Page 81 of Three Scandals for the Wild Duke

"Fortunately," Emma said, moving toward the hearth and rubbing her hands together. "After these showers, I’m freezing," she confessed a little sheepishly.

“I am sure you did not take note of how cold it is while you were fleeing,” Jane said with a pointed look as she helped Emma out of her drenched cloak and travel frock.

Emma chuckled. “One hardly feels such things when they are desperate.”

“Indeed.” Jane smiled. “We are very happy George found you early.”

Emma never thought she would appreciate dry clothing this much as she smoothed down the skirts of the pretty pale blue morning dress that was Olivia’s. It was almost a perfect fit, except for the bosom, which was a little too tight.

“Come.” Jane moved toward the door. “George is waiting.”

They returned downstairs to the sight of George pacing the drawing room, his agitation evident in every step. The moment he saw her, his demeanor softened, and he rushed to Emma, taking her hand and leading her to sit in a chair.

He kneeled before her. “Emma, I am so sorry I left without so much as a note,” he said. “The trip had been unplanned,” he added, looking slightly sheepish.

Emma’s mind whirled with confusion and relief. “I don’t understand... How did you know to return when you did?”

“I actually arrived in town shortly before dawn,” he responded, his eyes never leaving hers. “And the moment I got in, Alex accosted me with questions I knew nothing of. He was ready to march me to the altar with a pistol to my back to marry you. Then he mentioned a certain letter…” He paused, his expression darkening with remembered frustration.

Emma felt a pang of guilt as she realized the chaos her father’s actions had caused. “I cannot believe my father went that far,” she thought aloud.

“I am not surprised,” George said bitterly, his jaw tightening. “After the news, I left for your house at once, but the Baron was already gone when I arrived. Your mother was in tears when she gave me your letter.”

Emma’s heart ached at the thought of her mother’s distress. “Oh dear,” she murmured, guilt washing over her. “I never meant to cause such trouble.”

“Your mother told me that a footman saw your departure and roused the Baron. Your father and Neads, fortunately, left a trail, and we followed it to find you,” George explained. “I knew Neadswas desperate for a handsome heir, but I did not realize the extent.”

George’s expression darkened, and he raised her hand to his lips. “I will make him pay for this. Your father I shall be slightly lenient with, but the Marquess shall disappear from society.” Emma felt her eyes widen, for she had never seen George make such a strong avowal.

She had just opened her mouth to speak when a commotion erupted in the front hall. Moments later, Alexander appeared, shepherding the Baron and the Marquess into the room. Their hands were bound behind their backs, and they walked with sullen reluctance. Emma could feel the hate coming from the men, their eyes burning with malice.

George’s anger resurfaced, his jaw clenched tightly as he rose and faced the men who had caused so much pain.

“Emma?” Her mother’s frantic voice echoed through the hall. Caroline rushed into the drawing room, enveloping Emma in a tight hug the moment she saw her. Emma felt the warmth and comfort of her mother’s embrace, and a fresh wave of emotion washed over her.

“I am so sorry, Mother,” Emma whispered, her voice thick with guilt and relief. “I could not go on with it. I could not imagine a life married to him. I had to go.”

Caroline pulled back slightly, her eyes filled with understanding. “I understand, my dear. It does not matter now. You’re backsafe and all right. That is the most important thing,” she said, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief.

George stepped forward, his expression softening as he addressed Caroline. “You’ve arrived just in time, My Lady,” he said respectfully.

“Thank you for letting me know to meet you all here,” Caroline responded.

George turned to Dewsbury and Neads. "Tell them what you did, Neads," he commanded, authority resonating in his tone.

The old Marquess glared at him for what seemed like an eternity before grudgingly speaking. "I wouldn’t be the first man to forge a letter, and neither would I be last," he said, eliciting gasps of surprise and disapprobation from Olivia, Jane, and Caroline.

"Of course, I did not act on my own. Dewsbury here was just as involved in the forgery to make his daughter marry me," the Marquess added, now glaring at the Baron. "You incompetent fool! You couldn’t even keep a leash on your own daughter!”

"Watch your words, Neads!" George’s eyes flashing with anger.

The Baron’s face twisted with resentment as he spoke. "Well, I only helped write the letter because Neads was paying me to marry Emma, whileyouhad no intention of giving me a shilling, Seymore.”

"Congratulations, gentlemen. You have successfully brought an end to your time in society," George said, his voice low and dangerous. "I will warn you two for the last time," he continued, his eyes narrowing. "Henceforth, if any one of you so much as enters the same room Emma is in, you will pay a price heftier than what I intend for you now."

With that, George gave a curt nod, and two of the gentlemen Emma had seen earlier came to drag them away. Her father’s face was pale, while Neads gaped like a fish in need of water. The room erupted with exclamations of disbelief and lamentations.

George turned to the assembled group. "May I have a word with Emma in private, please?" he asked, his voice soft now. He dropped to one knee in front of her once they were alone. His eyes held hers with a raw vulnerability she had never seen before.

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