Rosalie slipped in with the crowd of people moving into the dining rooms. Her emotions were in utter turmoil. The high of her moment with Burke was so perfectly shattered by meeting Marianne. She knew it was wrong to think of keeping Renley for herself…but for a few shining moments she let herself dream she could have everything—Burke’s love, Renley’s intimate friendship, a life of purpose here at Alcott. It was more than she ever expected or deserved.
But in the same moment she gained Burke, she lost Renley. And what of James? His cruel words rattled around in her mind, daring to shred her confidence. Worthless. Inferior. Passing fancy. Loose whore. Then he kissed her. The heat of those kisses still burned on her lips, confusing her all over again. Was Burke right? Did James want her too? Renley seemed to think James was fighting himself as much as her…
But she couldn’t think about James Corbin now. Or Renley, who she must bid adieu. She needed to survive the rest of this night. She’d stay below only long enough to see the duke’s engagement announced, then she could retire upstairs. Perhaps Burke would come find her. She could sleep in the comfort of his arms, knowing he, at least, was hers.
The main dining room typically had a table large enough to seat forty. But that table was exchanged for several smaller round tables and now nearly eighty people could squeeze in. The smaller drawing room and a parlor had been fashioned into additional dining rooms.
Rosalie quickly found her table and took a seat next to Lady Oswald. The Nashes were already seated, with the duke standing over the back of Piety’s chair. Piety looked up at him, batting her lashes. Next to her, Prudence was doing her best to smile and nod along. Rosalie helped herself to a few biscuits. A clatter and a shriek had her glancing up.
The duke dropped to one knee next to Piety’s chair. “Dearest Piety, make me the happiest man in all of England, and consent to be my wife!”
There was a collective intake of breath as all eyes turned their way.
“Yes! A thousand times yes, yes!” Piety threw her arms around his neck. He dragged her to her feet, twirling her around. The room erupted with cheers.
Rosalie’s heart thumped in her chest. She glanced first to Prudence, who was now crying into her napkin, and then Blanche, who seemed too stunned for emotion.
“Well, that’s that then,” muttered Sir Andrew, returning his attention to his soup.
The duke put Piety back on her feet and pulled a box from his pocket with a flourish. He opened it for Piety, and she squealed. She held out a hand as he took out a massive glittering ring and slipped it on her finger. The crowd clapped again.
It was then Rosalie realized the duchess was in the room. She caught Rosalie’s eye and gave her a little wink. After all, in a roundabout way, this was all Rosalie’s doing. Rosalie sighed. Life at Alcott was about to get a lot more interesting when Piety Nash took up residence.
“Come, we must celebrate!” the duke called to the room. “Everyone, be up standing! Piety, my love, come. We shall lead them all in a merry jig!”
The crowd cheered again and there was a great scraping of chairs as the happy couple led the way out of the room. Rosalie gave a wistful look at her uneaten biscuits before she got to her feet, following the Oswalds.
News spread quickly and cheers erupted all through the house as the party surged into the ballroom. The duke and Piety floated to the middle of the room, followed closely by a supremely sullen-looking James.
Rosalie found a place along the wall. Her heart fluttered as she caught sight of Burke. He was speaking quietly with the marchioness. Olivia glared at Burke like she hoped he would turn to stone. Rosalie watched as the marchioness said something through tight lips and offered out her hand. He took it in both of his, while Olivia looked away in disgust. The whole scene was…odd.
Rosalie peered about the room and realized with a jolt that Renley had caught sight of her. He was moving her way, entreating her with a look to stay put. Marianne followed close behind. Before she could decide whether and how to move away, Rosalie felt another chill. She followed the sensation to see James’ green eyes locked on her too. His expression was grave as he jutted his chin at her, as if trying to say without words that he needed to speak with her in private.
Not likely.
She couldn’t take another one-on-one session with James tonight. Not if it would include a repeat of any of his earlier sentiments. It was one thing to know all your own faults…it was quite another to have a gentleman list them out for you in order of most offensive. She looked pointedly away.
Before Renley could get any closer, the music stopped.
“My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, your attention if you please!” called the duke. “I beg your indulgence for one moment. You see, just moments ago, I asked this beautiful woman if she would make me the happiest of men and consent to be my wife.” He paused for dramatic effect as Piety glimmered like a diamond. “She said yes.”
The ballroom erupted with cheers. Rosalie glanced around to see the stricken faces of the Swindon sisters and Blanche. Only Madeline seemed unfazed by the news, smiling next to Mr. Bray and clapping with the others.
Footmen moved through the room, trying to get glasses of champagne into guests’ hands as quickly as possible. Rosalie took a flute from a passing tray. She glanced across the room to catch Burke’s eye. The intensity of his gaze warmed her as she remembered his touch, the feel of his breath against her skin.
Even from this distance she could tell his grey eyes were swirling with storms. He was furious. With her? What happened? She raised a brow, asking a silent question. His glower softened as he jerked his head in the exact same way James did moments before. He wanted her to slip out of the room. Could she get to a door without being noticed?
As soon as the duke had a glass in hand, he raised it in the air. “I call for a toast!”
All the guests raised their glasses.
“To a woman of unparalleled charm and grace, to my intended, Miss Piety Nash, the future Duchess of Norland!”
“The Future Duchess of Norland!”
Rosalie took a deep sip of the dry champagne, letting the bubbles fizzle on her tongue. Then she moved towards the closest door.
“And where is Miss Harrow? Miss…ah! Miss Harrow, come forward!”
Rosalie slid to a stop as the crowd around her parted.
The duke smiled at her, that teasing twinkle in his eye. “Our engagement would not have been possible were it not for Miss Harrow, our family’s delightful new ward.”
Rosalie stilled. First the duchess announced it to all her closest friends, now the duke had declared it to the entire county.
“To Miss Harrow!”
“Miss Harrow!” the crowd cheered.
Rosalie was mortified. What had the duchess told him? Did he know she’d called him an entertainer who must be entertained? That he was a man who craved spectacle? She was immobilized as everyone around her gave her smiles and well wishes.
Apparently, the duke wasn’t done. He waved a hand for silence. “There is one more very special announcement—”
James stepped forward to whisper something in his ear and Rosalie felt a sudden sense of foreboding. The duke waved him back, almost sloshing the champagne out of his glass. He cleared his throat. “Long before Miss Harrow joined our household, we had another foundling call Alcott home. This man is as close to me as a brother could be, except for you, James, of course,” he added.
A few people around the room chuckled, but Rosalie felt suddenly ill. What was happening and why did James look so upset?
“I am pleased to announce that, as of tonight, our dear Burke has accepted my generous offer to formally join our family.”
All around the room were whispers and gasps of surprise.
Rosalie gasped too, eyes wide, as she looked at Burke.
“Hereafter, let all of society recognize him as a Corbin of Alcott Hall!” called the duke.
“Mr. Corbin!”
“Alcott Hall!”
Rosalie’s heart raced. They could have offered him use of the name at any point in his long years here. Why change his identity now? Why tonight?
“Oh god…” she whispered, tears burning her eyes. She looked desperately at Burke, but he was blocked from view now. Her eye shot over to James, who was looking right at her. He gave a shake of his head, and her heart sank.
The duke cleared his throat again. “And as of tonight, my dear adopted brother is engaged to Lady Olivia Rutledge, eldest daughter of the Marquess of Deal.”
Surprised gasps swept through the room.
“To the future Right Honorable Baron and Baroness Margate!” he called, raising his glass aloft for a third time.
“Baron Margate!”
“The Baroness!”
Rosalie’s glass of champagne slipped through her fingers, cracking into pieces on the floor. Burke was surrounded by people pressing in to congratulate him and Olivia. They both wore plastered-on smiles that didn’t meet their eyes. When did he agree to this? Oh god…was he engaged when he came to her in the music room?
The music struck up and the floor cleared. “Come,” the duke laughed, waving a hand at Burke and Olivia. The crowd urged the other couple forward. Rosalie watched as Burke offered Olivia his hand and led her onto the floor.
This was real. It didn’t matter how it began or when he agreed. He was going through with it, and so was Olivia. The crowd clapped as the two new couples took to the floor.
Rosalie used the distraction to make her escape. She couldn’t stay in this room and watch Burke dance with a woman who would become his bride. She had one hour of happiness. One hour where she felt like he was hers and she was his and they could make their own way in the world.
It was already over. She was alone again.
She stumbled out of the ballroom, clutching at her chest as she heaved, her lungs desperate for air. Her vision was spinning. The grand gallery seemed to tilt as she did the only thing she could think to do, the only thing her body would allow. Rosalie lifted the hem of her gown, and she ran.
