~ Sunday May 9, 1813 ~

The knock had me bolting upright in bed. Before my eyes fully opened, I heard Alice's call.

"Rose, are you awake?"

Once the morning fog cleared, I remembered Jules passing out on the settee. But, more importantly, I remembered leaving him there. Without the benefit of my own staff to help me manage him, I really had no better choice.

I strained my eyes to focus on the settee. It stood empty. After a quick scan of the room, I found no sign of the captain. He must have woken in the night and seen himself out. With a great deal of relief, I acknowledged Alice.

"I just woke up. But you can keep me company if you wish."

The door creaked open and Alice peeped inside. "I'm sorry if I woke you. It's just that...I didn't sleep well. I'm terribly anxious."

"Come in and we'll chat."

Alice greeted me with a weary smile as she shuffled to the settee and slumped into it. I couldn't help imagining her brother doing that very thing. As I readied myself for the day, I told her everything I'd learned from Jules, which was not much. And, by the end of it, I could not tell if she had been cheered. But she thanked me for my participation on her behalf.

When it came time for breakfast, we made our way to the dining room. A number of tired looks and slouched shoulders greeted us, while servants delivered a pungent brew of coffee to those who required it. The countess gestured Alice between her and Cicily, and I took a seat opposite them. Jules had not arrived. And neither had the earl or the Duke of Norfolk. But the Duke of Devonshire was there, putting a servant to task with a special request of hot tea, raw egg, and a shot of vinegar.

I preferred my morning tea with sugar and cream, which I used as a distraction while I exchanged expectant glances with my female compatriots. When the earl arrived speaking gayly with Jules and Philip, I had to rub my eyes to be sure I was seeing things properly. Jules and my former benefactors...getting on?

"Pleasant morning to you all." The earl's spirits appeared unshakable as he addressed the table, and his guests responded in varying degrees of cheerfulness. "Before we start on our meal, I want to thank those of you who could spend the night here at the noble House of Oxford. I hope your stay proved comfortable. I feel yesterday's festivities progressed splendidly. As far as I am concerned, you can expect a wedding missive asking that you save the twenty-fifth of June to honor Albert and Alice at their forthcoming nuptials."

His gaze fell pointedly on the Duke of Devonshire, who appeared preoccupied with the strange concoction being set before him. After dumping three heaping teaspoons of sugar into the cup, he downed the entire contents in one go. I shivered as I watched. It was only when he set the cup down that he acknowledged the earl.

"I have always been a man of tradition. You know this, William," he said. "While you have always questioned tradition. Progress for the sake of progress is dangerous, and is often perpetuated by men showing off their power. When approaching new ideas and opportunities, tradition is a tested method for determining positive outcomes."

"Tradition has its place. I will agree with you there," said the earl. "The nostalgia of family rituals. The sanctity of a Sunday church service. But we also need industry and invention. We cannot stifle the great minds of our day. We are at war not only for our rights to this land, but for the betterment of our way of life."

"Save that speech for the House of Lords. We are talking about noble traditions here. More specifically, maintaining the trust of our people by marrying within our station. Even when it comes at the expense of love."

The earl's face soured, and I could see the frustration building in his wrinkled brow. I could not keep quiet. Not when a woman's voice was clearly needed.

"Your graces, if I may interject. The duke brings up a valid point. The monarchy has long held positions of power, and the citizens need to know their leaders are capable. It makes sense that breaking with tradition might upset the status quo."

The earl looked at me warily, but he offered a subtle not to proceed. The duke, unwittingly, wore a satisfied smile.

"However, what sort of message is being sent when a monarch admits their citizens are beneath them by condemning a union between a nobleman and a commoner, even when a loving relationship has been established? Being of common blood, I interpret a union based on love as reassurance that my leaders will guide their constituents more justly and thoroughly because they are fulfilled in all aspects of their lives. Why do you think a courtesan plays such a vital role in a nobleman's wellbeing?"

I glanced around the table, knowing I had silenced my audience into a shocked stupor. I had found nothing else that halted conversations quicker than mentioning my profession. I pressed on unchallenged.

"I have learned that men who can prove themselves a master in the bedroom carry that confidence with them through all their dealings and relationships. From where I stand, and given our political climate of war, I imagine Lord Kingsley's announcement that he is marrying an admiral's daughter, who he believes to be an asset to his noble station, will be well-received. Certainly, as he navigates the duties prescribed by his position, his countrymen will respect his choice to break with tradition if it will benefit the House of Oxford and, by extension, England."

The room remained quiet, drawing my attention to the sweat beading under my chemise. Had I taken my point too far? Where should I have stopped? Was breakfast ruined?

"Here. Here."

Out of my peripheral view, I saw someone raise their glass. It was Philip. While this did not surprise me, I was stunned to see the fellow beside him raising his glass; a lord whom I'd met and knew to have traveled with the Duke of Devonshire. More glasses were raised, and the earl cleared his throat.

"This is not a quorum. And we are not here to debate the propriety of this engagement. Mary and I genuinely hoped that the relations we most wished to foster would find a way to share in our happiness."

Again, he glanced at the devilish duke, who did not seem the least bit interested in speaking. Perhaps, he was feeling ill from the previous night's imbibements. With a wave, the servants obeyed the earl's directive to start the meal, and while breakfast remained mostly silent, I received an appreciative nod from both the earl and the countess.

Soon after, the Duke of Devonshire left with his friend, the lord of someplace I could not remember, and the other remaining guests followed suit. As we readied our bags and waited for our carriages to be brought around, Philip made an announcement.

"I will be staying in London for a few days, Mistress Hayes. You can expect my arrival late this evening. If you could have Tilda ready to receive me."

"Of course, your grace. Is there anything in particular I can have Clara prepare while you're with us?"

"Don't fuss. But if she has any of her sweet potato pies stored away, I would not say no to that. I must tell you, you really outdid yourself today. Your gift with words seems to be improving. I daresay, you had James at a loss for a reasonable argument, which only his wife was able to do."

"I sincerely hope I have not made matters worse by it."

The earl shook his head as he walked over and snatched my hand, giving it a tender pat. "You most certainly did not. James is rarely challenged, which is why he has become so insufferable. Whatever you said to him out in the stable had him whistling a different tune when he returned last evening. I noticed it quite plainly."

"Do not credit me, your grace. Alice did most of the talking."

He smiled and turned to snatch Alice's hand, giving her the same treatment. "Alice, dear. You are going to fit right in here at the House of Oxford. I want you to go home and promise me you will not worry about that old buzzard. I am sure the countess and Cicily will be sharing plenty of missives with you over the coming weeks."

"Thank you, your grace. I promise."

For most of our journey home, Jules appeared lost in thought. It could have been due to any number of things; my candid speech at breakfast, something that was said to him by a member of nobility, or perhaps he was in need of a hangover remedy. Alice and I had no trouble filling the time with talk of her wedding, and we had nearly managed all aspects of the event when the coach arrived at the Thompson residence.

The troubling bit came when Jules decided to take a coach straight to Chatham rather than see me to my home. He cited the need to arrive before the hour grew too late and his neglect of the work assigned to him. While our farewell was cordial, and he claimed he would miss me, I could not help thinking there was something serious weighing on his mind.

Once I arrived home, I settled in behind my writing desk and penned him a letter to this effect, asking that he share what was on his mind and reminding him that the success or failure of a marriage hinged on communication.

While I still had my wits, I reviewed a number of missives that needed tending. Mister Merriweather had responded with feedback to my story. While I had done well bringing my setting and characters to life, the sexual exploits needed enhancing. He recommended that I try again, and if I became embarrassed by the descriptions, I was where I needed to be.

Another missive had arrived from the residence of Odette Ziani. She wished to thank me for introducing her to Mister Morrisey and to offer a report. While they encountered a few bumps during their first engagement, she looked forward to exploring his particular interests and peculiarities.

She also wished to invite me to the Algerian Embassy as her guest for a celebration of Eid al-Fitr in late May. I was encouraged to wear my best dress and to embellish it with the lovely pendant I'd worn to her home. Apparently, the ambassador was impressed by fine jewelry. I had never been invited to an embassy of any kind, so my decision to attend came easily.

After supper, I enjoyed a long soak in the bath. The intent was to seek relaxation, but my mind became even more active with thoughts of my uncertain future. I had to remind myself several times that I had taken more difficult paths than the one I now found myself on – the one that included a husband.

As I prepared for bed, the duke's carriage arrived, and when I heard his voice downstairs, I could not help stepping onto the landing to greet him.

"Welcome home, you grace. I hope your journey was not terribly daunting."

He chuckled as he looked up at me standing in my nightdress. "Tilda enquired the very same thing. I slept for most of it, so the time passed quickly. I see you are ready to retire. But I wonder if you would not mind joining me in the study for a game of Backgammon. The hour is not terribly late."

I knew the duke considered me his most proficient opponent when it came to board games, and I hated to disappoint him. "I would not mind a game. Let me change into something more suitable."

"You do not have to change on my account. Remember, I have seen you in less." He winked and I attempted to look affronted, but we both knew I could not pull it off.

Tilda was just pouring out two glasses of port when I entered the duke's study. I only used the room when I needed fresh reading material or when the duke extended his visits. Seeing that he had already prepared the game, I sat opposite him. But I could not help noticing a change in the usual mood. Tonight, it felt more serious. More formal.

"How did you and Jules enjoy the dinner party this weekend?" He asked this as he rolled the dice onto the board.

While I thought the answer should have been obvious, I would never presume to know his objectives. "I cannot speak for Jules, but I felt it could have gone better."

He chuckled into his chest as he moved his draughts. "I believe most of the guests in attendance would agree with you. How is Alice faring?"

"She seemed more hopeful when we arrived back in London. I was grateful for the earl and countess. They did their best to quell her concerns."

"They're both quite progressive. And I see them supporting Alice and Albert through to the end. But there may be a less obvious reason they are promoting this engagement so fervently." He watched for my reaction as I threw the dice. The duke was not beyond using mind games to improve his odds at winning. I moved my draughts before engaging him.

"I expect you're going to tell me what this reason is?"

"Why do you think I asked you to join me in my study?" He smirked behind his glass of port as he took a swallow. "Frankly, I thought you might have deduced it for yourself. Even your captain seems clever enough to have an inkling."

He took his time at the board as he held me in suspense. The scoundrel. But I let him have his fun, waiting patiently as I sipped port.

"What would you say if I told you the earl was eager to align the House of Oxford with the Thompsons so he might secure a relationship with you?"

I snorted, nearly upsetting my glass as I set it on the table. "I would say you are reaching."

"And why is that? It is clear you and Alice are dear friends. And that is not likely to change irrespective of what the future holds for you and Jules."

What rubbish. I felt certain the duke only intended to distract me from the game with speculations. I made him wait until I had finished my turn before appeasing him. "There is no advantage for the earl either way. He is a nobleman. He can call on me anytime he wishes, whether I am a courtesan or a married woman."

"Ah, but he will have more reason to call on you should their families align. I know William very well. He has a way of getting under your skin. He is like the persistent merchant who will not relent until he has convinced you that his wares are better than his competition. The tactic has served him well in the House of Lords."

He played through while I shook my head. I had heard a lot of codswallop in my day, but not from the duke. He was getting sloppy.

"I am sorry, your grace. I just don't see it."

He looked up from the board. "You will. And my advice to you is to strategize your moves now. As with Backgammon, the earl is playing a holding game. He realizes he is behind, so he is placing an anchor on his opponent's side to secure an advantage. I would not be surprised if the countess is of the same mindset. From what I have gleaned, her demeanor improved not long after the earl secured you as his courtesan. I expect she sees you as a panacea to her plight as well."

Indeed?

I took my glass in hand again, reclining in my chair to savor a long drink. A moment ago, I was ready to cry foul. But he had to mention the countess, and I could not refute his point – not after she had compelled me to resume my duties as courtesan. Was she and the earl allied on that front?

"I do not know what to say...except that I believe you may be right."

The duke smiled but it was not cruel or clever. He was a friend, and I realized now that he was hoping to see me through this trial. "Was it the Backgammon metaphor that did it? I thought you were going to accuse me of using gossip to throw you off your game."

"I was very close to it. But you mentioned the countess and how her manner had improved. In truth, she made this same point to me."

"Oh? Please, share."

We had abandoned our game and were now drinking deeply from our glasses. "In no uncertain terms, the countess made it clear that she wishes me to consider returning to my courtesan duties and taking her husband back."

"I see. That certainly corroborates the report I heard. A pointed request from nobility is impossible to ignore. I may not always act like a noble, but I know what needs to be done to get my way."

"I am quite aware."

"So, what are you going to do, Rose?"

I inhaled the sharp, fermented scent wafting from my glass, then I exhaled over it. "I am going to consider it."