Page 14 of Three Scandals for the Wild Duke

“Indeed,” she agreed.

She was good company. George had to admit that. The afternoon was uneventful, and more pleasant than he’d anticipated. When they returned to the manor, Alexander alighted before him and helped Miss Lovell down from the carriage.

“It’s been a pleasant afternoon, Miss Lovell,” Firman said as he kissed her knuckles. And she blushed—shamelessly too, George thought to himself, observing the scene with a mix of amusement and something he couldn’t quite place.

“I should show you some of my works, Miss Lovell,” George suddenly said. If the admiration he had observed about her earlier was genuine, this was bound to draw her attention away from Firman, he knew. And it worked.

“Oh, the paintings!” Her eyes lit up, reflecting a spark of genuine interest.

“You told her about the paintings?” Alex inquired, a slight furrow forming between his brows.

“She found out,” George nodded simply, offering no further explanation.

“Oh, I should love a glimpse of them, Your Grace,” she responded happily.

And for the first time, her demeanor was genuine. There was no defiance, no spite, no pride, or challenge about her whatsoever. Just pure earnest curiosity and anticipation. He found this just as appealing, for some reason, her enthusiasm drawing him in a way he hadn’t expected.

The Baroness walked past them then, and when her gaze met her daughter’s, she gave her the same look of disapprobation he’d seen earlier. The expression was brief but loaded, full of silent communication that Emma clearly understood.

Miss Lovell quickly averted her gaze, that anxiety returning about her once more. Strange.

CHAPTER 7

Antoinetta was helping Emma change out of her dress after returning to the manor when the bedchamber door practically burst open and her mother walked in. The woman did not look pleased. Emma had tried to avoid her, but she hadn’t been very successful. And on the few occasions of their meeting, her mother had made sure to show her displeasure. Emma assumed it was to do with the dress, for she couldn’t think of anything else she might have done wrong.

“Simple instructions,” Caroline began, her voice sharp and cold. “All you had to do was look pretty for the Earl. But instead, you choose to alter your frock and take the company of that Duke!” She added, her tone thick with accusation.

“I do not see anything wrong with my actions, mother,” Emma said in a cool voice. She refused to succumb to her mother’s intimidation.

“And you,” the Baroness spat as she swiveled to Antoinetta. “You will pay for disregarding my instructions as well,” she added harshly.

Antoinetta colored up as she gave a quick perfunctory curtsy and quickly exited the room. Emma felt horrible for getting her lady’s maid in trouble now.

“Antoinetta was only following my instructions, mother. She did nothing wrong,” Emma defended, her voice steady yet filled with regret for the position she had put her friend in.

“Do you know what the ladies are already saying?” Her mother ignored her and continued, pacing the room with growing agitation. “They’re already debating that the Earl and the Duke are competing for your attention and affections,” she trudged on.

“How is that supposed to look on your chances with the Earl? Do you think he would want to be rumored to be in competition for a lady with another man? He could so easily give you up then,” she threw exasperated hands in the air.

“First of all, Mother, the Earl has no special interests in me,” Emma began calmly, trying to insert some reason into the conversation.

“Maybe not yet. But you must change that,” her mother interjected, cutting her off.

“And second,” Emma ignored the interruption and continued, “I think I deserve better than a man who would so easily give me up. I am not some object to be fancied and disregarded,” she added, her voice firm and resolute.

“And that is precisely what that Duke would do to you. He may fancy you now, but once he’s bored, he will just as easily let go,” her mother countered sharply.

“You don’t know that,” Emma returned, her defiance growing.

“Have you been deaf all this while, child? Do you not know his reputation?” Caroline said, her voice rising in frustration.

“I know therumorsgoing about,” Emma responded, her tone less certain now. And she didn’t even know why she was suddenly defending the Duke. Perhaps it stemmed from the desire to refuse her mother’s control and stand up for herself.

She needed to find a husband, yes. But she refused to be a puppet any longer.

“And how do you think this looks on our family image? Our only daughter, dallying with two gentlemen…” Her mother’s voice was sharp, filled with disappointment and accusation.

And since when did she care about modesty too? Emma wondered. Her parents had more regard for their image than they’d ever have for their own child. She swallowed an uncomfortable lump which rose to her throat.

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