When the Earl of Rockford needed anyone’s advice, blast it, he would ask for it! Who did Hysmith think he was, anyway? His title was higher, he was older, he was a respected member of Parliament, and he had been, it was said, a faithful husband and a good father. So? So he was right. Rockford knew there was talk of his wife around the clubs. Once she had been seen at the opera in his box, the town bucks had been quick to speculate about the latest jewel, and they were not speaking of the Rothmore sapphires she wore, either. His absence did leave Alissa open to conjecture and her reputation subject to slander. His sister’s presence fueled the gossip. His continued relationship with Princess Helga fanned the flames. Rockford hated to admit it, but the Duke of Hysmith was right. Confound it, he should have hit him harder. It was a conundrum and a quandary. No one was going to show respect for his countess until he did himself, and somehow, he found, he cared that Alissa be treated as the lady she was.
