Page 48 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
Emmeline felt the man's heat, and the soft breaths on her cheek. She was released for a spin, which she executed perfectly while trying to not laugh in delight. When she was pulled in to a hard chest, Emmeline’s breath evaporated.
Noah’s warm palm cupped her cheek, and Emmeline’s hand lifted to press against it.
“I had feared you were a dream,” she admitted, “A passing fantasy that I had imagined. I am lonely, Noah. My brother hates me, Ann is gone, and from the lack of calls, I assume what I’ve done with you, my brother, and Ann made the front pages of theton’sscandal sheets. I see no break in this gloom.”
“I’m here,” Noah replied while pressing his nose into Emmeline’s loose hair.
“But you won’t be here all the time,” Emmeline replied, “This reprieve will not last forever–which is what I’m hoping our lives would be.”
“Do not give up hope. I will find a way to fix this.”
Why does it have to be you? I can have a hand in this, too.
“I just fear we don’t have much more time,” Emmeline replied. “When George deigns to speak to me, he reminds me how your reputation is sullied with the murder of St. Maur, and how unfit you are to be a member of the peerage. Which reminds me, how is the investigation going? I keep fretting about it but I don’t dare send you a letter.”
Noah sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face, “Glacial, my dear, they have no new leads. And any lead they get pans out into a dead end. The one latitude I am given is that the seconds I had with me, and the coachman, are witnesses that I had no hand in killing him.”
Emmeline pressed her lips together briefly, “That’s good then, isn’t it?”
“If you look at it that way,” Noah replied tightly. “Some of my investors haven’t come forward lately, and many of my tenants are lacking, but I will make a way through.”
Wrapping her arms around herself, Emmeline said, “I love you, Noah. Please forgive me for not saying it outright. I was terrified–all this is new to me. I haven’t ever felt an assault on my emotions so strongly. I am still amazed.”
Noah was a bit somber, “It scares me, too. But as I said, there is no life without a thrill.”
Smiling, Emmeline drew closer to him just as someone knocked on her door. Spinning around, Emmeline called out, “Who is it?”
“It is I.” George’s stiff voice called out only to make her heart race, “I have returned from London, bearing a box of the chocolates you like. Will you open the door?”
Facing Noah, Emmeline kissed his cheek softly, “Go, I will come to you the next time.”
Nodding, Noah nimbly swung over the balustrade and Emmeline waited until he was halfway down before she mussed her hair and disheveled her robe.
Answering the door, she spotted George’s discomfited form as he stood there. “Here,” said he, “I was passing by Madame Bordeaux’s shop when I remembered these are your favorites.”
Taking the box Emmeline smiled–she knew this was her brother’s way of apologizing, “Thank you.”
George was halfway through his turn to leave when he stopped and spun around with a narrow-eyed look, “Emmeline, why is your balcony door open at this hour?”
Quelling her fright, Emmeline casually turned, “I cannot say, Brother. Maybe I left it open this eve.”
The Duke pushed her away slightly and strode to the balcony with determined steps. Emmeline’s heart was pounding so strongly her head started to hurt, but if she tried to stop him, she knew it would look suspicious. She could only hope and pray that Noah was gone already.
George leaned on the balustrade and peered over, his sharp eyes scanning the walls and the lawn below. Emmeline felt fainter with every passing moment and only gasped in a breath when her brother pulled back. He swiftly shut the door and secured it.
“Do not let that happen again,” George replied. “Good night, Sister.”
Sinking to her chaise, Emmeline grasped the box with bloodless fingers. Her body was flashing hot and cold, and her mind was racing.
This has to stop!she cried to herself.This madness must stop!
Getting up, Emmeline tottered to her vanity and braced herself on the edges as she stared at herself in the mirror. “And it will end.”
Chapter 16
Once There’s a Will
Emmeline was having a light breakfast when Hudgins, the butler, knocked and entered, “Forgive me for interrupting your breakfast, Lady Emmeline, but I have a letter for you.”
