Page 27 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
“Admit it, Aunt, he flattered you,” Emmeline said slyly.
Lady Alford swatted her niece with her fan.
With each conversation with him that night, Emmeline realized how well suited she and Noah were for each other. She had begun to accept the beginnings of a deeper sentiment within her heart for the Duke of Newberry.
It seemed as if the stars shone brighter that night, the air felt cooler, and the flowers smelled sweeter than they had ever before. Ann shook her head at her friend’s preoccupation, having accompanied her to the balcony.
“I thought you were going to distance yourself,” Ann said reproachfully.
“Some things are uncontrollable,” Emmeline sighed dreamily.
“Unfortunately, they really are.” Ann muttered, “They really are, Em.”
* * *
The next afternoon, a huge picnic was prepared in the kitchens as the guests and their hosts walked to the lake. Ladies and gentlemen gossiped and exchanged news of their fellow peers, various fashions, and other common topics.
Emmeline caught Noah staring at her multiple times. Her cheeks were constantly rosy from the effect of receiving flowers delivered to her that morning. They were a beautiful mixture of colorful greenhouse blooms and wildflowers, with a note saying:You are lovelier, N.
It was apparent that Noah was a man of few words, yet those that he uttered or wrote meant something special. She had once envied the ladies who had suave gentlemen quote romantic poetry to sweeten them. Now, simple words felt more romantic than any lyrical rhyming verses could be.
The night before, she had been unable to sleep soundly, after constantly thinking about what Noah had said. What had he meant that they had to inform people slowly? Inform them of what?
Ann chattered happily with George as he watched her with adoration. Emmeline really hoped that her brother would marry Ann, for she was like a sister to her.
In the morning, Lord Bexley had received a new guest: Noah’s mother, the Duchess of Newberry. Nervous, Emmeline had avoided talking to Noah in her presence. Yet, she still discovered the Duchess’s eyes on her all too often.
“Dear me, I seem to have lost my right glove,” the Duchess said suddenly, as they settled at the picnic. “Will you help me look for it, Lady Emmeline?”
Bewildered, but smiling politely at Noah’s mother, Emmeline rose from the ground and accompanied the older lady. She had her reservations, as the Duchess could have asked a number of the other ladies. However, as Emmeline knew that she was being gossiped about with her son’s name tagged on, she had a good hunch she was being secreted away for a reprimand of some sort.
The Duchess of Newberry was not very striking, although she seemed to have a sweet disposition, yet, appearances could be deceiving. Emmeline was taken out of earshot and into the cover of trees nearby when they halted.
The Duchess turned to her, her face stern. “Lady Emmeline, I believe you are aware I did not bring you here to look for my glove.”
“I am. What do you wish to talk to me about, Your Grace?” Emmeline asked calmly. Apparently, Noah had inherited his direct manner from his mother.
“I shall come straight to the point. You seem to have set your cap on my son,” said the Duchess, her pale eyes scrutinizing her.
“You are ill-informed in that respect, Duchess, I have never in my life set my cap for anyone,” Emmeline said rigidly.
The Duchess’s lips thinned. “Even if that is true, you should know that my son is not suitable for you. You are a member of the Grant family, and a union between our families is impossible.”
“I am aware of the history between our families, Your Grace,” Emmeline said with respect, although her voice, too, was hard. “And so is your son. I believe you should trust your son’s judgment in the matter, as the original author of our fate.”
The Duchess opened her mouth to respond, then her irate expression suddenly altered to that of a beatific smile. “Noah.”
Noah had followed them, possibly expecting trouble. As her back was turned to him, Emmeline had more time to neutralize her expression than his mother had.
“This young lady was nice enough to offer to assist me in my search for my glove,” the Duchess said.
Noah gave her a white glove. “This was on the blanket where you were sitting, Mother.”
“Dear me! I believe I am getting old, son,” she exclaimed.
After thanking her son and apologizing to Emmeline for her trouble, the Duchess hurried away from them. Noah and Emmeline stared at one another for a moment. It was the first time she was alone with him, a little away from the rest of the world.
“What did my mother say to you?” Noah asked abruptly.
