Page 66 of Her Wolf of a Duke

It had been a lot for Emma to understand, but she wanted to try.

In truth, she pitied Levi when he told her what had happened to him as a child, and so even though she was angry she wanted to let him try. She wanted to give him the chance to improve as a husband, and he seemed willing to do it.

He did, indeed, join her for dinner the following night. Though stilted, at first, it was nice to have company once more.

“What did you do today?” he asked, as their first course was served.

“I spent a lot of time meeting with the staff today. Mrs. Telson gave me their names, but I could never remember all of them without having a face to match them to.”

“What did you think of them?”

“They are all lovely. I must also thank you for finding me a lady’s maid, though that will take some time to get used to.”

“Yes, I must admit that I was surprised to learn that you did not have one before.”

“I shared one with my sister, but I found it easier to learn to do such things myself, and let Sarah have the maid. All that to say, I am quite adapted to doing things myself.”

“That is perfectly fine, but you should know as my wife that you can grow accustomed to the finer things in life.”

There was a strange fluttering feeling in her chest when he said that. He took care of her, even if he did not always go about it in the right way. It was just as well that he was trying, for she had something to ask him that gave her a great deal of nerves, indeed. She smoothed the paper that she was holding in her lap, the words swirling in her mind.

Sarah had been invited to a ball, and their father was refusing to accompany her after the stunt she had pulled, dancing with Lord Rosendale. There was something that Sarah wished to discuss with her, but she wished to say it to her in person, rather than by letter, and so she was hoping that Emma would accompany her.

The issue was that she was supposed to be on her honeymoon, and so if she were to arrive without her husband, questions would be asked, and she had had her fair share of whispers and rumors as it was. If she were to attend with Sarah, she would need Levi by her side, but that would be a great ask given thecircumstances. He was already trying to be better, and she did not wish to push him too far.

“Something is troubling you,” he said gently. “What is it?”

“It is nothing,” she replied quickly, fixing a smile.

“I can see it in your face. You are more than welcome to tell me what troubles you, for if you do not then there is no way for me to help you. And I assure you, I wish to.”

“Well, I received this letter this morning,” she sighed, handing it to him. “It is from my sister.”

He read it quickly before handing it back to her. She watched as his face changed while reading it, shifting from concern to anger to concern once more.

“You may of course attend with her. Why has this been such a concern to you?”

“Because… I think it is best that you do, too. The rumors have only just begun to settle, but if I were to appear without you when we are supposed to be in newlywed bliss, I dread to think what people will say.”

“You seem to care an awful lot about how people see you.”

“I do. Perhaps it will not be so important when my sister is married, but for now I have done enough damage to her reputation and I think it is best that we show a united front through this.”

“Does that mean you were afraid to ask me to join you?”

“Not afraid, only that I might be asking too much of you.”

“I have told you that I am going to try and be a better husband. That means that I want you to tell me when you want something. I would be delighted to join you both. Will you need a gown for it?”

Emma thought for a moment about whether or not she had a gown for the occasion. She did have some beautiful dresses, but the more she thought about it, the less confident she was.

“I believe so,” she nodded. “I do not have anything resembling the finery that a duchess should wear.”

“Very well, I shall have the town’s modiste brought to you tomorrow. In fact, to make things easier, you might like to have several made. Have her design as many as you wish, and do not think about the cost. Also, you may wish to think about choosing the new family colors. My father always insisted on a deep red, but I never thought much of that.”

“Family colors?”

“Yes, of course. If it is a united front you want, then a united front we will have. Might you have a preference?”

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