Page 33 of Their Brazen Countess
“I don’t understand.” She stood staring at him, confusion and distress playing out across her face.
“I’m in love with another man—”
Emily gasped in shock.
“—and a woman.” Arthur wanted to groan out loud as he voiced his truth. He’d denied it for so long because he knew the challenges loving a man created. He had a title to pass on. He needed to marry, sire heirs, yet he loved Linc.
He had yet to tell the man, but deep inside, he knew the truth.
“Oh, dear.” Emily stepped back and flailed for the nearest chair.
Seeing her need to sit, Arthur grabbed her arm and helped her find her seat. She’d gone most pale.
He knelt at her side. “Em, are you well?” Blast, he shouldn’t have told her.
“I’m fine. I’ve been a bit under the weather lately. Nothing serious.” She tried to put him off.
“Lady Emmaline Brougham, you will not sit here, demand my secrets, and expect me to accept such a vague response.” Still kneeling, he looked up into her face. “Tell me what is wrong.”
She smiled sweetly. “Nothing is wrong, it is just…I am with child.”
Arthur grinned. “A baby?”
“Yes.” She smiled back. “A baby. We think he or she will arrive just in time for Christmas.”
“Congratulations!” He hugged her close. “What wonderful news!”
His sister’s joy beamed from her face. “It is, but we haven’t told anyone. You’re the first.” Her face grew stern. “And you are sworn to secrecy until we formally announce the news.”
“My lips are sealed. But I am truly happy for you.”
“Thank you. Now tell me about this man—and woman you are in love with.” His little sister was already acting more like a mother, focusing on the important things. Her child would be well cared for, and most importantly, loved.
Arthur sighed and stood up. “I’m in love with Linc.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” His sister sounded genuinely happy for him.
“It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with how I feel. It’s not how we were raised. It’s not even legal.” He let those words hang in the air for a moment. “But I can’t deny how I feel, though I haven’t told him yet.”
“Do you think he suspects?” she asked gently.
“I’ve just come to a place where I can admit the truth. It’s been difficult for me and I didn’t want to say something I didn’t truly mean or that I felt I might wish to take back later.”
“You have become a very thoughtful person. I am sure he will be glad to know you waited until you were certain.” Emily was not at all appalled, it seemed. “Now, who is this woman?”
Arthur fell into his seat. “We met her last January and the three of us fell in love. She was a widow, with her own fortune, but her father forced her to marry a peer for his title. I tried to offer for her, but I was too late.”
“Oh, no!” His sister empathized with him in a way that soothed his still ragged soul.
“She is married now, with a child. There is no hope we might all be together, so Linc and I are trying to find what happiness we can together.” Arthur shrugged. “So I dance with ladies at balls, and truthfully, we have looked for someone who might stir those feelings in us again. But as of yet, we have not found anyone.”
“Oh Arthur.” His sister stood and went to him. Pulling him up and out of his chair as she wrapped her arms around him. “I am both happy and sad for you. I am thrilled you have found someone to love, but sad you lost the woman you both embraced.”
“Thank you. As you can imagine, it is imperative that you keep this to yourself. I’m trying to find the right time to tell Linc how I feel, and well, with her, there is no hope.” His heart pounded in his chest as though he’d been galloping across the countryside.
“Of course. Your secret is safe with me. After everything we’ve been through? I should think I’ve proven I’m quite capable of keeping secrets.” His sister gave him a pointed look.
“Indeed you have, my little jewel thief.” A sigh of relief escaped him. Now he just had to figure out how and when to tell Linc.
