Page 3 of Three Scandals for the Wild Duke

This optimism reminded Emma of her good friend, Frances Hughes. Both women had an uncanny ability to see light even in the darkest of situations. Emma wished she could adopt their cheerful outlook. Alas, she tended to see things as they were, not as she hoped them to be, a trait that often made her all too aware of the harsh realities of her life. One would call her a realist. Or a pessimist, as Frances often playfully chastised.

“Only with a bright smile would you win the heart of the most eligible gentleman,” Antoinetta continued as she shifted through the contents of Emma’s wardrobe. “Let us forget the Baron and Baroness, and make the most of our time here, Emma dear,” she concluded with a reassuring smile.

“You are right,” Emma couldn’t help but agree, feeling a spark of Antoinetta’s infectious cheer warm her spirits. Together, they went through her boxes, selecting a dress and matching shoes, gloves, and jewelry for the evening’s opening dinner. As they laid out a delicate, ivory silk dress, Emma wondered if the Earl would notice.

Her spirits lifted considerably after deciding on her attire, so much so that she felt an urge to explore. With a few hours to spare before she needed to dress for dinner, she made her way downstairs, her steps light.

She had just passed by an ajar door when a most shocking sight halted her. Curiosity piqued, she retraced her steps and peered into the room.

In the salon was Olivia, in a compromising position with a gentleman.

CHAPTER 2

Emma couldn’t believe Olivia’s recklessness: sitting alone with a gentleman in an ajar room so exposed in a house filled with members of theton. And worse, the gentleman was holding Olivia’s hand while she smiled as though he was the most important person in her life. Emma rather liked Olivia and couldn’t find it in her to simply ignore this and let the girl jeopardize her future so carelessly.

Thus, she pushed open the door, and stepped into the room with a firmness that belied her racing heart. To her surprise, neither Olivia nor the gentleman seemed startled at being caught together. If anything, the duo appeared comfortable and at ease, as if such encounters were commonplace here.

“Oh, Emma,” Olivia began pleasantly at the sight of her, her smile warm but with a hint of nervousness. “Are you?—”

“With all due respect, sir, you should be ashamed of yourself for taking advantage of a young lady in her own home,” Emma addressed the gentleman, her tone stern and her gazeunyielding. The gentleman quirked a brow in ostensible surprise and… Amusement?The nerve of him!Something about his demeanor and lack of remorse for his actions irritated Emma deeply.

Olivia attempted to speak again. “Oh, but Emma?—”

“Do not worry, Olivia. Your secret is safe with me, for I shall not speak a word of this to anyone. You can be on your way. You are safe.”

Olivia tried again, a note of desperation in her voice, clearly wanting to explain. “You see?—”

“It is all right, Olivia dear. Go on,” the gentleman said softly, his tone soothing and his expression one of calm assurance.

Emma could not believe his audacity. There he was, flirting with Olivia despite her interruption and continued presence in the room. Olivia herself seemed torn, as though she wanted to argue, but upon reconsideration, she chose to exit the room.

Unbelievable! He has charmed her out of reason and caution,Emma thought, her brow furrowed in concern. She’d heard tales of gentlemen like him who preyed on the naivete and innocence of young ladies—a lot like the notorious Duke of Seymore.

“If you care about that lady, as you have no doubt professed to her, then you wouldn’t risk her reputation so,” Emma admonished him sharply after Olivia had left the room.

“Is that so?” He folded his arms across his broad chest, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement, which only served to heighten Emma’s irritation. “You sound quite certain of my…professions,” he added, his tone now teasing.

“Probably because I just walked in and interrupted them,” she retorted defiantly. “Fortunately so, too. God knows what would have happened if anyone else had walked by the door.”

“I suppose I should be grateful thatyouwalked past then,” he said, maintaining that infuriating air of amusement.

“I do not care for your gratitude,” Emma snapped back, her patience wearing thin. He looked almost taken aback, surprised perhaps by her fervor. “Olivia deserves more, and better than a smeared reputation.”My intervention was solely for Olivia’s sake, and Olivia alone, she told herself. Not to win her or the Earl’s favor.

“How would you know that? Is Olivia your friend, Miss…?” he probed, his tone shifting as he sought to understand her connection.

“Lovell,” Emma responded quickly before adding, “I wouldn’t call us friends just yet, but?—”

“Then you have no business interrupting her private conversations,” he cut in sharply.

“Private conversation?” She echoed, her disbelief audible. “You were seated too close to her for comfort, and propriety, sir. You were even holding her ungloved hand! That is taking advantage of her. Not to mention courting a scandal which is bound to be devastating.” Her ire was rising, and she could not truly understand why.

The gentleman was quiet for a moment, his gaze lingering on Emma with a mirth that made her feel unexpectedly self-conscious.

She suddenly felt on display, very much aware of her lone presence with him in the room. Just when she thought that he was unaware, he said, “You know… For a lady so obsessed with propriety, you have stayed a rather long time alone with me in this room.” His observation, pointed and unsettling, left Emma grappling with a mix of indignation and a dawning realization ofherprecarious situation.

She blinked, a gasp suddenly escaping her as she realized her own recklessness. Her cheeks flushed with a sudden heat, and without another word, she quickly turned on her heels and hurried out of the room. Something about this man infuriated her intensely, setting her nerves on edge in a manner she hadn’t anticipated.

As she hastened down the long hallway, she collided with something… Someone.

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