Page 1 of Wedded to the Beastly Duke
ChapterOne
“Girls,” Esther Summers said dramatically. “What am I ever to do about your father?”
The Countess of Sunton sank into a chair in the drawing room with a sigh. Emmeline bit back a sigh of her own as she glanced up into her mother’s pale face and trembling lips.
“What is it?” Aurelia asked, her voice timid.
She put down her embroidery, a frown creasing the milky skin of her complexion. Unlike Emmeline, who had never been a great beauty, Aurelia looked as though she had been born in the sun’s smile, blessed with blonde hair like silk, blue eyes the color of a summer morning, and a clear complexion entirely clear of freckles.
In contrast, Emmeline had inherited their father’s height, middling brown hair, and hazel eyes. She, to her dismay, had also inherited freckles from, it seemed, neither parent. And no amount of lemon juice would make them go away.
“Well, I asked him which event I should attend between Lady Southend’s ball and Lady Norfolk’s soiree, and he wasquitestern.” Her mother sniffled. “Apparently, I ought not to rely on his decision-making all the time, and he would not be attending these events with me.”
Emmeline put a leather bookmark in her book and closed it. “Well,” she said brightly, “that is hardly so surprising, is it? You know Papa rarely attends events of this kind, and why should he decide which one you’ll attend when he will not be there?”
Her mother fidgeted. “It is the role of a husband to make decisions for his wife, dear. You must know that by now, at your age.”
Emmeline smiled, heradvanced years, in the words of her recently married friend Edith, Lady Newport, were not a sore point. What use did she have for marriage when her family relied on her so utterly?
“I am only one-and-twenty, Mama. Besides, I am sure Papa merely wished you to choose whichever one would make you happiest.” She neglected to mention that it was more likely he simply did not care. “Do you have a preference?”
“They are both highly influential ladies, and the ball is on the same night as the soiree. I shall have to pick one.” The Countess flicked a handkerchief. “And whoever’s event I donotchoose will no doubt be cross.”
Aurelia looked as though this quandary was a matter of life and death. “Oh no,” she said in her soft voice. “Whatever shall we do?”
“No one could expect you to choose Lady Norfolk over Lady Southend,” Emmeline said firmly. “Think, Mama. You have been friends with Lady Southend since you were presented together, and I expect it shall be the most popular event. If they choose to feud, that is one thing, but you should not worry yourself over it.”
The Countess sighed. “Your father does not understand what I suffer with my nerves,” she said, holding out a hand to each of her daughters. “But you, my lovely girls, know how I feel. What would I ever do without you?”
“Oh, Mama,” Aurelia said, quite overcome. “I hope you shall never find out.”
“I will, one of these days, with that pretty face of yours.” The Countess patted Aurelia’s hand. “But you must be careful not to marry such a gruff man as your father. I wish I had not. You must be very careful, Aurelia.”
Aurelia nodded solemnly. “I will. I will marry for love, I swear it.”
Emmeline bit back a sigh. Her father was not so bad at all, and the implication that he was cruel because he did not have time for all his wife’s many whims was unfounded. Yes, he could occasionally be blunt and stern, and perhaps even indifferent to his wife, but he was not heartless.
Not to mention that he had been unfailingly kind to her and Aurelia ever since she could remember.
“We shall both marry for love,” she said briskly. “You with your beauty, Aurelia, and I shall find a gentleman who cares little for it.”
Aurelia laughed, the crease between her eyebrows fading. “You are not plain, Emmy!”
“I am certainly not beautiful, but I make up for it by being an excellent mistress.” Emmeline smiled back, relieved her sister had lost the mournful look in her eyes. “And you know, some gentlemen covet a practical lady.”
“Emmeline,” her mother said, half-laughing. “Do not talk about yourself so.”
“Or perhaps I will not marry and I will always keep you company.” Emmeline leaned in close to her mother and laid an affectionate hand on her shoulder. “I shall see Aurelia married to a prince who adores her and ensure that this house is always seen to.”
Her mother sighed, her thin shoulders sinking. “I should be sorry to see you go, I can admit that. Either of you. Choose your husbands wisely, my dears.”
Emmeline winked at Aurelia, who laughed and blushed. She knew her sister was the one likely to make a match, and Emmeline had long since made it her mission to ensure she did not accidentally marry a man who would make her unhappy. Aurelia, like their mother, paired beauty with sensitivity, and she was a timid girl, easily manipulated and convinced of things. What she needed was to find a kind gentleman who would love her for her sweetness and her kindness, and who would provide for her and care for her in the gentle way she required.
Onlythenwould Emmeline allow her to marry.
But at eighteen, Aurelia still had plenty of time in which to find a husband who would suit her.
Emmeline returned to her book and had just begun to get back into it when her father burst into the room. The sight of him was so unexpected that she practically dropped the novel to the floor.
