At that moment, Will walked into the now very crowded bedchamber, but stopped dead when he saw Rose.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
“Your Grace,” he exclaimed. “I did not expect you to be here.”
“Given it is my home, I think it is less surprising that I am here than that you,” Rose said, but her tone belied the surge of pleasure she had felt when he came through the door. “What are you doing back here so soon?”
Jennings looked confused. Will just smiled.
“I haven’t left. The Duke invited me to stay this morning. We have some business to discuss, and we both thought this would be an ideal opportunity to plan, while he is bedridden. I intended to sit with him this evening.”
He is staying in the castle!Out loud, she said, “Why did no one think to inform me?”
“My apologies, Your Grace. I did not think it would be of interest to you.” She knew he knew full well it would be, and he had had plenty of opportunity to tell her, but she could not make a scene in front of Jennings.
“It is my home, Mr. Browning. Everything that happens in the castle is of interest. But I trust Jennings has found you comfortable quarters.”
“Very comfortable, Your Grace.” Will smiled.
“Well, if you intended to sit with the Duke, I will take my leave.”
Will placed himself between her and the door and looked at the two laden plates on the table. “Why don’t we sit with him together?”
Jennings moved around Will to usher the footmen out the door, and while he was preoccupied, Will closed his fingers around Rose’s wrist and said simply, “Stay and dine with me.”
Her eyes flew to Ernest, but he was still sleeping, and the nurse was looking at her plate as she ate. No one was watching them.
Reluctantly, and against her better judgment, she let him lead her to one of the chairs at the table, and he pulled it out so she could sit down.
“Why did you not tell me you were staying here?” she hissed.
“You didn’t ask,” Will said.
“Why would I ask such a question?” she demanded. “I should be the one to give permission.”
Will’s eyes slid to Ernest. “Well, it seems the new Duke felt he was entitled to as well, which is fortunate for me as I assume you would have said no.”
His eyes twinkled at her across the table as he unwrapped his cutlery from the napkin and placed it across his lap.
“How long do you intend to stay?”
“I am not sure. As long as is expedient.”
“Why would you not stay with your mother and sisters?”
“This is closer,” he said, picking up a fork. “And considerably grander.”
“I didn’t think you even liked him!”
Both their eyes went to the man in the bed.
“There is little need for emotion in business, Your Grace, only expediency, which means convenience and practicality. But then you know that!”
Rose narrowed her eyes at him as she picked up her own knife and fork.
As she cut into her salad, she asked, “What kind of business have you and the Duke been discussing?”
“Shipping on the canal is booming right now. The company with the most barges will enjoy the greatest fortune. I am always in the market for investors.”