Hunting the Hero (The Wild Randalls 4)

She lost sight of them at the curve of the road. Her eyes flew to Constantine’s.

“Courage.” He kissed her hand, as he had done every time she had doubted the wisdom of acceding to her brothers’ wishes on this journey.

When the carriage drew to a halt, Leopold, Tobias, and Oliver clambered out first, hurrying up the stairs toward the women. Constantine waited a little longer before he released her hand and stepped out. Heart pounding hard, Rosemary considered ordering the carriage to take her away without him. But she’d agreed to come, on the condition that he would help her leave exactly when she wanted to go, without argument or persuasion applied to stay beyond one further hour.

She climbed from the carriage unassisted and faced the front of the abbey. Rosemary lifted her face to the façade and inspected the ducal residence. This time, the structure failed to impress. She’d seen enough of the world to overlook the trappings of wealth. What mattered most lay beneath the polished exterior.

She smiled quickly at Constantine to reassure him that she wasn’t afraid anymore and moved toward the servants, rather surprised that they were led by one face she knew well.

Eamon Murphy stepped forward and smiled through the tears in his eyes. “Welcome home, Miss Randall.”

She frowned at him. “Oh, do stop blubbering, Eamon. I haven’t had the least reason to be cross with you for the last decade. But… there is always tomorrow, I suppose.”

Eamon laughed then and the servants all twittered a little nervously.

Leopold came down a few steps, the young duke holding his hand tightly. “Your Grace, may I present my sister, Miss Rosemary Randall. Rosemary, I am so happy to introduce you to the sixth Duke of Romsey.”

Rosemary, standing on a lower step, had the perfect position to be eye to eye with the boy. She leaned close to inspect him and then looked closer again when he grinned happily. Green eyes, but his face bore no resemblance to his supposed father. That man had possessed a narrow nose and delicate chin. There was nothing delicate about this boy.

Suspicions rising, she glanced at her brother in confusion. The boy had dimples. Only their side of the family was cursed with the blasted things. In truth, the boy looked like… Leopold.

She straightened and scowled at her brother. “You might have told me.”

“Actually, I did. You’re as bad as Oliver, you know. He never listens either.” Leopold drew her to him with a laugh and hugged her. “You see. There’s nothing to fear anymore. May I introduce you to everyone else?”

When she was released, her brothers had surrounded her, forcing Constantine to the outskirts of the group.

“There’s no need,” Beth said as she barged between them and pulled Rosemary into her arms. Her grip was tight and infinitely familiar. “I’ve been waiting for my sister all my life.”

After a moment, Rosemary had to loosen Beth’s grip. “Dearest, you’re crushing me.”

“I’m just so relieved to see you back home where you belong.” Beth laughed and drew back, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Come and let me introduce you to Mercy and Blythe. They’re dying to meet you.”

Rosemary was led past her brothers and taken to two ladies standing a little apart from the rest. The elder of the pair was utterly stunning. Dark hair, brilliant green eyes like the young duke’s. Rosemary searched for signs of deception and found none in her open expression.

“Welcome to Romsey, my dear. Leopold has told me so much about you.” Even the Duchesses voice was beautiful.

Rosemary refused to curtsy. She just couldn’t. She inclined her head instead. “Your Grace.”

Constantine’s fingers threaded through hers and gripped her hand tightly.

Her Grace’s eyes brightened with merriment. “I always rather thought we’d get along and you’ve just done the one thing to make that true. Just so you know, I don’t tend to follow the rules; I’m a terribly informal duchess and possess many more unforgivable vices that society undoubtedly gossips over. Oh, and I should warn you, I’m fond of matchmaking.”

The duchess’s gaze drifted to the man holding her hand, her eyes shrewd. Rosemary was certain the woman was busily plotting to make her brother propose a marriage between them. She almost laughed. Constantine wouldn’t propose. He was waiting to be proposed to. “Then that makes you the perfect Duchess of Romsey. Did you know the old duke intended for me to marry his son, your first husband?”

Her Grace nodded. “That is what Oliver suggested to us on his return. Edwin wasn’t a cruel man, Rosemary, but I can understand you wanted to make your own choices. I admire that.”

Tobias strolled over and placed his arm about the other woman. “Rosemary, meet Blythe, formerly Lady Venables and my wife. The woman determined to reform me and the only one who might have a chance.”

“Reformation is impossible and you know it, sir.” Blythe smiled at her husband affectionately before meeting Rosemary’s gaze. “It is very good to finally meet you. I hope you will stay so we might become better acquainted.”

Rosemary made a noncommittal sound. Everyone was being so nice, so pleased to see her, and she didn’t know quite how to behave. However, Tobias’s wife appeared to be kind and she didn’t want to be at odds with her youngest brother. He’d been so hesitant with her so far. “Congratulations to you both. I hope you will both be very happy together.”

A light snow began to fall and Leopold shooed everyone inside. The king at work with his subjects. She shook her head at how everyone still listened to him. As children, his bossy tendencies had driven her to rebel against him as much as to her parents’ expectations. Even Constantine passed through the door without looking back.

Rosemary remained where she was and stared at the gaping black maw of Romsey’s open front door.

Warmth slid over her hand then and she looked up into Tobias’s face. “Is there space left for me in your affections? I tried to get to you, but they were so strong,” he said quietly.