Page 28 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
“How did you know?” Emmeline studiously avoided his gaze.
“I know my mother,” Noah said, “And besides, her forced expression of delight was not very convincing.”
“She means well,” Emmeline said softly.
“Tell me what she said,” Noah demanded.
Pressing her hand on Noah’s chest–a daring move–she spoke quietly, “She told me that I am not suited for you, as our families are at war.”
Noah’s gray eyes looked both tortured and angered as he took her hand and kissed the back of it, “I apologize. She was very attached to my father, and I am the most precious legacy that he left behind.”
Emmeline did not respond. What could she say exactly?
“Fear not, my Lady. Let people say what they must,” Noah murmured to her. They had almost reached the lake where others were present. “Do not pay heed to them.”
“They have a point, Noah,” whispered Emmeline. “Where do you see this going?”
“Do not you know?” he asked.
“Not definitively,” she replied, “I kept running over your words from last night, and the ones before it, but the one conclusion I could come to was, this is…insane.”
“Then it is insane, as I am courting you.” With that statement, Noah discreetly ran his thumb over her hand and walked to Lord Bexley.
Ann looked at her questioningly. She sat beside her once again and pressed her hand to her beating heart. Emmeline shook her head, keeping an eye on Noah’s mother, whose stares became more thoughtful than condescending.
Chapter 8
A Hidden Talent
At twilight, the group gathered around the pianoforte to be entertained by various ladies who played well. Emmeline had a talent for the instrument, skillfully altering the notes with her nimble fingers.
It was one of the talents society preferred young ladies to possess. However, most of the young ladies, in Noah’s opinion, did not like the instrument nor played well enough. Emmeline’s notes were clear, pleasing to the ears, and he could see many approve of her skill.
Miss Benwick was gifted with a beautiful voice and sangThe Turban’d Turk.Noah, however, was fascinated by Emmeline’s regal form as she beautifully played the pianoforte. Noah had caught an inkling of the attraction between them when he spotted Ann’s and George’s interactions at the last few balls. Now, seeing how the young lady shivered when her eyes met Leverton’s smoldering eyes during the last verse, Noah was sure.
A fitting match,Noah thought smugly.
When the call for another round of singers came, Noah volunteered and took Ian to sing along with him. The look of concentration on Emmeline’s face was enrapturing to him, to the point that he didn’t want to leave when the song ended until his friend gave him a pointed look and excused them both, taking him to the card room for port and Whist.
“Noah, I believe you have developed an affliction,” Ian teased, once inside the room.
Henry, who was passing by, smirked. “I told you, did I not?”
“You behave like untried lads,” Noah grumbled as he took his drink.
“She is lovely,” remarked Ian. “If you had not chosen her, I would have pursued her for her music alone.”
“Well, you cannot now,” Noah told him.
Ian chuckled. “If you do not wed her…” he stopped in mid-sentence at Noah’s scathing glare.
“You need to relax, Noah!” Henry remarked to the tense Duke.
The gentlemen began playing a game of Whist while drinking and conversing with each other. Many ladies, including Emmeline, were discussed that evening. Noah discovered how many bachelors were willing to court her, displeased at the fact that he had to take matters slowly if he wanted to succeed in marrying her.
His mother had become a complication. The Duchess did not approve of Noah’s interest in Emmeline. Earlier that evening, she had gently endeavored to explain the repercussions to him if he did try to court her, his grandmother the Dowager Duchess as the main one. He had, of course, as gently reminded her that he was not a little lad and he was capable of selecting a wife himself.
Noah realized that Duke Leverton’s eyes narrowed every time Miss Benwick was mentioned, as well. She was considered a raving beauty, and an accomplished lady. The loud remarks made at her unattached status, as the gentlemen drank more than they ought to, irked Noah.
