Page 5 of Married Off by the Duke
“Too close.”
He lurched into the opposite seat. Emma couldn’t help but feel slighted. Was being close to her truly so off-putting?
This was the outcome you intended.
“I’ll open the window.” She fumbled with the latch. “I’m quite fond of this new dress; I wouldn’t like to see it ruined if you cast up your accounts.”
“I won’t do that,” he insisted gruffly. The air wafting in carried odors of manure, soot, and dead animals. Still, it helped. The gray-green pallor gradually receded from the duke’s skin.
“I’m glad you like the dress,” he said after a long silence.
“I don’t, particularly.” Emma did, but she wasn’t about to admit it.
Wear this, do that, act like a lady at all times. Be quiet and forgettable, but memorable enough to attract a decent suitor.
What an impossible balancing act was expected of women.
If I had my own money—my rightful money—I wouldn’t have to pretend to be something I’m not.
But she didn’t, and so she did.
“You literally said you didn’t want me to ruin it because you liked it.”
“Just because I don’t want you to soil my new dress doesn’t mean I enjoy wearing said garment.”
He stared out the window for several moments. Emma had the sinking sense that she’d been the bigger arsehole during this particular skirmish.
“We’re here,” he declared stiffly after a long silence.
“I have eyes, Your Grace.”
Her guardian sighed. Emma couldn’t blame him. She was, after all, being intentionally difficult. That was her plan. Why, then, did she feel bad that it was working?
The more he hated her, the sooner he would release her. She just had to grit her teeth and continue being as obnoxious to him as possible.
But tonight, he wasn’t making it easy. He wasn’t being his usual controlling self. He was almost being…nice.
It was very upsetting.
When the carriage halted, Max snapped, “See that you don’t embarrass me this evening, Miss Willis. We are here to introduce you to a man I believe would be an appropriate match for a lady of your station. He is of good character.”
“Judge Adkins.”
“Yes. You are to smile, laugh, and most importantly, do not insult him. If you can manage to go fifteen minutes without saying anything inappropriate. I confess I have my doubts.” Max glanced out the window. “Once that task is accomplished, we shall depart before you can ruin your chances by sharpening your rapier wit on the poor man, or any other potential suitors. Understood?”
“You’re optimistic to think there will be one suitor, much less a second.”
She stepped down from the carriage without taking his proffered hand.
CHAPTER 4
There was no reason whatsoever to feel put out—however mildly—that Emma had captivated The Honorable Mr. Adkins, a high court judge. Yes, he had children who were older than Miss Willis, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. The man was well settled and could afford to overlook her illegitimate birth and pathetic dowry.
Miss Willis tipped her face up and laughed. Jealousy spiked within him.
Max tried to remember a time when he’d ever heard Emma laugh before. He couldn’t. Not once in all the years of their acquaintance. She wasn’t humorless. She just never smiled when he was around.
Tonight, her smile lit up the entire room. Pretty didn’t begin to describe it. He hadn’t meant for that compliment to slip out, but it was true. When she wasn’t sulking like a surly adolescent, Emma was captivating.
