Page 69 of Three Scandals for the Wild Duke

Is he desperate for a wife?

“My daughter is not an object to be negotiated,” Caroline said indignantly, her voice resonating with righteous anger.

“You should tell that to your husband,” the Marquess spat.

Caroline’s eyes flashed with fury. “One more insult from you, Lord Neads, and I shall have you escorted out to find your bride elsewhere,” she threatened with such confidence that one would think she was truly in charge of the house.

The Marquess had just opened his mouth to retort when the Baron finally joined them. "We shall have a word away from the women, Dewsbury," the Marquess demanded at once.

With an all but polite and friendly air, her father escorted the Marquess away to his study.

Caroline turned to Emma with an air of regret. "If that is not desperation, I do not know what is," she remarked, shaking her head.

"I must confess, I had been hoping he would step down and forfeit the marriage after the scandal," Caroline added, surprising Emma yet again with this admission.

"I had hoped the same, Mother," Emma confessed, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"Neads is desperate, and no one wants to give him their daughter. At least, not a pretty one," Caroline said, her tone filled with disdain.

"He insists on a girl with more than decent looks, you see. And all the ones available to him do not fulfill those conditions," she added, her eyes narrowing in contempt.

"Well, he will certainly need to compensate somewhere for his own looks; otherwise, I would almost feel sorry for his children," Emma said flatly.

Her mother could not help but smile at Emma's remark. "I am sorry, Emma. If only there was something I could do," she apologized once again, her demeanor growing more somber.

Emma's gaze traveled in the direction of the mantle clock. It was already noon, and George had yet to call. She wondered once again if he would ever show. If he did not, would she have to resign herself to her fate or resort to running away as Antoinetta had suggested?

The clock ticked away relentlessly. Her father remained locked in discussion with Neads, and George was nowhere to be seen. Emma began to pace the length of the drawing room, her footsteps echoing her anxiety.

"I want to believe that there is still hope, Emma," her mother said softly, watching her daughter’s restless movements.

Emma forced a small smile, though her faith wavered. "I appreciate your encouragement, Mother," she replied, though the words felt hollow.

A door suddenly opened nearby, and Emma's gaze shot up, dread gripping her heart once more. This was it. Her father had finally sealed her fate. And George would never show up.

Instead of her father’s study door, as she had feared, she saw a maid exiting one of the salons. Emma exhaled a shaky breath, relief mingling with her persistent anxiety. As she struggled to contain herself, the butler suddenly appeared. Before he could announce anything, George strode into the room.

Emma's breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded fiercely as she took in his tall figure and determined expression. She felt a surge of hope so strong it nearly overwhelmed her.

“The Duke of, ah... Seymore,” the butler stammered.

"I knew he would come!" Caroline shot to her feet, her excitement all too palpable.

Emma felt her legs grow weak with relief, barely able to support her weight. Tears of relief pricked at her eyes, threatening to spill over. She grasped the back of a chair for support, her emotions a tumultuous mix of hope and anxiety.

She could not be sure of George’s reason for coming. A little voice in her head whispered doubts, and that anxiety washed over her once more. It was just as quickly snuffed, however, when George said, "I apologize for my lateness, but I had to obtain a license first."

Emma noticed for the first time the document he bore in his hand. Her heart leaped with a mix of disbelief and joy.

"Oh, thank heavens," her mother exclaimed, enveloping Emma in a hug. Emma found herself in utter shock. Had she heard him correctly? A special license? Was he truly here to offer for her?

More tears blinded her eyes as she struggled to blink them away. “I have the license for us to marry, Emma,” George approached her as her mother pulled away.

Emma was at a loss for words, her heart pounding in her chest. As though he sensed her speechlessness, he gave her an encouraging smile and added, “Yes. I am here to offer for you, darling.”

“You were not pleased the last time you addressed me thusly,” she murmured.

He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Much has changed since then, and I know the truth now.” He glanced at Caroline, his eyes sparking with disdain.

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