Page 5 of An Arranged Marriage with a Cruel Earl
Be yourself, dear,he whispered in her mind.That is all you need.
His words were like a talisman against her own self-dislike. So often in this townhouse, she had the thought that she should become smaller and weaker, quieter, and less interesting. In short, more like the ladies in London who were vaunted by society as good noblewomen.
“We should go and change into some good gowns,” Lady Radley suggested.
“Yes,” Emmeline said softly. The faster they could get on their way, the better.
Once she was dressed in a green day gown, she went into the hallway. She grinned in delight to see her mother waiting for her, wearing a blue dress. The colour brought out the soft tone of her eyes and she looked beautiful.
“Mama!” Emmeline shrilled. “So good to see you.” After a year in their black mourning dresses, seeing her mother in a colourful gown was renewing and uplifting, like Springtime had come.
“You look lovely, my dear,” Charlotte said gently. “Come now. Let's go to the coach. Mr Hodgkins is waiting for us.”
They hurried to the coach and soon drew up outside Fairfax House. Emmeline gazed up at it, excitement filling her. The butler opened the door when they knocked, but Uncle Henry and Aunt Patricia were there already and then Emmeline was laughing, tears in her eyes as Amelia ran to embrace her.
“Amelia,” she murmured. “I’m so pleased to see you.”
“Emmi!” Amelia greeted her, using the name they had used when they were little. “So good to see you!” She hugged her tightly.
“So good to seeyou,” Emmeline murmured, her eyes moist with tears. Her heart warmed in ways it had not for months.
She breathed in, smelling the familiar, spicy scent of her friend’s perfume.
Amelia stepped back and gazed at Emmeline. Emmeline frowned. There was a line between Amelia’s fine dark brows that suggested she was worried. She also looked paler. She gazed into her cousin’s deep brown eyes, but Amelia was already turning to go upstairs to the drawing room.She pushed her concern for Amelia away. If there was something troubling her cousin, she would surely tell her.
They went into the fine, warm drawing room upstairs. Mama was already chatting with Aunt and Uncle merrily. It was so good to hear her mother sounding so happy. For months Emmeline had not heard that bright, carefree tone in her voice.
“Tea, please!” Uncle Henry called to the butler, with firmness. “And plenty of cake. Our visitors must be starving.”
“Thank you, Henry,” Charlotte said warmly. “You will feed us so much that we shan’t be able to eat our dinner.”
“Nonsense!”
Emmeline watched the exchange between Uncle and Mama, enjoying their happiness. Uncle Henry looked like Charlotte Ashmore—he had her pale colouring, except that his eyes were blue where Charlotte’s were greyer. Aunt Patricia, sitting beside him, had dark curls and big dark eyes, and Amelia took after her. Amelia’s thick hair was the colour of rich chocolate, and her dark eyes were truly beautiful, framed with thick lashes. She had porcelain skin and was truly a beauty. She would have been the toast of the Ton, but she was extremely shy. At most Seasons that they had attended together, Amelia had sat out almost all the dances, too nervous even to say a word to a potential dance partner. It was unfair, since Amelia was a true society beauty, much prettier than she considered she was herself.
“Now,” Uncle murmured as he settled himself opposite Mama. “I want to hear about everything.”
Charlotte began telling him about their trip. Aunt Patricia listened intently, and Emmeline was content to watch, nodding occasionally in agreement. As she listened, she became aware of Amelia staring at her. The gaze seemed desperate. She was about to ask her what was bothering her, but Amelia spoke first.
“Papa?” Amelia answered, “If we may, could Emmeline and I retire to my chamber for a moment? I have a matter I wish to discuss with her.”
“Of course, Amelia,” he said, his gaze loving. “Please, feel free. And you needn’t rush to dinner, either—take as much time as you need. I’m sure you have a lot to discuss with each other after so many months.”
Emmeline nodded and smiled at Aunt Patricia, inclined her head to Mama and hurried with Amelia to her bedroom.
Amelia shut the door and waited for Emmeline to sit down on the chair by the bed.
“I’m to be married,” Amelia told Emmeline at once, her voice swift as she blurted it out.
“What?” Emmeline stared at her, a grin shining on her face. “What wonderful news! My!” She was about to ask who the fortunate man might be, but Amelia’s expression made her stop.
“It is terrible, Emmi” Amelia whispered. Her eyes were wide with fear, her mouth trembling. “I beseech you—I am in dire need of your aid.”
“Whatever is it?” Emmeline asked, a frown twisting her brows.
“It is the man I am to marry,” Amelia said at once. “He is a murderer, Emmeline! Pray help me.”
