The Duke Conspiracy (22 page)

“You are nowhere near being on the shelf, so
do not be a ninny,” Lady Yorkleigh countered, with a wry twist to
her lips.

“But if my mother insists that I set my cap
at the man, do you know anything that I could use to dissuade
her?”

“You could always just be very unskilled at
cap setting,” the countess suggested with a twinkle in her eye.
“But in all seriousness, Miss Rose, there are a few things. Is your
mother in the habit of gossiping?”

“Not overmuch,” Rose replied, puzzled.

“The reason I ask is because some of the
things I am about to tell you I would not want to be bandied about
Town.”

“Aside from my mother's questionable taste, I
do believe her discretion can be trusted if she is asked to keep a
confidence.”

“Very well, then I will tell you a few
things. I do trust
your
discretion. I quite took a liking to
you when we were introduced. You may decide for yourself what you
tell your mother after we are finished with our visit.”

“Thank you, my lady, you have no idea how
much I appreciate your help.”

“Think nothing of it, my dear. Would you care
for some more tea?”

Rose had prepared herself for the countess to
launch into a tale of the knight's depravities, and was thus
surprised by the prosaic offer of tea. She allowed a nervous giggle
to escape her lips. “Thank you, my lady, that might be a good
idea.”

“Tea is always a good idea, my dear,” the
older woman stated with conviction. “Now where should I begin?
There are actually many things to tell you. Some I am not certain
are suitable for a young girl's ears. I will be a little vague on
some of those details, I am afraid. Your mother will appreciate
that, I am sure.”

Rose was still puzzled and wished fervently
she would just get on with it. The suspense was making her feel
edgy.

The countess dithered for a couple more
minutes, fussing with the teapot and getting herself settled
comfortably once more in her seat. Finally, she launched into
speech. “Sir Jason Broderick should not be trusted by anyone, in my
estimation. Young girls are not safe from him because he is rumored
to have ruined a couple young women of good families and then
refused to marry them. Not that anyone would wish their daughters
married to him, as he also has a violent temper and has been known
to express his anger upon his servants and animals, so I would not
put it past him to be a wife beater. So, to get your mother to
smarten up about the highly unacceptable knight you shall just have
to tell her about the rumors and I am quite convinced she shall set
her sights elsewhere.”

Rose struggled to contain her disappointment.
She was absolutely certain that Broderick and Austen's schemes
involving Wrentham had nothing to do with the sullied reputations
of unsuspecting debutantes. She had
so
wished that Lady
Yorkleigh was going to be of help, but she could not divulge her
involvement with the duke, so all she could do was smile and nod as
sincerely as she could muster.

“Thank you so much, my dear Lady Yorkleigh. I
am not entirely certain I know what you mean, but no doubt you are
correct in surmising that it will be sufficient to get my mother to
change her mind on considering a possible match between us.” Rose
was quite proud of how that had come out. She wondered briefly if
she should rise to take her leave. She wasn't left wondering for
long as Lady Yorkleigh began to speak once more.

“I would not normally discuss this next bit
with a regular debutante. However, you seem to be a wise young
woman, and since your father is a diplomat, I would expect you
should have a little more knowledge of the ways of the world than
some.”

Rose felt as though she had frozen in place,
wondering how close to the truth the countess was about to get. As
she was looking expectantly at her, Rose forced the corners of her
mouth to lift into what she hoped looked like a close approximation
of a smile and nodded her head, praying she did not look like a
simpleton. It must have passed muster, as Lady Yorkleigh
continued.

“I believe some of the reason for your late
debut is because you and your mother accompanied your father to
Vienna for his politics,” Lady Yorkleigh again looked at her
closely, so Rose hastened to reply.

“That is correct, my lady. It was a lovely
time. I do not regret going with him for a minute, even though it
means I am rather older than the other young ladies making their
curtsy to Society.”

“Youth is not necessarily the asset everyone
purports it to be, my dear. You are absolutely perfect the way you
are and shall make a brilliant match, I am certain of it.”

Now Rose's smile was much more genuine as she
appreciated the lady's words. “Thank you for that kindness, my
lady.”

“I am not being kind, I am merely speaking
the truth. Now, let me get on with my tale. Your maid will be
nodding off in the foyer.” Rose smiled but did not interrupt as she
was now on tenterhooks to hear the rest that Lady Yorkleigh had to
say. “Did you meet that scoundrel, Tallyrand, while you were in
Vienna?” At Rose's nod, she continued. “His argument is that he
always has France's interests at heart, and one cannot fault him
for doing what he considers his patriotic duty, I suppose, but he
is just so conniving and crooked while he is doing it. Broderick is
a close associate of his. While one can excuse Tallyrand by
considering his motivations, Broderick is another matter
altogether. His motivations are always what is best for Broderick,
not anyone else, and certainly not the nation. It concerns me to
see him actively running about amongst the
ton
once more. I
fear what he might be getting up to. You see, he is a terribly
smart man and plays upon other people's weaknesses. For example,
Prinny has a weakness for anything to do with Bonny Prince Charlie,
of the Stuart dynasty. This can be exploited, and I have heard
Broderick has been making attempts to do so. As well, his
relationship with Tallyrand is highly suspicious. They should be on
opposite sides as Tallyrand is trying to dispute with some of
England's claims for territory. These were settled to a certain
extent in Vienna, but I have heard that those boundaries are
currently being disputed still.”

Rose gazed at her hostess, feeling rather
awed. She had no reply for the lady's words but knew there was
quite likely a high level of truth in them. She had a lot of
information to take to Wrentham at their next meeting, but she was
unsure if he would be in a position to be able to help her with it.
Rose wondered if she should confide in the countess about their
situation, but she resolved to ask the duke about it first. Since
he was her primary co-conspirator she owed him her primary loyalty
at the moment, but her utmost concern lay with finding out what
Broderick was up to and if he was trying to harm their country. If
he was, all other allegiances would have to take second place to
making sure he was stopped.

Realizing she was dithering and that
something needed to be said, Rose remembered that her pretense for
speaking of these things with the countess was her mother's strange
words so she marshaled her thoughts and came up with something to
say, she only hoped it made sense. “My lady, I so appreciate your
confidences. You are quite correct, as a diplomat's daughter I am
quite well aware of the ramifications of what you have just told
me. I will not betray your confidences to my mother, although I do
trust her discretion, but I do not think it will be necessary.
These things just give me added incentive to ensure my mother's
ideas do not come to fruition.”

“That is very well, my dear girl.” As Rose
stood to take her leave, the countess quickly spoke up. “Oh, my
dear, do not say you have to go as yet. We have not had any
pleasant conversation. I know you came here with the express
purpose of learning how to avoid the knight and all that, but
surely you could stay and visit a wee bit longer.”

Rose was gratified by the older woman's
invitation and sank back down onto the settee. Glancing around at
the well-appointed receiving room, she said the first thing that
popped into her head. “I absolutely adore the décor in this room.
Did you have it done recently, my lady? I wish my parents would
consent to make some changes at our home, but they will not even
consider the idea.”

Lady Yorkleigh smiled widely at Rose's
compliment. “Why thank you so much for your kind words, my dear. We
had this room changed before the Season last year. I agree with you
that sometimes a freshened room is just the thing. I find it helped
change my perspective completely.”

“My family could certainly use that,” Rose
offered in a low tone. “Ever since my brother died the entire
family has become frozen. My father is going through the motions of
his work, of course. But coming to London for the Little Season is
the first original thought my mother has had. I was so hoping it
was an indication that things were about to change, but sadly I
have found my hopes dashed.”

“Oh, my dear girl, I am so sorry. I had heard
about your loss, but as we were not acquainted at the time I did
not express my condolences. It must be so hard for your parents to
lose their firstborn.”

“It is. I am sure it is wholly unnatural for
a parent to be predeceased by their child, but
their
lives
are not over. I fervently wish my parents could get out of the
doldrums they have sunken into. They have two other children that
need their attention, and who are very much alive.”

“Your mother seems to be attentive, at least
to a certain degree. She is chaperoning you about Town for the
Season,” the countess was trying to be kindly reasonable.

“Mayhap, but keep in mind the original
purpose of my visit. She
did
suggest that Sir Jason
Broderick would be a good match for me,” came Rose's dry reply.

Lady Yorkleigh could not suppress her grin.
“That cannot be argued with; it does make one wonder where her
thoughts are.” The countess paused for a moment but then continued
in an earnest tone. “I know we are still newly acquainted and I
would never presume to take the place of your mother,” she began,
while Rose burst in, “Besides the fact that you are not nearly old
enough to have the role naturally.”

“You are too kind, my dear, but as I was
saying, I would be happy to be somewhat of a surrogate for you in
these coming weeks. A young lady's debut can be a perilous,
confusing time if she does not have sound advisors. I beg you,
please feel free to stop in at any time to discuss any issue you
might care to have an experienced perspective upon.”

“That is such a kind offer, my lady, and I
promise you I
shall
take you up on it. I so appreciate your
condescension, but I fear that I shall not be able to reciprocate
in any way to demonstrate my deep appreciation.”

“No thanks are necessary, my dear. My dear,
Lord Yorkleigh and I were not blessed with any daughters and our
sons are now at Eton. I am sadly bereft, and while I enjoy
accompanying my husband to Town when he wants to take his seat in
the House, I would dearly love to be occupied in a more meaningful
manner. If I could in some way smooth the way for you, I would feel
as though I had a role to play. You would, in fact, be doing
me
a favor, rather than the other way around.”

Rose laughed at the countess' droll words.
“Now you are truly being too kind, but I shall accept your offer
nonetheless. You must be sure to tell me if I transgress or
overstep the bounds of your offer, though, my lady.”

“Very well, we have a deal,” the countess
declared before she fixed shrewd eyes upon her guest. “Now perhaps
once we have become better acquainted you will find your way clear
to tell me the real reason why you were asking about Sir
Broderick.”

Despite her best efforts, Rose was quite
certain that her surprise and chagrin were clearly displayed upon
her expressive face. She tried to brazen it out but did not want to
lie to her new friend. “My mother really did express the opinion
that he would be a good choice for me.”

“I did not think you were lying, my dear. I
merely am of the opinion that you would have been well able to come
up with reasonable arguments on your own, or rather, you would have
just ignored your mother's ridiculous suggestion.” At seeing Rose's
discomfort the countess hastened to add, “I pray you do not trouble
yourself over it, my dear girl. That is why I said that I hope in
the future you will confide in me. I do not expect it at this time.
And I do not mind telling you what I can, even without full
disclosure.”

Rose grinned at the countess. “Thank you, my
lady. I promise you that I will. And now, I really should be on my
way.”

As Rose took her leave and collected her maid
the countess accompanied her to the foyer, chattering about social
niceties and arranging a date for them to take tea the next time.
Walking down the front steps of the Yorkleighs' elegantly
attractive home, Rose could feel Mary's inquisitive eyes burning
into her back. She grinned, as she could feel the maid's
impatience. She was impressed that the other young woman managed to
hold her tongue until they reached the nearest street corner.

“Well, Miss, how did it go?” she demanded
with impatient curiosity.

“Very well, Mary, thank you for asking,” Rose
answered maddeningly, causing Mary to expel an impatient breath.
Rose could not hold onto her chuckle. “I am merely funning with
you, Mary, although it was a very good meeting. The countess was
most helpful.” Lowering her voice and glancing around, Rose
beckoned the maid closer and recounted what Lady Yorkleigh had had
to say about Broderick. At the conclusion, Mary's eyes were wide
with concern.

“What are you going to do about all of this,
Miss? Surely you're going to have to go to his lordship, your
father.”