Page 26 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
Ann narrowed her eyes, placing hers on top of his and was led to the dance floor. Baffled, Emmeline and Lady Alford watched the couple smile at the onlookers, while arguing under their breaths as they danced.
“I am beginning to think those two like arguing,” Lady Alford remarked.
“And I have to agree,” Emmeline replied.
“You look lovely tonight, Lady Alford,” a deep voice said.
Emmeline smiled as Noah charmed her aunt into allowing three dances with her.
“I am appalled, Your Grace,” Emmeline joked. “Three dances!”
“If it was up to me, you’d not dance with any other,” Noah said somberly, as he held out his hand. “And are we back to formal address now,Lady Emmeline?”
“Of course not,Noah,” Emmeline said, blushing as she took his hand.
* * *
The emerald fabric brought out the green flecks in Emmeline’s expressive tawny eyes. She appeared to be genuinely happy around the Duke of Newberry, and he was charmed by her disarming smiles and humor.
“Where do you see yourself in the future, Emmeline?” Noah asked.
Emmeline paused, startled by his question. He watched her ponder as they swayed to the music.
“That is a very difficult question,” Emmeline said, surprise lacing her voice. “At this point, I cannot speculate.”
He laughed. “I thought you were going to say married, with children, and a happy home. Or something along those lines.”
“I have often thought myself to be peculiar,” Emmeline admitted. “I do wish to be in that position someday…although…” she faltered.
“Yes?” he prompted.
Emmeline looked away. “I wish to be married to one I can truly love, not only for money. After all, ‘what is gaining the whole world but losing your soul’?”
“I concur,” Noah replied, his gray eyes fastened on her golden ones. “Do you sense the glares aimed at our persons, Emmeline?”
“I am, and it’s really tiring to maintain this unaffected smile as we dance for all these stiff-necked onlookers!” Emmeline groaned. “I will have to massage my face tonight.”
“Do you do that each night?” Noah asked, his lips twitching.
“I have to. I really do wonder how their noses stay the same size when they poke them into everyone’s business,” Emmeline remarked. “If they enlarged like muscles when exercised, just imagine them banging into doors when they–”
Emmeline was unable to complete her sentence for Noah threw back his head and laughed. Tickled by the sound, she began laughing under her breath as well. The sound of his voice only sealed the notion that she was getting attached to him, the man who had been the bane of her existence.
“Would it be unseemly if I collapse on the floor right now?” she questioned.
Noah’s eyes glimmered, “Do not worry, I will carry you if you faint from all that laughter.”
Emmeline’s lips twitched. “Do refrain! You will never escape the scandal.”
Noah chuckled. “I am impervious to a scandal, but to not invite it, I think we will have to break the news to them slowly.”
Emmeline flushed. “What news?”
Noah was mysteriously silent until the dance ended. Emmeline was frustrated by an interruption from Noah’s friend Lord Bexley. Emmeline exchanged appropriate pleasantries with her host, and then was escorted to her aunt.
“I thought you believed him inappropriate for me?” Emmeline remarked to her Aunt.
Lady Alford was a flustered red. “He asked so nicely!”
