by Bree Wolf
Charles shook his head, feeling defeated. “There is no solution. She will never accept me as long as she believes that I ruined her cousin’s life.” His eyes shifted from Isabella to his brother.
“Well, then I should think the solution is rather obvious,” Robert stated, pouring himself a glass of brandy. Now that his own happiness was no longer at stake, his old cheerful self had returned. “You need to tell her the truth.”
Shocked, Charles stared at his brother. “Are you insane? What if she is so furious with me for lying to her and pretending to be someone else that she reveals our secret to the rest of the world?”
“I do not believe she would do that,” Robert stated, his eyes held a hint of doubt and the hands tensed around his glass.
“Are you willing to bet your future on it? As well as your wife’s?” Charles asked, shaking his head. “No, I could never ask you to do that.”
“Then call me selfish, but I cannot live, knowing that my happiness is built upon your misery,” Robert snapped, glaring at him. “Frankly, I am a little disappointed that you would think I’d stand idly by and watch you lose the woman you love.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I never would, especially not after everything you did for me.”
Unsure what to say, Charles stepped toward his brother, an apologetic smile on his face. “I didn’t mean to imply that−”
“Wait!” Isabella interrupted, stepping between them. “Maybe there is another way.” A conspiratorial smile curling up her lips, she looked from Robert to Charles. “Do you believe she would accept you if she knew what truly happened to her cousin?”
Charles shrugged. “I have no way of knowing that. But what does it matter? I doubt that she would believe me even if I told her.”
Isabella nodded. “But she will believe her cousin.”
“Her cousin?” Charles echoed.
Smiling, Robert nodded. “That is a marvellous idea.” Grabbing his wife, he planted a kiss on her lips, then turned to look at his brother. “I believe we need to switch identities one last time.”
Chapter Twelve − Deception
After the longest fortnight of his life, Charles finally found himself standing in the entry hall of his townhouse, welcoming a select number of guests to celebrate Robert and Isabella’s return to London.
While Isabella was dressed in a stunning, red dress that accentuated her raven hair and dark eyes, the two brothers sported the same evening attire with the exception of their tailcoats. While Robert’s was black, Charles had chosen a dark navy.
Most guests were rather surprised to have received an invitation, considering that neither one of the brothers had ever truly enjoyed the role of hosting an event in the past. However, everyone invited was in attendance, unwilling to pass up the opportunity to acquire first-hand knowledge about the newly-weds’ travels as well as possible gossip about London’s notorious Lord Norwood.
Relieved, Charles saw not only Mr. Lawson and Rose arrive but also Mrs. Diana Reignold and her husband. A part of him wondered if the latter had been surprised to receive an invitation, considering that they had never exchanged more than a few words with Mr. Reignold the night of Lord Fenton’s ball.
However, once they had arrived, Charles’s outward calm stood in even greater contrast to the impatience coursing through his veins with increasing speed. His entire hopes for a future with Rose hinged on the success of this night so that as the evening dragged on Charles found himself more and more unable to focus.
All he saw was Rose.
As she entered his home on her father’s arm, his heart rejoiced, not wanting her to leave these marble halls ever again. However, when she accepted Lord Radcliff’s invitation to dance, he was close to strangling the man.
With his emotions wreaking havoc on his nerves, he caught his brother’s eye, who grinned at him in a knowing way.
“I know how you feel,” Robert said, confirming his thoughts. “However, you need to remain calm. After all, it is only a dance.”
“I wonder if you’d feel the same way were it Isabella and not Rose,” Charles growled through clenched teeth as he fixed his brother with an icy stare before returning his attention to the woman he loved.
His eyes thoughtful for a second, Robert nodded. “I admit you’d probably have to restrain me.” Clasping a hand onto Charles’s shoulder, he leaned closer. “Still, do not ruin what we have so carefully planned out,” he whispered imploringly. “The dance will be over soon, and then Isabella will draw her away.”
Unable to tear his eyes away from Radcliff’s lecherous gaze as it slid over Rose, Charles nodded, his muscles beginning to ache with the effort it took him to keep them under his control. “For everyone’s sake, I hope it’ll end soon.”
Robert chuckled, “I dare say, Brother, I have never seen you this way. However, I am glad that beneath your rather serious exterior rests a passionate heart after all.”
“How kind of you to notice.”
Robert laughed, clearly amused by that night’s happenings. “In case you failed to notice, which I am certain you did, considering that your attention has been solely focused on Miss Lawson since the moment she stepped over the threshold,” Robert whispered, “Mrs. Diana Reignold has been observing you all night.”
His eyes snapping to his brother, Charles frowned. “She has?”
Robert nodded. “She tries to hide it, but let’s just say, were she a spy, they would have executed her for treason by now.”
Glancing around, Charles met Diana’s gaze for only a second before she spun around, pretending to admire the painting above the mantle.
“Occasionally, she glances at me,” Robert remarked with a chuckle. “I suppose we have her slightly confused, which I am certain will work to our advantage.”
“Let us hope you’re right,” Charles mumbled, relieved to hear the music come to an end. As Rose bowed to Lord Radcliff, declining his request to procure a drink from the refreshment table, Charles felt the strain on his nerves fade…and for a brief moment, he thought he would faint with relief.
“There,” Robert said, nodding his head toward his wife, who moved through the crowd toward Rose. “We need to go.” Nudging Charles, he drew him away. “Do not worry. Everything will work out as planned.”
Charles only hoped his brother was right.
***
“Thank you for alerting me,” Rose said to Isabella as they crossed the large hall, trying their best not to seem too rushed. “Indeed, she does look a little pale.”
“Do not mention it,” Isabella said, her face concerned. “I noticed her looking at my brother-in-law, and after what you told me about what happened between them in the past, I am not surprised to see her so affected. It must be hard for her to see him again.”
Rose nodded. “It is. Seeing him reminds her of the wrong turn her life took that night.” Glancing at her cousin’s wandering eyes, Rose sighed. “Is there any place she could rest?”
Isabella nodded. “The back drawing room.”
As they reached Diana’s side, she shrank back before a forced smile drew up the corners of her mouth. “Goodness, you startle me. I did not see you coming. I suppose I was rather…distracted.”
“Come with me,” Rose whispered, drawing her cousin’s arm through her own.
“Where are we going?”
Seeing Diana’s bewildered face, Rose smiled at her reassuringly. “Just come with me. You need to rest.”
“Rest?” her cousin mumbled, her forehead in a frown. “What do you mean?”
Smiling, Rose pulled Diana through the crowd, following Isabella as she led them through an arched doorway and down a long corridor. With each step they took, the music faded and the guests voices grew dimmer.
“In here,” Isabella said, holding open the door to the drawing room.
Pulling her cousin inside, Rose urged her to sit down on the settee, then hastened to pour her a glass of water. “Here, drink this. It will help calm your nerves.”
&n
bsp; Judging from the red blotches on her cheeks and neck, Diana was quite agitated. Rose could only hope that she would calm down and allow her to take her home without making a scene. Who knew what would happen if her nerves snapped and she found herself compelled to confront the man who had ruined her life?
“My nerves?” Diana asked, confusion clouding her eyes. “I do not understand.”
“Then allow me to explain.”
Spinning around at the sound of his voice, Rose stared at the very man responsible for her cousin’s rattled state of mind.
Behind her, Diana gasped in shock.
Squaring her shoulders, Rose glared at him. “What are you doing here?” she snarled before her eyes slid sideways and came to rest on Isabella.
“I apologise for the deception,” the young woman said, honest regret shining in her dark eyes. “However, there is something you need to know.”
“I don’t care,” Rose spat, holding out her hand to her cousin. “We are leaving.”
“No, you’re not,” Lord Norwood stated, unflinching determination visible in his eyes. Striding toward them, he looked at Diana as though assessing her character before stopping in front of Rose, his tall stature blocking their path. His eyes met hers, and what she saw there, Rose didn’t understand. For a moment, she felt as though she was looking at a stranger.
“I, too, apologise for luring you here under false pretences,” he conceded. “However, there−”
Rose snorted. “You are making quite the habit of it, my lord. First, you compromise my cousin and refuse to marry her, then you have the audacity to speak to me of love,” his eyes widened slightly, “and now, after inviting us into your house, you refuse to let us leave?” Rose shook her head as her heart hammered in her chest. Never before had she felt so overwhelmed. Oh, if only her father were here!
He took a step toward her. “I assure you no harm will come to you.” Then his gaze momentarily shifted to Diana. “However, I believe I have the right to defend myself against the accusations laid at my door or would you deny me that?”
Rose took a deep breath. Unfortunately, his request was not unreasonable. “What do you hope to accomplish by twisting the truth of that night?” she demanded. “As I understand it, it was not your only wrongdoing. You cannot possibly hope to redeem yourself in the eyes of the world.”
Holding her gaze, he shook his head. “I do not,” he said before taking another step closer. “I only hope to redeem myself in yours.”
Taken aback, Rose drew in a deep breath. “But why?”
A soft smile came to his lips as he looked down at her with kind eyes. “I believe you know that.” Nodding to her, he turned and faced Diana. “I wish to ask you a few questions, and all I ask is that you answer honestly.”
Pale, Diana stared at him with wide eyes.
“Leave her alone,” Rose demanded, stepping around him. “She has been through enough.”
His lips thinned as he regarded her. “Then allow me to ask you something. Was your cousin’s account of what happened that night the only reason you refused me?”
Rose drew in a sharp breath as all eyes turned to her. Was it? She asked herself.
“I thought so,” he said, reading the answer in her eyes. Then he nodded his head at her, and once again turned to Diana. “Why did you follow me out into the gardens that night?”
Blinking, her cousin stared at him before her eyes shifted to Rose and back again. “I…” Her eyes narrowed as though in disbelief. “You are really here,” she whispered, a soft smile coming to her lips.
Lord Norwood cleared his throat, then sat down on the edge of the settee, maintaining an appropriate distance, and met Diana’s eyes. “Why did you follow me? Did I ask you to?”
Although Rose felt compelled to stop him and protect her cousin, her feet wouldn’t move. The pulse hammered in her veins, and she found herself looking at Diana, eagerly awaiting her answer.
“No,” Diana whispered, her eyes distant as though her mind was somewhere far away. “At least, not in words.” She smiled at him, and the devotion shining in her eyes broke Rose’s heart. “But I knew how you felt, and so I followed you. I knew if you only had the chance to speak your heart’s desire, you would ask for my hand.” The smile died on her face, and an incredible sadness came to her eyes. “Why didn’t you?”
Lord Norwood swallowed, and Rose was surprised to see compassion on his face. “I do not mean to hurt you; however, I would be lying if I told you that I have ever desired your hand in marriage.” He paused, his eyes searching Diana’s face. “I never spoke to you of love. Nevertheless, I do want to apologise for the misunderstanding that night.”
As her breathing quickened, Diana shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “But you kissed me!”
“I did,” Lord Norwood admitted, and Rose drew in a sharp breath as a wave of disappointment rolled over her, “but I thought you were someone else.”
Rose frowned. “How could you−?”
“Lady Dunston,” Diana exclaimed unexpectedly. “She was always around you,” she added, a hint of disgust in her voice as big tears rolled down her cheeks. “She told me to leave you alone. She told me that a man like you would never be interested in a girl like me.”
An apologetic smile on his face, he looked at her. “It was not her place to speak to you like that. However, she was not wrong. I was not looking for love that night, but I knew you were. I suppose I should have made myself clear.” Shrugging, he sighed. “I never thought you would come after me, and when your arms came around me from behind, I didn’t know it was you. I just turned around and…”
A wistful smile came to Diana’s face. “I have never been kissed like that, not before and not since.”
Hearing her cousin’s words, Rose felt her own lips begin to tingle as she remembered the night her father had left them alone in the drawing room.
Then, his mere presence had sent shivers up and down her body, and she had curled her fingers into fists to keep from reaching out to him.
Now, however, the man who spoke so kindly to Diana seemed different. He had the same voice, the same eyes, and yet, they did not touch her as before.
Something had changed.
Chapter Thirteen − The Man She Loves
After switching tailcoats with Charles, Robert had gone after his wife in order to confront Diana as himself and hopefully prove to Rose that he had not intentionally ruined her cousin.
Charles, on the other hand, had been forced to remain behind. After all, what would their guests say if they all vanished from their own party at once?
Devoting himself to entertaining his guests, Charles made his rounds, exchanging pleasantries and ensuring that everything went smoothly. However, after a half an hour, his mind felt numb and his heart burned, his feet eager to follow after his brother.
Mumbling an excuse, he set off down the corridor, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the walls. Stopping outside the door, Charles listened carefully; he could only hear hushed voices and was unable to make out what was said.
Determined, he quietly opened the door and found Diana sobbing on the settee, his brother beside her, speaking in low tones. Isabella stood by the door and a hint of surprise showed in her eyes as she saw him. However, after a moment of hesitation, she ushered him in, and the ghost of a smile on her face gave him hope.
Then, his eyes turned to Rose.
When she met his gaze, her eyes narrowed before they shifted back to his brother.
“I need to go,” Diana declared as she brushed the tears from her cheeks. “I need to go.” Jumping to her feet, she turned to the door, humiliation clearly visible in her eyes.
Rose hastened after her.
“No, don’t.” Turning to face her cousin, Diana shook her head. “I need to be alone.”
“At least, allow me to escort you back to your husband,” Rose suggested, reaching for her cousin’s hand.
“No!” Diana shrank back, shaking her head. “I
can’t. I…He is the last person I want to see right now.”
“The library is down the corridor to your right,” Isabella said, compassion resting in her eyes. “You will find it empty.”
Diana nodded. “Thank you.” Then she turned and left, her footsteps echoing down the hall.
Turning back around, Charles met his brother’s eyes as he rose from the settee. A strained look on his face, Robert inconspicuously shrugged his shoulders, and Charles wondered how Rose had reacted to her cousin’s revelations.
Facing her, Charles was momentarily surprised when she turned away from him and walked up to his brother. Then, however, he reminded himself that at least presently she believed his brother to be him…at least the him she had met a few weeks ago.
How had life ever become this complicated? Charles asked himself, shaking his head in exhaustion.
Meeting his brother’s eyes, Rose smiled, and Charles felt his insides turn upside down before she opened her mouth and said, “Εν οίδα ότι ουδέν οίδα.”
While his brother stared at her with a rather dumbfounded expression on his face, Charles closed his eyes as happiness warmed his heart and a deep smile spread over his face.
Beside him, Isabella chuckled.
A deep frown on his face, Robert looked lost. “He knows…eh…I’m sorry, but my Latin has never been good to begin with.” Crinkling his nose, he looked at Charles through squinted eyes.
Shaking his head at his brother, Charles stepped forward, just as Rose turned to look at him and their eyes met. “I know one thing that I know nothing,” he translated, and a knowing smile lit up her beautiful features.
“It was never you, was it?” Rose asked, her watchful eyes searching his face. “You are not Lord Norwood, are you?”
“What?” Robert exclaimed, shock evident in his voice.
Smiling, Isabella held out her hands to him, and he drew her into his arms. “Women always recognise the man they love,” she whispered, tilting up her head for a kiss.
