“Oh,” she said, her hands coming to grip her cheeks. She was alone with a man. She had no idea what she might look like but she could only assume that it was dreadfully disheveled.
“On the settee,” he hissed.
“What?” She didn’t have time to say anything further as reached for her, swung her around and set her on the settee.
“Lie down,” his voice was somehow both a whisper and yet still commanding. Her immediate thought was that if she were lying down it would only implicate them the more but he, she had to admit, had for more experience than she, and in a matter such as this, Rose trusted him.
She trusted him. To tell her the truth, and to get her mother’s jewels. She trusted him to make her feel alive again, more alive than she had in years. And she realized, more than anything, she wanted to trust him with her heart.
The door opened and Will issued a final command, “Close your eyes.”
She snapped them shut. His hand touched her forehead and her cheeks as male voices, filled the room and then went silent.
“Bloody hell, Addington,” Lord Perrault asked. “Is everything all right?”
“Fine, I think.” Will rumbled with concern. “She’s coming to, now.”
“What happened?” Another voice rumbled. Rose thought it was His Grace, but she couldn’t be certain.
“She became overset and fainted. Would one of you retrieve her father while the other chaperones us? We wouldn’t want this damaging the lady’s reputation.”
“Of course,” Perrault cleared his throat. “I just saw him in the breakfast room. I’ll be right back. Should I also get some smelling salts?”
“Just her father,” Will answered in clipped tones.
Silence filled the room as soon as he was gone. Rose found it extremely difficult to keep still, wanting to know who was in the room and what was happening. “Does she know?”
“Yes, I just told her.” Will’s hand stayed on her head. He flipped it over to stroke the back of his fingers along her cheek.
“Did your revelation cause her to faint?”
She was nearly certain that it was the Duke of Landon’s voice.
“No. Rose, you can sit up.” She did as he bid and opened her eyes swinging them first to Will. His look was soft, somehow, tender. Then she looked to the duke.
He crossed his arms about his chest, narrowing his gaze at them. “My courtship with Tricia was not the most proper but, honestly, the two of you are skirting disaster here.”
Will stood, blocking her from the other man’s view. “When you tell the woman you wish to marry about your former life as a spy, it requires a certain amount of privacy.”
Shock rippled through her as she looked up at the back of his head. “Marriage?”
But neither man heard her as Landon returned, “Fine, but the library in the morning is not a very private place. You, of all people, should have a better sense for these things.”
“I appreciate your help, but I do not need your advice.” Will growled back.
She stood, touching Will’s back. She didn’t want to hear them now, she had her own questions. He turned his head back to her and she asked again, “Marriage?”
“Marriage?” Another voice asked from the door.
She recognized this voice all too well. Her father’s clipped tone sent a frisson of fear along her spine. He had reached the library rather quickly. Her hand fluttered to her hair, and to her disappointment, she realized that several strands had come out of her coif. “I…I…” she stuttered, having no idea what to say. She was speechless, which happened far more often than she cared to admit with Will.
“I propo
sed. But Rose has yet to accept.” Will straightened his shoulders.
“Was anyone in attendance when you made this proposal?” Her father asked as he entered every word clipped.
It had been a long time since she’d heard her father like this.