As they took up position to greet their guests at the bottom of the ornate ivory and grey central staircase, Ernest suddenly said: “You do look very lovely.”
Rose looked at him quickly, stunned by his sudden apparent kindness, but as she held his gaze, she saw the veil of resentment and bitterness slide back down into place.
When Ernest told her he was inviting hundreds of people, Rose was worried about having to greet such a crowd, especially since she knew many would be opposed to marryingher brother-in-law.But she didn't have to worry about the people of Arundel. Everyone from the town who came forward to greet themwas positively effusive in their congratulations. Some women squeezed her hand and murmured their delight at her decision to stay.
Rose saw a few people struggle to contain their surprise when they finally laid eyes on the new Duke, and some looked at her almost in consternation. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, she imagined they looked quite mismatched. Some guests remembered Ernest from when he was a boy, living with his parents at the castle, and they shared a story or two with him. He professed absolutely no interest. Others remembered her, especially the owner of the general store where she and her sister regularly begged their father to take them for sweets and fripperies. He smiled at her kindly and gave her hand a firm shake.
The ladies and gentlemen of the ton were quite another matter. It was obvious many had made the long journey from the capital solely to witness this bizarre match for themselves. Also, the Duke of Norfolk was the most senior peer in England, so Ernest’s status had elevated exponentially from lord to duke when Ambrose died. The ton was nothing if not status-driven, and high society always wanted to be associated with those at the top of the tree. However, Rose suspected he was not well-liked by neither men nor women.
Rose had avoided the ton once her coming-out year was over. Despite the heartbreak of marrying Ambrose, she had not been sorry to leave behind theclique's backstabbing and bickering. But now that she was standing next to Ernest, shefixed asmile and shook hand after hand after him.
“Good evening, so lovely to see you.” “Yes, doesn’t the castle look wonderful?” “No, I haven’t been to London in a while; I must make the time.” In the end, she wasn’t even meeting their eyes, just focusing on the hands, muttering a few words and moving them along. Strong handshakes, limp handshakes, she met them all the same, with her stoic firm grip. She wondered if the line would ever end.
As the next male hand was placed in hers, her fingers closed around a lovely, warm palm which suddenly squeezed hers in a playful manner. Startled, Rose looked up straight into the eyes of one of her oldest friends.
“John,” she gasped with genuine delight. She sensed, rather than saw, Ernest’s head snap up and realized her greeting was most improper for the occasion. “I mean, Mr. Carney.” She quickly corrected herself. “How delightful to see you.”
“It is indeed wonderful to see you, my dear Bluey,” John Carney grinned, not even trying to acknowledge her title and using the nickname she had not heard for a decade. He beamed his familiar grin, and Rose wanted to hug him.
“How did you… I mean… What are… How did you know?”
“About your engagement?” He tilted his head to one side. “Your fiancé is one of my best customers. I have never told you, Your Grace, but your future wife and I grew up together just a few miles from here when we were children.”
Ernest smiled, but to Rose, it looked more like a grimace as he took her arm in a possessive grip. “I did indeed not know you were so well-acquainted, Mr. Carney,” and then effectively dismissed him. “Rose, people are waiting.”
But Rose was not so willing for John to move on immediately. “Who are you here with? Did you bring your wife?” She looked down the line.
“No. I have not been blessed with a companion so far,” he said. “But I have also not come alone. Will!” He shouted over the heads of all those still waiting in the Entry Hall.
CHAPTERFIVE
Rose stopped breathing. No! It could not be. He couldnot have come. But there, by the door, tearing himself away from a small group of ladies desperate for his attention, was the very visible figure of William Browning. His suit was a stunning powder blue; breeches and jacket. He was dressed in white stockings and brown leather shoes, and his white vest was so tight that he looked like he had been poured into it. He looked flawless. Albeitthunderous.
John was smiling as if this was a wonderful surprise for her. She was pretty sure her attempt at a smile matched Ernest’s grimace. Will was walking towards her now, unnaturally slowly. His reluctance was obvious; it was quite clear this was the last place he wanted to be. So whywashe here?
His angular face, framed by his trademark tousled locks, was set in a scowl. As he walked, Rose could see the muscles rippling in his thighs.Lord, he is beautiful. Despite the company and the occasion, her heart quickened in her chest. She knew Ernest was watching her throughout this exchange, and she must not betray herself. She wanted to look away as he came closer but found it impossible. It was as if they were two magnets being drawn inexorably together. The hubbub in the hall silenced, or maybe that was just her imagination, but she was certainly not aware of anyone else as he stepped forward and came to a halt less than two feet from her.
She looked into his dark brown eyes, and for a moment, she saw her pain reflected in his; a dark mixture of regret, longing, and loss, which seemed to permeate through them both as they stood together, alone, in the middle of dozens of people. Then the trapdoor slammed shut in his eyes, and the thunderous stare darkened, and Rose saw only contempt. The physical impact on her was immediate as if every emotion inside him had suddenly poured across the divide. She dropped her gaze, but she knew she had to look back at him, had to act normally, or the whole town and the ton would know her business, and Ernest might renege on their deal just to punish her.
“Mr. Browning, what a surprise!” With trepidation, she extended her hand toward him. Will glared at her blue-gloved arm, and for a moment, he did nothing. She desperatelydidn't want him to touch her, and it was clear from his delay in responding politely that he didn't either. But everyone was staring, especially John, who was beaming at the two of them as if he had no idea what they were going through.
Will moved then. Reaching forward, he clasped her gloved palm against his. The jolt she felt made her eyes fly to his. Had he felt it too? If he had, his eyes did not betray him, but neither did he let go of her hand. Through the thin silk, his warmth was as hot as a furnace. She felt him squeeze her fingers slightly.So, he had felt it.
Rose knew she had to speak to cover this awkward moment, which felt like it had been going on for far too long. Ernest shouldnever know about her discombobulation. Will's gaze had shifted to the top of her gown, where the sequins sparkled in the light from the candelabras. He finally returned his eyes to hers after she raised her free hand to cover half of the decoration across her bodice, but the tingling caused by his perusal persisted beneath her dress. He didn't even have to touch her to make her senses race.
“I wasn’t aware you were acquainted with my fiancé,” she said eventually and saw the flash of hurt in his expression.
Will dropped her hand immediately and took half a step backward, breaking the spell between them. That slight separation felt like a punch in the chest.
“The Duke and I have business dealings,” Will spoke then, his deep baritone voice still so unfamiliar to her. He reached past her and extended his hand to Ernest, shaking the Duke’s hand with a firm grip. “Delighted to see you again, Your Grace. May I offer my—"
Rose prayed onlysheheard the slight hesitation in his voice,
“—congratulations. Myself, and Mr. Carney, were most honored by your invitation.”
“Browning,” Ernest tipped his forehead forward.
Will then turned on his heel and walked towardthe Great Hall. John followed in his footsteps. Rose couldn't fathom why he was present,wonderingif he had specificallycome to punish her. Turning back to the stalled line of people waiting to greet her, she breatheddeeply to still her thundering, deafeningheart. She felt sick and dizzy, and she wondered how she was going to get through this horrible evening.