Page 60 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
ChapterTwenty-Six
An urgent-sounding knock yanked Pandora out of her light sleep. Beside her Emmett was already gathering the sheets to her naked breasts, his voice bursting with irritation as he barked, "Who is it?"
"It is I, Your Grace," said Sims, clearing his throat.
Emmett stared hard as if Sims could see the irritated expression on his face through the shut door. He clearly had no intention of letting the man in and hence putting a resolute end to this precious moment they'd shared together just yet. Pandora smiled to herself, feeling lucky to be in this room with him and lucky to have him for her husband.
"What is it, Sims?" Emmett crashed his head back down on the pile of pillows, sounding more drowsy and tuckered than annoyed now.
"It's his Lordship, Your Grace."
"Who?"
"The Earl of Danvers."
"Edward?" whispered Pandora, her eyebrows lowered in puzzled confusion. Surely her brother had not come all the way here even after she had assured him she would be fine?
She gathered herself from the bed and so did Emmett, running a smoothing hand through his hair as he shrugged into his robe. Pandora admired the curve of his shoulders, the fine slope of his neck as he drew his robe tight.
"Goodness gracious, Your Grace, are youoglingme?" he teased.
"I amobviouslyogling you."
"Obviously," he primly agreed.
Sims bowed his greeting as Emmett pulled the door open. He led their way into the drawing room, announcing their presence to Edward who was seated stiffly on a chair, tapping his foot as he waited for them.
"Edward," said Pandora as she crossed the room toward her brother. "What on Earth are you doing here?"
"I had to ensure you were all right." Edward clasped and unclasped his hands, and Pandora's eyebrow lifted in amusement. Her brother was even more anxious on her behalf than she remembered being. Or could something else be afoot?
"That's really thoughtful of you, Edward." Pandora smiled at her brother, touched by his thoughtful gesture, "But I told you that I would resolve it, and I have." She glanced at her husband with his arms folded languidly across his chest. "And we have."
"Yes, it's been called that and more in the past," Emmett said, and Pandora's mouth fell open. This man! And right in the presence of Sims andher brother!
Sims cleared his throat. "Will that be all, Your Grace?"
Emmett rolled his eyes amusedly. "Yes, Sims, you may be excused."
Sims departed from their presence while Pandora shot Emmett a scolding glance, her cheeks blushing with color. The corners of Emmett's lips quirked up in amusement, but he said nothing else, to her begrudging gratitude.
"There is one more thing," said Edward after they had exchanged good evenings and turned to leave.
"Yes?" said Emmett, his eyebrow shooting to the ceiling, obviously too impatient to return to his chamber with his wife in his arms. Pandora wanted to chide him, but she found this pesky little attitude somewhat endearing.
Edward put his hand behind his back and took a cautious step forward. He cleared his throat rather grandly, and she and Emmett exchanged amused glances. What could her brother be up to?
"Your Grace…" a pause, "Emmett.I would like to offer my hand in marriage to Lady Rose. I harbor not a small size of affection toward her, and if you let me… if she lets me, I will look after her, and cherish her with all the love that one man can give."
"Edward!" Pandora gasped, pleasantly surprised. She had suspected that Rose's name was slowly taking up space in his mind… and heart, if their conversation earlier in the afternoon was any indication. But he was such a self-professed, irredeemable bachelor, she hadn't seriously entertained the idea that he might go through with his intentions.
Emmett cleared his throat, the look on his face intent and yet inscrutable. Finally, his face broke into a warm smile. "That is pleasant to hear," he said finally.
"Really?" Edward sounded relieved as if he had doubted that Emmett would grant his sister's hand in marriage to him.
"Truly," he said. Both men grinned and clapped each other on the backs, and Emmett called to Sims. "Sims, please ask Lady Rose to join us at once."
"Yes, Your Grace." Sims bowed out. He returned after a moment with a prim-looking Rose entering the drawing room with timid steps, as if she were walking into a lion's den. Pandora stifled the urge to laugh. What good news her young sister-in-law was about to meet!
