Page 17 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
Pandora took a moment to place her shawl back over her shoulders and threaded her arm through his. She could feel the muscles of his bicep as he flexed under her touch, and her mind wandered back to having him in her bed last night. His nightshirt had been partially unbuttoned, revealing his strong collarbone and a bit of his chest. She hadn’t seen a male chest since she was a child, and the sight had followed her into her dreams.
She allowed Emmett to lead her out the front door and steer her down a path that led around the back of the Manor. He was as silent as she was, and they made eye contact once as they each shot side glances at each other.
What did one say to their new husband after banishing him from your bed and getting caught spying at his door? She nibbled her bottom lip. There was always the weather. The day was indeed fine, with the sun glinting off the fresh green leaves of the forest to her right. Cropped grass lay between the Manor and the stand of trees, and she could picture playing Pall Mall with some friends.
If she had any. She hadn’t received any letters of congratulations yet from any of her acquaintances and wasn’t sure what to do. Should she call on them for a visit in the afternoon? Write to them herself? Surely that would seem like bragging, as if she were saying, ‘Look, I married a Duke!’
Pandora shook herself, earning another glance from Emmett. She was getting herself lost in thought again.
“I–” said Emmett and Pandora at the same time.
Pandora looked down at the gravel path with a blush. “Please, Your Grace, continue.”
Emmett shook his head. “Ladies first.”
“Oh, well. I was just going to ask about your grandmother. What is the story behind her rivalry with the Dowager Viscountess of Riverton? She wouldn’t stop accusing me of being her pawn yesterday.”
“Ah…” said Emmett, “that is a mystery to us all I’m afraid. I’ve urged her to drop whatever this fictitious rivalry is, but she’ll hear nothing of it. Honestly, I’m glad she doesn’t have many friends, for fear of her embarrassing the family over it.”
“I can see that would be a fear, yes. I am lucky in that I have no relatives like that. My grandparents died before I was born.”
“That’s cold. As irritating as my grandmother to be, I am still glad to have her wisdom at my disposal. She does have a shrewd mind when she chooses to use it. I think you should mourn not having a family to call your own.”
“Cold or not, I am happy with my own small family. Edward is all I need.”
Emmett snorted. “Your family is a great deal larger now. My grandmother is your family now, too. As is Rose.”
The path turned, following the curve of the Manor as they walked toward the gardens. Pandora smiled despite Emmett’s gentle reprimand. The plants were still low to the ground, it being early in the season, but the sight of the greenery after being cooped all day yesterday brought gladness to her heart.
Emmett guided her further into the gardens. He pointed to a patch of sunny yellow flowers growing in clumps at the base of a sleeping rose bush. “The daffodils are coming up nicely this year.”
Pandora leaned down and brushed her fingers over the bright petals. “Do you know much about flowers, Your Grace?”
Emmett shook his head. “Only what the gardeners taught me. And Grandmother. Daffodils for unrequited love.”
Pandora laughed. “Your Grace, you surprise me.”
Emmett helped her to her feet and let her hand linger on his own. “Surprised that I know the language of flowers? How else am I supposed to woo all those ladies you accuse me of bedding?”
Pandora flushed and released his hands. “I have several reputable sources–”
“Please, I am only teasing,” said Emmett, that charming little smile back on his lips.
Pandora forced herself to relax. “I meant no offense, Your Grace.”
“I get enough of ‘Your Grace’ from the servants. You are my wife. Call me Emmett.”
“Emmett.” A strange look passed over Emmett’s face, but it was gone so fast Pandora didn’t have a chance to read it. Instead, he smiled and offered her his arm, which she took after only a moment’s hesitation.
“I spent a lot of time in the gardens at Danvers Manor as well, My… Emmett.”
“‘My Emmett’? Surely all this flower talk hasn’t made you fall for me already?”
Pandora raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that your aim? To make me fall for you? I can hardly see myself falling for a rake after–” She trailed off, not wanting to speak of her past, but Emmett shook his head with a laugh.
“Hardly. My Grandmother thinks I should woo you, but I doubt you are the kind of woman who would give her heart to a ‘rake’ such as myself, anyway. No, I merely wish for friendship between us. Or at the very least, an understanding.”
Pandora fell silent. Friends with Emmett? The thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
