Page 16 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
Emmett’s eyebrows raised nearly to his hairline as Rose gasped. “Honestly?”
Pandora nodded and schooled her face into a pleading expression. “I know we have our differences, but it is in our best interest to learn about each other, don’t you agree? For the harmony of the household.”
Emmett snorted. “The household is fine, thank you. But as a matter of fact, my grandmother suggested much the same thing. Perhaps a turn around the Estate?”
Pandora blinked at him and hesitated. She had intended to visit her brother today, but– “Of course, that sounds pleasant. Shall we meet in the front hall in an hour’s time?”
“An hour is perfect, I have business with Lord Riverton anyway.” Emmett took her hand and bent over it to leave a kiss.
With a bow of his head, he turned back into his study, giving Pandora a quick glance at Ashton’s skeptical face. Did he distrust her motives, or was he simply surprised Emmett agreed to spend some time with her? The door shut and left her alone. No, not entirely alone. Rose made a sound of disgust from beside her and Pandora turned to face her.
“Lady Rose–” started Pandora, but Rose cut her off.
“I can see through you, you know. You won’t fool me,” said Rose in a tight voice.
Pandora forced her shoulders to relax. “I know you have your brother’s best intentions in mind, so I won’t take offense. I must admit though, I had hoped we could be friends.”
Rose hesitated, some of the animosity leaving her fair face. “My brother is all I have. Well, him and Grandmother, but Grandmother is–”
“Highly irascible?”
A smile painted Rose’s face. “Yes, quite. She means well, but I wish she would just make friends with the Dowager Viscountess of Riverton instead of focusing on this ridiculous rivalry.”
“How did this rivalry start, anyway?” asked Pandora.
The smile faltered on Rose’s lips. “Looking for more gossip for your column?”
Pandora sniffed. “If you’ve read it, then you will know that I only write about those men who mean to harm a woman’s reputation.”
Rose flushed, smile now gone. “Like my brother?”
Pandora flinched. “Perhaps I misjudged him.” A small lie. She had concrete evidence in the form of a letter of his indiscretions. “He doesn’t seem like the man I wrote about.” That much was true at least. He had shown her several sides to his character in the short time she had known him. A teasing, playful side played against the seducer, a charming side played against his desire for vengeance. She shook herself. This was not a time to be lost in thought.
Rose gave her a strange look. “Are you all right?”
Pandora gave her a grateful smile. “I am quite well, simply distracted. Your brother is a mystery to me.”
“He does have that effect on ladies, I’ve noticed.”
Pandora’s eyebrow arced in surprise. “And yet you believe him to be innocent?”
Rose shrugged. “I won’t deny that he gravitates toward the fairer sex like a fly to honey, but he has always been most courteous. He is no rake.”
‘On that, we will find no agreement,’ thought Pandora.
“I had better attend to breakfast before I meet with your brother for a walk.”
“Bring your shawl, the sky is clear but the wind still tastes of winter,” said Rose.
“Thank you, I appreciate the advice.” Within the hour Pandora was bundled in her favorite shawl, a length of cream lawn with a border of red and green embroidery. She draped it over her arms and resisted the urge to pace.
Emmett was late. The clock in the front hall proclaimed that it was almost eleven, and yet her husband was still closeted in his study with his friend. Not an auspicious start to this bonding experiment. And the looks the servants gave her as they passed hardly gave her confidence. Curiosity, pity, dislike, it varied from servant to servant.
The dislike came from Emmett’s elderly valet, Sims. That had her interest. What had she done to offend him? Perhaps it was the act of removing him from her bed last night that had earned his wrath. After ten minutes of waiting, she was just about to return to her chamber when Emmett came thundering downstairs in a most ungentlemanly way.
“Pandora!” he cried. “I am so sorry, I got distracted by Ashton’s recounting of… well, the details are unimportant. But I am here now.” Pandora stood at the bottom of the stairs, shawl clutched loosely in her hand. Emmett stood above her, a look of contrition on his handsome face, and she softened.
“Very well. We’d best be off then before we have any trouble.” Emmett flashed her a boyish smile and Pandora’s heart fluttered. He did have a way with women, and Pandora was not immune to his charm. He joined her at the bottom of the stairs and offered her his arm.
