Page 99 of Cocky August Rake

Silence fell in the room, and within moments, Sedgewick and the men accompanying him had retreated through the front door.

And yet Reginald’s attention had returned to the room, sweeping his gaze over every shadow and corner.

No Rose.

“Where is Miss Darling?”

A few of the women exchanged glances, and when no one answered, his pulse quickened.

Then Reginald saw Mrs. Smith, the woman who’d once greeted him with wary courtesy. Presently, she was standing on the stairs, looking down on him with open fury.

“And why should she wish to see you?” she demanded. “With all your broken promises.”

Reginald stilled. “What does that mean?”

“It means we kept our part of the bargain.” Mrs. Smith’s voice sharpened. “For a month, we showed you what makes this house different. Rose even gave up her clients, spent weeks trying to make you understand what The Domus means to us.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“And all the while, you never intended to reconsider a blasted thing.”

“That is not what happened.”

“Isn’t it?” Mrs. Smith came down a step. “You pretended to listen. You let us hope. And then you decided you knew better anyway.”

Was that how Rose saw him?

“I was trying to provide for everyone here.”

“No. You were trying to ease your conscience.” The older woman’s laugh held no humor. “Doing just enough to keep the duke from taking it all back.”

Reginald’s jaw tightened. She was only partially right. Still, a flicker of guilt cut through him.

His conscience had, in fact, been eating at him from the moment he took possession of this place. For an entire month, he had tried to do right by Harry, by Rose, and by every good person whose future now rested in his hands. Somehow, every choice was a betrayal.

Mrs. Smith’s accusation had found its mark.

“I wasn’t surprised that you took what Rose offered,” Nell continued, “I was, however, surprised you still meant to destroy her home.”

“What Rose offered?” he repeated, the words rougher than he intended.

For one sickening moment, doubt pinched in.

Rose had come last night because she wanted him. Hadn’t she?

“Yes, offered.” The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think she would have gone to your ship if I hadn’t sent her?”

Reginald stopped breathing. Rose came to the ship because she’d wanted to. Because she’d wanted him.

“Why would you say that?”

Mrs. Smith gave a bitter laugh. “Because you never understood.” She folded her arms. “I thought perhaps, if you spent one night with a woman like Rose—without having to promise a lifetime—that you might finally understand why places like The Domus exist.”

His stomach tightened.

Mrs. Smith mistook his silence for agreement.

“And I was right, wasn’t I? Rose showed you that a man may find pleasure without offering marriage, children, or a place in his home. That you could take what comfort she gave you and still simply sail away. But it didn’t do a lick of good, did it. You’re still shutting us down.”