Free The Duke Conspiracy by Astraea Press

not that I did not think you
could handle it, Your Grace,” she began before pausing. “I am sure
you could handle any situation you might face, Your Grace,” Rose
continued, seemingly thinking aloud. “I just remembered how you
hated artifice and subterfuge so I thought you might not even
realize such plots might be afoot. I will admit to you that I had
not realized that they could be commonplace. Once again, I must
apologize if I have inconvenienced you by arranging to tell you
about it. I thought it was a terribly important thing. You are a
duke now. Someone plotting against you is bigger than just you, if
you don't mind my saying so. You are not just another rich
nobleman; being a duke brings this into a matter involving the
government, would you not agree?”
    Now his gaze sharpened as he searched her
eyes. “Are there details you are leaving out about this, Rosie? Did
they say anything about the government?”
    “No, no,” she protested, “I have told you
everything I heard. I truly thought you would want to know, Your
Grace.”
    “Would you stop calling me Your Grace?” he
blurted out.
    “But you are a duke now.” She was aghast.
    “But you have known me all your life.”
    Rose shrugged again. “It is not as though we
are going to be having many conversations after this anyway. It
would never do for me to become overly familiar with you.”
    “Are you trying to tell me that you are just
going to throw this problem into my lap and leave it there?”
    “Whatever do you mean?” Rose eyed him,
confused.
    “You arranged to meet me to tell me about
this urgent problem. Surely you must have some ideas about how to
solve it.”
    “Not particularly, Your Grace. We do not
associate together, how could I possibly help you to solve this
problem? I arranged this meeting to give you the necessary
information. What you do with it is up to you.”
    “Even if it is for the good of your
country?”
    Now Rose was truly divided. Inadvertently the
duke had touched on the one thing that was sure to gain her
cooperation. Her desperate wish to do something more with her life,
something meaningful, in a grander way than just giving birth to
the next heir to someone's estate. She was sorely tempted to take
the duke up on his offer. Not that she could trust him, of
course.
    She still had no idea what to do about Sir
Broderick's schemes in the grander scale. She had no idea who she
could confide in. Never would she tell Alex about it, but if she
remained involved in it with him to a certain extent perhaps she
could gain more information that she would then be able to share
with her father. Still on the fence, she asked some questions of
her own.
    “Did you have anything in particular in mind?
I really did not apply myself to coming up with a plan. It was hard
enough trying to figure out how I could meet you in order to tell
you about it.”
    “And I assure you I do appreciate your
efforts. I understand you were motivated by loyalty to your country
as well as to our old friendship. But do you think that loyalty
could help you see your way clear to helping me?”
    “Perhaps,” was all that she would allow until
she got more information.
    The two studied each other for a moment, both
deep in thought. It was as though they both came up with the idea
at the same time.
    “Lady Anne,” they both blurted out before
bursting into laughter.
    “Exactly,” Alex approved as he got his mirth
under control. “Have you met her?”
    “Not yet. What can you tell me about
her?”
    “Not much I'm afraid. That was why I was
rather surprised by your words. I had no idea she had it in her to
try to entrap me, nor did I think she had the inclination. We have
exchanged a few words here and there last Season. I partnered her
in a couple dances. That is about it.”
    “I wonder how she thought she was going to be
able to entrap you,” Rose mused. “I did hear that you danced with
her a few nights ago.”
    “I danced with a number of girls