world that I am truly blessed to be marrying someone like you. That I am to be a duchess and that brings the kind of luxury and power few can dream of.”
Alexander’s mouth opened in surprise, before he caught himself. “I have the means to easily arrange such extravagance. I take it you will want only the finest gowns and a breakfast fit for royals?”
Rose nodded. “And I would have everyone believe that we are choosing one another.”
Alexander canted his head, confused. “I am afraid I do not understand.”
“For this day, this one day, I wish for the world to see us as a happy couple. For us to appear in love, and for it to seem as though all of this extravagance is born of your desire to spoil me.” Rose flushed. “I do not mean to suggest that you must be overly affectionate, but I would at least like for us to look the picture of happiness. I want everyone who sees us to understand the strength and appeal of the match, and therefore to understand the benefits of a match with one of my sisters.”
Alexander nodded. “What did you imagine this might look like?”
“I would have you at the very least call me Rose.” She smiled.
“And would you wish to call me Alexander?” he asked, genuinely curious.
Rose flushed but nodded. “On our wedding day, yes. Yet, I do not expect to continue to do so after, if it displeases you.”
“And after we are married? What shall we call each other, then?” He had meant it as a joke, but his words came out harsher than he had intended.
“You may continue to call me Rose.”
“Not Duchess?”
“Duchess will be my new title, and perhaps, one day, I will get used to it, but for now, I would prefer to remain Rose.” A sad look crossed her face.
Alexander turned away from her, unable to see the pain he was causing.
She wishes to hold on to something of her life, that much I can understand.
It reminded him of his own feelings when he had become the Duke of Emberly eight years ago.
Even now, some part of him balked at the title. Of course, he had known that one day he would cease being Lord Alexander Rokesby and become the Duke of Emberly, but he had always imagined being forty or more years old when the time came. Not a boy of seventeen.
Shaking his head, he realized that he had fallen silent. He looked back at Rose, who was studying him with a most curious expression on her face.
“I shall call you Rose if that is what you desire.” Alexander hesitated.
To call one by their Christian name is a most intimate thing, yet how can I deny her this if it will bring her comfort in the days to come?
“If you wish to call me Alexander, you may. At the very least, you do not need to call me ‘Your Grace.’ You are not my inferior.”
Rose smiled. “Thank you, Your Grace—I mean, Alexander.”
The sound of his name on her lips tugged at his heartstrings. It was odd to have someone he knew so little of call him such, and yet there was a warmth in her voice as she said his name. Almost as though she were testing it to see if it fit him.
“Is there anything else you desire, Miss—erm… Rose?” Alexander stumbled over her name, finding the intimacy uncomfortable.
“Perhaps you might hold my hand or take my arm as we leave the church. Dare I hope for a smile or two on our wedding day?” Rose’s lips quirked up. “You do know how to smile, don’t you?”
Alexander felt a surge of anger. The impudence of this girl. “I have been known to smile, yes. Though it can be a source of discomfort.”
Rose blanched, but she did not back down. “I am sorry, I did not realize that smiling might cause you discomfort. Is there some other way you might display your pleasure?”
Alexander studied her, trying to see if she was being earnest. “It is not smiling that causes me discomfort, but the fear of others.”
“Perhaps it is because you do it so rarely.” Rose seemed surprised as she said the words and looked away. “Regardless, if you are able, I would appreciate at least one smile when we are married. At the very least, if you could look like you do not hate everyone present, I would be most grateful.”
“I shall do my best.” Alexander canted his head towards her.
“Is there anything you wish from me?” Rose looked as though she were searching for something on his face.
Alexander swallowed. “There is nothing I can think of. I shall tell my butler to spare no expense and arrange for Mrs. Thomas, my housekeeper, to liaise with you directly. If you have any problems, write to me at your earliest convenience.”
“Then you agree to my terms?” Rose’s eyes went wide in surprise.
“They seem most reasonable to me. I have heard that most women spend many hours planning their wedding day. I myself had not planned on taking a wife, and have therefore given little thought to the matter.” Alexander ran a hand through his hair and frowned. “I will take care of applying for a special license.”
He then pursed his lips thoughtfully. “I shall speak to the Duke of Glassley about a venue. I believe his family once leased Aldington Palace for a ball, and it is a venue that can accommodate many people. It is in London and would be easily accessible.” He looked over to see Rose’s mouth fall open in astonishment. “Did you have another venue in mind, good lady?”
Rose closed her mouth, then replied, “No. I… Aldington Palace. Yes, I think that will be most adequate.”
“Then it is agreed.” Alexander stood up, put on his hat, and inclined his head towards her. “I shall have my man confirm everything with you and your father.”
“Thank you.” Rose’s voice was soft, but her smile was genuine.
Alexander frowned. “I do not need your thanks.” His words came out tight and clipped. “I am only doing what must be done.”
His heart sank as he saw the hurt on her face.
Why must I always say the wrong thing?
Feeling utterly wretched, he turned away from her, exiting the manor without uttering another word.
For a moment, he considered returning to her, ready to explain what he had meant, but then he decided against it. She would have to grow used to disappointment if she was to be his wife.
Yet, I can at least give her this one day.She deserves that much, at least.
With his mind made up, Alexander strode away from Pembleton Manor, determined to organize the most extravagant wedding the ton had ever witnessed.
At least Rose has plans, all I need do is fund them.
As he rounded a corner, the hurt on her face flashed in his mind.
After the wedding, he would keep his distance. It would be better for them both. He had spent years distancing himself from those around him, he could do it with this stranger.
A feeling that he could not quite place stirred within him as he resolved to keep his distance. Yet, before he could identify it, something hit his shoulder. He glanced down, only to find a dollop of white bird excrement on his coat.
Perfect, just perfect.
He hoped it wasn’t an omen. He left the estate, the strange feeling all but forgotten.