Page 19 of A Duke Reformed
Cecilia sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "There's a gentleman," she revealed, fiddling with her fingers. "He's been... persistent. No matter how much I try to avoid him, he always seems to find a way to cross my path. At balls, at the park, even at the lending library. It's as if he's everywhere I go and he won't leave me alone."
Emma's brow furrowed and she sat up. "Who is he? Has he done anything improper?"
"No, he..." Cecilia stuttered.
"Cecilia, tell me the truth. Do not leave anything out," Emma insisted, leaning forward. "Who is this man?"
"It's Lord Pearlton, the Earl," she answered. "He's not exactly unfriendly, but he's not... warm either. He's just... there. Always there. He always tries to talk to me, even when I'm clearly trying to avoid him. He'll stand too close, or steer me away from others, as if he doesn't want me talking to anyone else. It's... uncomfortable. I don't like it."
Emma's jaw tightened. "Have you told him politely that you're not interested?"
Cecilia nodded. "I have. But he just smiles and says he's willing to wait. He says he's certain I'll come around eventually."
Emma stared at her sister, as a mixture of shock and frustration bubbled up inside her. She massaged her nape, trying to figure out what to do. "Cecilia, why didn't you come to me with this sooner? You shouldn't have to deal with this on your own. I'm your sister and chaperone. If I had known you were uncomfortable around him, I wouldn't have let him have that much access to you."
Cecilia's gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her skirt. "I... I didn't want to bother you. You've already been dealing with so much."
"You have to stop thinking like that Cecilia," Emma cautioned her. "Let me pick my own battles."
"I know, but I just didn't want to add to your burdens because I thought it would go away. I felt guilty, Emma. Guilty about everything that's happened, and I didn't want to put more on your plate."
Emma's chest tightened, her frustration melting into something softer. She reached across the carriage, taking Cecilia's hand in hers. "Cecilia, you're never a burden. Never. I'm your sister, and it's my job to look out for you. You don't have to carry everything on your own. That's what I'm here for."
"I did tell Papa about it," Cecilia said. "I thought he would be in a better position to tell the earl off, but he did nothing. That's the reason we quarreled this morning."
"What?" Emma asked. "You told Papa about it and he did nothing?"
"He encouraged me to court him," Cecilia said and rolled her eyes. "He said the gentleman comes from a good family, and that it would be a... a beneficial match."
Emma's breath caught. "Hewhat?" she asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. "He encouraged you to court a man who makes you uncomfortable? A man who won't take no for an answer?"
"He said I was being too sensitive. That the gentleman's persistence is a sign of his... admiration. But I don't want to encourage him. I just want him to leave me alone."
Emma's jaw tightened and her hands clenched into fists in her lap. She felt a surge of fury at their father. How could he be so blind? So careless with his own daughter's feelings? It hurt more because he wasn't always like this. He had changed over the years. Slowly, but surely.
"I think Papa's silent approval is also giving Lord Pearlton confidence too," Cecilia added.
"I'll talk to Papa," Emma said to her. "You need not worry. If Lord Pearlton is making you uncomfortable, Papa will put a stop to it. He may not always show it, but he cares about your well-being."
"Thank you." Cecilia managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. Her expression shifted as she glanced at Emma with a hint of curiosity. "Speaking of difficult men... how are your lessons with the duke going?"
Emma blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "My lessons?" she repeated. "They're... going well I suppose. Today, he managed to hold a conversation with a viscount for ten minutes. That's progress in my books."
Cecilia laughed and shook her head. "I cannot believe that you are teaching a grown man how to speak in public without insulting anyone."
"Tell me about it," Emma said, rolling her eyes. "But at least he's trying. Sort of."
"I reckon he might enjoy your company as well," Cecilia added. "The more I see it, the more I realize that you are probably the only friend he has."
Emma groaned. "Not you too, Cecilia. I have already had Lavinia and Alice teasing me about this. Let's just leave this odd relationship that we have at a professional level."
Cecilia held up her hands in mock surrender. "All right, all right. I'll stop. But for what it's worth, I think you're doing a wonderful job with him. And thank you for all that you do for the family."
Emma sighed, though she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Thank you, Cecilia. I'll remind myself of that the next time he calls me ‘Ducky'."
"Ducky!" Cecilia gasped, laughing out loud. "Ducky? He calls you Ducky?"
Emma couldn't help but laugh too. "I don't think he means to." She giggled. "At least, I hope he doesn't. It's just... the way he says it. Like it's the most natural thing in the world. I don't know, but one thing I do know is that it is infuriating."
