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“No, not strange at all,” her mother said, patting Marianne’s hand. “You deserve to love someone worthy and who will love you with all of themselves.”

“Do you think Papa would have liked him, Mother?”

“I am sure he would have approved, as I do. I would not let just anyone love my girl.” She embraced Marianne.

Rose’s hand went over her heart. She was happy for her friend, and Lord Dunstan did seem nice enough.

“Now your brother can stop shooing away all your suitors,” the dowager said as she picked up her teacup.

“I suspected, but I did not think he would stoop so low. They were all afraid of him; I could see it in their eyes and their awkward manners when he was in the room. To a degree, Dunstan was the same at first.”

“I am sure he was just looking out for you,” Rose put in. Why she was defending his actions, she was not sure.

“More like he was looking out for his own interests,” Marianne said. “Well, he will be happy at least that he will not have to chaperone at many more balls. Once I am married, he can stay in his office forever as far as I am concerned.”

“Marianne!” her mother admonished. “I understand that what he did may be wrong, but I am sure it came from a place of love for you.”

“He does not always do things out of love, Mother. He does them because they serve him.”

Rose could not hold her tongue. “I do not think that is true. Look what he has done for me.”

Marianne looked at her with a pitying look.

“How could helping me serve him? What could he get out of it?” Rose asked.

Marianne studied Rose for a moment. “Do you really want me to say? In front of everyone?”

Rose gasped. The woman before her was not Marianne. Her friend would not put her in such a position. Why had she not said anything to her if she disapproved? Why would she say such a thing in front of everyone?

Rose looked around at the faces of the others as they looked at her. How could she defend her actions? She had let the duke kiss her, but it had never been in the form of payment and, worse, it seemed as though Marianne suspected she had lain with her brother. It was in that accusing look in her eyes. Rose stood and handed the baby back to Lucinda. She did not say a thing but simply walked out of the room. All her nightmares had come to light. Now she had lost her friend, all because she gave in to the Duke of Warrington.

Once in the hall, she asked for her coat. Marianne was soon beside her.

“I’m sorry, Rose. I was angry. I did not mean to take it out on you.”

“It does not matter now. They will all be thinking the worst. I will be gone before you get back. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You do not need to go.”

She gave a sarcastic little laugh. “I think I do.”

“I will tell them that it is not true.”

“But it is true. I have kissed your brother, and he has kissed me, and I know he has no intention of marrying me.” She hated that her voice was pitched higher than normal at the end.

Marianne said, “He is a cad. He obviously took advantage of you.”

“He did not. I need him. For this court case. I cannot do it alone. So, I probably took advantage of him. Of his title. Of his sense of duty, but I never laid with him.”

“We said we would stand by you, and we will. Please do not leave Warrington House.”

“How can I stay? I will go to the Clarendon Hotel on Bond Street.”

“This is my fault. I should have confronted you about this in private.”

“Yes. You should have.”

Marianne nodded in defeat. “At least go in our carriage so I know you will be safe.”