The Duke Conspiracy by Astraea Press Page B

her parents. Really, any one of the ton should be kept in the dark about any conversation she
might have with the duke, as it could lead to all sorts of
speculation. And if she became the subject of speculation, it was
sure to reach Mama's ears at some point. And she could just imagine
the scene that would ensue if Mama were to find out she had spoken
with anyone from the House of Wrentham! It would have to be a
public place but perhaps at an ungodly early hour. That would be
just the thing. She would make the arrangements tomorrow.
    Glancing at the mantel clock, Rose shrugged
to her reflection later on this morning, to be more precise, she thought with a slight grin. Her grin widened when she realized
that she had been brushing her hair all through her mental
wrestling. That must be at least a week's worth of brushing. Perhaps I can take the next few nights off of this wearisome
task .

Chapter Four
     
    Alexander Edward Philip Milton, the Sixth
Duke of Wrentham, eyed his former friend speculatively. She looked
marvelously delicious this morning with her color high and her hair
piled up on her head in some ridiculous fashion that Alex could
never understand but looked lovely on her. But then he surmised
that he would consider her lovely even in a burlap sack. And being
summoned to a clandestine meeting put him in mind of an entirely
different type of girl. Alex reminded himself that she was a Smythe
and not to be trusted. He managed to contain his reaction to being
in her proximity, continuing to watch her fidget with her art
supplies.
    Struggling with frustration over the
conflicting feelings that had risen in him upon receiving her note
the day before, Alex found he did not really want to know why she
had demanded he meet her. He fought against a longing to spend time
with his old friend and chided himself for the tug of attraction he
felt whenever he laid eyes upon her. That was a very new sensation
and he was undecided if it was one he liked.
    Watching her as she once again became
absorbed in her art, he wondered how long it would take her to
realize he was there. It had always amused him how single-minded
she could be at times. He obviously could not dither there all day,
although it was a welcome distraction from the responsibilities
that weighed upon him. Alex decided to get her attention.
     
    ****
     
    The light coming in through the tall windows
settled nicely onto her page and the hushed silence almost seemed
to echo from the high ceiling. If she had been in a proper frame of
mind it would have been perfect for her art. Rose was fidgeting
with her sketchbook and pencils rather fitfully when she heard a
deep voice just behind her.
    “I see your skills have not improved overmuch
since the last time I viewed your efforts,” he drawled, teasing
her.
    Just barely managing to stifle a small
screech, even though she had been expecting him, Rose felt her
nerves were stretched to the limit.
    “Oh, Alex, you nearly gave me apoplexy,” she
chided.
    “Did you not summon me to meet you here at
precisely nine o'clock?” he asked, perplexed.
    “Yes, of course, never mind me,” Rose tried
to dismiss her nervous start, blushing with her embarrassment.
    “I must say I was surprised to receive your
summons. I did not think debutantes were accustomed to seeing the
day at this hour, nor did I think we were on speaking terms.”
    Rose had been busily gathering her supplies
in order to avoid looking at him in an attempt to overcome her fit
of nerves. She had thought it would be a matter-of-fact thing to
meet up with him. They had been on the freest terms when she was a
child. He had been her very best friend and she had told him
everything in her young life—up until three years ago. Now he was a
duke. And he had changed in subtle ways. So had she, obviously. As
a child she had never noticed the breadth of his shoulders or felt
a flutter in her stomach when he offered her that crooked grin. And
of course, there was not the feud