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He’d endure a few balls for that.
    â€œMake certain your calendar is cleared.”
    He winced, not liking the sound of that.
    She continued, “Everyone needs to see you there like a proud papa—­”
    â€œI’m not her father.”
    Aunt Peregrine shrugged her thin shoulders. “Very well, then, a doting brother.”
    â€œNor am I her brother,” he said tightly, his jaw aching with sudden tension.
    â€œIt might help if you behave as though you can abide the girl,” Aurelia pointed out.
    He forced his jaw to relax. “Of course I can abide her.” It was her mother he despised. He simply wanted no contact with either one of them, but he wouldn’t dwell on that. This was the situation he found himself in and he would suffer it. “You have carte blanche to do what you must to see her wed as soon as possible.”
    Then he would have his life back.
    â€œCarte blanche?” Aurelia tsked. “Two little words you should think about carefully before saying them to Mama.”
    Aunt Peregrine’s eyes fairly glazed. Will kept his mother on a fairly strict allowance, claiming it necessary. Dec knew his uncle had left them with little other than the entailed properties. Will had mentioned on more than one occasion that he would have to wed an heiress sooner rather than later. Aurelia’s dowry was woefully insubstantial, doubtlessly explaining why she remained on the shelf. That and her sharp tongue.
    â€œLadies.” He rose. “I think everything is well in hand. I’ve an errand.” He was meeting with his solicitor today over another matter, but now it was just as well, considering he would have to make arrangements for a dowry for Rosalie.
    â€œI trust you will reintroduce us to Rosalie before you scurry off,” his aunt said. “It’s been years since we last clapped eyes on the girl.”
    â€œYou’re family, Aunt. You don’t need me here to become better acquainted.”
    She started to protest, but he said his farewells and made a hasty retreat.

 
    Chapter 5
    R osalie woke slowly, stretching languidly. She felt delicious . . . the bedding was positively the most luxurious thing to ever touch her skin. She had been too weary the night before to even dig through her valise for her nightgown. She had merely stripped down to her shift and climbed into the vast bed.
    She must have slept late. Sunlight poured into the room through the parted damask drapes. She blinked up at the canopy overhead as she replayed the events of the night before.
    She had seen Dec. He had been cold and harsh and uncompromising.
    And even more beautiful than memory served.
    She sighed and dropped her hands to her stomach. It was such a disappointment to see that he had grown into such a beast. Clearly, he loathed his connection to her. He was probably embarrassed. She was without rank or standing in Society. She didn’t possess money or even clothes that qualified her to rub elbows with him.
    His words echoed through her head. Stay out of each other’s way . Indeed. She would quite gladly stay out of his way.
    â€œWell, you’re not so hopeless. Not hopeless at all. I see we have much to work with despite that shocking hair.”
    Rosalie squeaked at the sound of the voice and yanked the counterpane to her chest, popping upright in bed.
    Her gaze landed on a well-­dressed lady holding an absurdly fat cat in her arms. The stranger approached the bed, scrutinizing her carefully as she stroked the animal in her arms.
    â€œWho are you?” Rosalie demanded, her fingers tightening around the bedding, quite certain good manners weren’t necessary when one was confronted in a state of dishabille in her bedchamber.
    â€œYou don’t remember me? I’m Lady Merlton. Declan’s aunt. He sent for me.”
    Staring at Lady Merlton, she vaguely recalled her now. Mostly Rosalie recalled that her mother had not liked her.