Page 17 of A Duke for Stealing (The Devil’s Masquerade #4)

CHAPTER NINE

“ R ose, darling, we have missed you!” Amelia gushed, pulling Rose into her arms.

“Good to see you, old friend,” Ophelia said warmly, patting her shoulder.

“How are you?” Theo asked.

“Tell us everything,” Seraphina encouraged.

It had been two long weeks since Rose had seen her friends, and as they all surrounded her, she realized that despite how busy she’d been, she had missed them all very much.

She hugged them all tightly, even Ophelia, who was not prone to such affections.

Her body had felt strangely lonely since she’d left Everett’s company last night, and it was as if she was hugging her friends in an attempt to rid herself of it. It did not work.

“Must we talk of me first?” Rose asked, trying to push the memories of last night and the feelings it left her with away.

“We are here for you, darling, so yes, we must,” Theo replied.

They had all come together to pick her up and take her to London, where she would, as Everett commanded, have a new dress made to represent her rise to Duchess.

She did not particularly like the way he’d made such a demand, but she did agree that a new dress was warranted, and an opportunity to see her friends was much appreciated.

“Please,” Amelia encouraged once they were tucked into the carriage and heading for London, “Tell us how you are faring. Are you doing well?”

“Well enough, I suppose,” Rose replied.

“You can be honest with us,” Amelia insisted, a touch of worry in her eyes. “I recall how strange it felt to be married to Dominic. We knew another yes, but we did not know one another. In many ways, we were strangers.”

Rose smiled, appreciating her friend’s worry.

“It is the same with Everett, I suppose,” she admitted. “At times, we find another getting close. Then one annoys the other, and we are bickering again.”

“And pray tell, what does this bickering consist of? Seraphina asked.

“His nieces,” Rose began, then frowned. “Though, I suppose we have stopped arguing about that.”

“What else?” Seraphine asked.

Rose opened her mouth, then closed it. In truth, she could not think of another reason they bickered.

“I do not know,” she confessed, “But he frustrates me either way. Especially when he is in close proximity.”

Theo giggled.

“It seems as if you are struggling to come up with a reason to explain this frustration,” she said, “Perhaps he does not frustrate you as much as you think.”

“Oh,” Rose said with a dry laugh, “He certainly does. Every time he is around, my skin itches.”

“Itches?” Theo asked, “Or tingles?”

“Does it matter?” Rose asked.

“Yes,” Theo, Seraphina, and Amelia answered in unison.

Their intense stares made Rose blush, and she looked to Ophelia for help.

“Ignore them,” Ophelia said, taking her side, “These three are simply love-addled. If he makes your skin itch, that is that.”

Rose gave a positive nod, thankful that at least one friend was taking her side. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if the others were right. Was there a difference between an itch and a tingle? And if so, which sensation had Everett stirred within her?

“Pray, let us speak of anything else,” Rose pleaded. “What is the newest gossip?”

To her relief, her friends quickly dropped the subject and filled her in on the talk of London. For a moment, she was blissfully distracted by the gossip, but she felt her heart stutter again as the topic of the Devil’s Masquerade was brought up, as was Everett’s name.

“Everett? You think Everett is behind the Devil’s Masquerade?” Rose asked.

“Oh, no, not us,” Amelia immediately replied. At the same time, Seraphina and Theo shook their head. Ophelia raised a single brow, but made no indication of her thought.

“It is just gossip,” Theo said, as if trying to assure Rose. “It is not as if you have seen any proof of such since living with him…have you?”

“No,” Rose said quickly.

She then looked down at her hands and began to fidget; no longer wanting to talk at all.

Could it be possible? Could Everett be the mastermind behind the city’s most scintillating parties?

Everett was the most rakish man she knew, and the largest proponent of secret affairs.

The only reason she was not certain it was him was that, despite all the stories Amelia and Theo had told about their time there, they had not once mentioned spotting Everett there.

Still, she understood that masks were to be worn at such events, and what if Everett was just better at hiding who he was more than everyone else?

By the time they arrived at the Modiste, Rose was not only put off from speaking of gossip, but put off from shopping as well. Especially since to do so would be to please her new husband. A man she now trusted even less than she had before.

“So what shall we have designed?” Amelia asked, walking through the rows of bright fabrics. “Something bold, to be sure. Something that signifies your new rise.”

“You four go on,” Rose replied, keeping her eyes to the floor. “I have decided that I will not be shopping today.”

All of her friends turned to look at her with a questioning glance.

“It is just another ball,” she said with a shrug. “I am sure I have something that will suffice within my closet.”

“Rose, what is the matter?” Theo asked, taking a step toward her.

“Did we say something to upset you?” Seraphina questioned.

It was not their words that upset her, but her own thoughts. Still, when Rose tried to open her mouth and say such a thing, she found herself unable to state the words.

“I simply do not feel up to shopping today,” she said instead.

Her friends, even Ophelia, were looking on at her with worry when the Modiste came out with a cheery smile.

“Ah! My favorite customers!” Mrs. Tate, the Modiste, greeted happily. “It has been too long since I have seen you all in my shop! And I hear congratulations are in order for the new Duchess of Stapleton!”

Rose forced a smile and thanked Mrs. Tate for her warm wishes.

“I received the specifications for your new gown this morning,” Mrs. Tate added, waving them all toward the back. “I just finished putting the pieces together. Would you like to try it on while your friends shop for their fabrics?”

Rose looked on at Mrs. Tate in confusion, then at her friends. They only answered with equally confused looks and shrugs.

“Apologies. What specifications do you speak of?” She asked.

“For your new gown!” Mrs. Tate replied excitedly. “It was quite different from your usual modest taste, but I believe it will be a beautiful piece. Come back, if you please. I cannot wait to see it on you!”

“Mrs. Tate,” Rose began, taking a step toward the modiste, “I did not send any specifications this morning. In fact, I have decided against a new gown altogether.”

“You did not,” Mrs. Tate agreed, glancing back at her, “But your husband certainly did. Along with strict instructions that I was not to allow you to leave empty-handed. If you do not like this gown, I am to make another for you.”

Rose’s mood darkened as she heard this. Must Everett always have a hand in her choices?

"I have some premade day gowns and undergarments ready for you to leave with as well,” Mrs. Tate went on, “His Grace mentioned that you are updating your entire wardrobe? Something about the fabric making you itchy?”

Rose felt as if her cheeks were truly on fire as a sudden heat flushed through them.

“You are very itchy lately,” Ophelia murmured, giving her a curious look.

Rose frowned deeply, wishing she could disappear.

“It really is not an issue,” she grit out.

“Come, come,” Mrs. Tate urged, beckoning them toward the back of her shop, “It would be an honor if you would simply take a look at the ball gown I have begun to design for you. If you truly do not prefer it, I shall be happy to tear it down and start anew.”

Though still reluctant, Rose felt herself moving toward the modiste, and she and her friends continued to follow Mrs. Tate to the dressing room.

When they saw the gown on the bust, they all gasped.

Even Rose. She had wanted to hate whatever design Everett had sent.

She truly did. Now, as she looked at the gown with nothing but awe, her frustration for Everett only grew.

Must he be so good at everything???

“Oh, Rose,” Seraphina breathed, “You must try it on.”

“I would love this design as well,” Amelia stated, “But perhaps in deep purple instead of pink?”

“Oh, me as well, please,” Theo added, “But in an emerald green.”

“It is rather gorgeous, Rose,” Ophelia said, even though she sounded begrudged to admit it.

Rose looked longingly at the gown. It was indeed the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen.

The deep pink silk reminded her of gooseberry jam, vibrant and warm.

It featured a corseted waist and short, off-the-shoulder sleeves that dipped down into a V-shaped neckline.

What truly set it apart, though, was the white floral, lace cut into a diamond shape that started just under the breasts and ended at the waist, just above the flared out skirts.

“Now this will be with silver thread when it is finished, not white,” the modiste explained as she pointed to the lace,” and there will be a silver lace trim at the edges of the skirts and the sleeves as well. Shall we try it on?”

“No,” Rose said, as her friends, save for Ophelia, all said “Yes!”

“Oh, you must try it on, Rose!” Seraphina urged. “It is so very beautiful!”

Rose threw her a warning look, and Seraphina immediately pressed her lips shut. She then looked back at the gown, wishing more than anything that she could find something to hate about it.

“You heard Mrs. Tate,” Amelia said, her tone gentle yet insistent, “Everett is not going to allow you to leave here empty-handed.”

“And she already put so much lovely work into the design,” Theo added.

Rose took another long look at the gown. It truly was a masterpiece, or would be when it was finished.

“Very well,” she begrudgingly agreed.