Page 47 of Three Scandals for the Wild Duke

She stood aghast, unable to reconcile this vindictive stranger with the mother she once knew. The harshness of her tone, the cruelty of her words—it was as if she was looking at a reflection of her father, not the woman who had raised her.

“Are you using her to intimidate me now, Mother?” Emma asked, her voice strained as she tried to keep her composure under Caroline’s unyielding gaze.

“If that is the only thing that will incite you to find a husband, then yes. I am not merely threatening, Emma. Iwillcut her wages by half if you do not do what is expected of you.” her mother replied coldly.

“Now get dressed,” she barked as she strode over to the wardrobe. “I change my mind. You are not wearing that dress.” Caroline pulled out a different garment that she deemed more suitable for Emma’s purposes tonight. A pale green silk dress with an embroidered neckline intended to draw attention.

With a heavy heart, Antoinetta helped Emma into the dress her mother had chosen. Throughout the process, Caroline watched like a hawk, issuing commands on what to change and add with every second breath. Her scrutiny was relentless, each directive more critical than the last.

“This is the last night of the house party and your last chance here. You will not catch the eye of any gentleman dressed like a nun,” her mother declared as she adjusted the pearls around Emma’s neck.

Resigned, Emma finally descended the stairs for dinner, her mother following closely behind, ensuring that her daughter adhered to every instruction. As they entered the drawing room, Emma’s heart sank, for the first gaze she met across the crowded room was George’s. His eyes were like sharp blades, and if looks could indeed wound, she felt that his could cut her to the core.

Her heart both raced and ached from the intensity of his scorn, and although she had braced herself for his disapproval, the reality of facing it at this very moment was more than she had anticipated. With a heavy sigh, Emma looked away. The evening was already unbearable, and it had only just begun.

Her gaze settled on Firman next. He was deeply engaged in conversation with Colette, but he sent a warm smile in her direction when he saw her. His friendly gesture was a small solace, but Emma knew this was going to be a long evening.

“I’m starving,” Olivia declared, appearing beside Emma with her usual bright smile. She looped her arm through Emma’s, anchoring her with a familiar comfort.

“So am I,” Emma lied, managing to pin a smile on her face to mask her nerves. The last thing she wanted was to invite any probing questions from Olivia, who was always quick to sense any unease in her.

“I hope Francois would make this meal memorable.”

“Oh, I am sure he will,” Emma responded, playing along with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. She was also careful not to meet George’s gaze across the room. However, she was keenly aware of his presence in the room as he leaned against the window and watched everyone, especially her.

“You have such confidence in him, one would think he pays you to put in a good word for him,” Olivia laughed.

“Oh, with such elaborate meals every day, I think that is more than payment enough, don’t you think?” Emma quipped back, finding a bit of truth in her own jest.

“I think we might have to get our dresses adjusted a little bit after this house party,” Olivia chuckled, patting her stomach in a playful manner.

Emma found herself laughing genuinely for the first time that evening. Olivia’s presence was indeed a good distraction, her light-heartedness a balm to the evening’s earlier wounds.

Fate, however, seemed determined to test Emma further when a gentleman approached Olivia, requesting the honor of escorting her to dinner. With a smile, Olivia agreed and allowed him to lead her away just as Emma noticed the other guests beginning to pair up for the procession to the dining hall.

Her heart sank further when she observed Alexander offering his arm to Colette. There went another opportunity, slipping away as easily as sand through her fingers. She could almost feel the heat of her parents’ disapproval bearing down upon her, their expectations unmet yet again.

She stood awkwardly, hoping for some miracle of a partner, when her gaze drifted across the room to Lady Amberton. She was whispering something to George. His expression that was earlier unreadable immediately turned to stone. Whatever was shared between them concluded with a curt nod from him, and then, to her surprise, he began making his way toward her.

Oh, no!As he approached, there was a marked absence of the usual warmth or charm that occasionally played about his features. Instead, his demeanor was somber, almost lifeless.

“Miss Lovell,” he greeted her formally once he had covered the distance between them.

Emma swallowed hard. The cold, distant manner in which he regarded her now made her feel as though she were no more familiar to him than a complete stranger. She curtsied politely, murmuring, “Your Grace.”

“May I escort you to the dining room?” he asked.

Nodding, she took George’s proffered arm, allowing him to lead her away. As they walked toward the dining room, an awkward silence stretched between them, each step feeling overly pronounced, echoing her dread.

In the dining room, he walked her to her seat, and instead of releasing her hand, he lingered and held her gaze for a moment. There was disapproval in his eyes, but there was something else that had her heart racing all over again and her breath catching. George had given her this look many times before.

“You may take your seat,” he whispered, seeming to lean ever closer to her, placing her under his charming enchantment.

“You have to release my hand first,” she murmured. It was as though her words had awakened him from some form of slumber. George straightened and cleared his throat, releasing her hand.

As Emma took her seat, her gaze drifted across the room and met Lady Amberton’s, who, to Emma’s surprise, was grinning at her. There was something curious and unreadable about her expression that left Emma feeling even more disconcerted.

Without another word, George took the seat next to her, his presence overwhelming her senses. Emma tried to focus on her meal but found herself keenly aware of every minute movement he made. It also did not help that he sat so rigidly.

---