Page 6 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
Emmeline smiled at the stoic man, “Please tell her to join me here, and ask Beth to bring in tea and cakes–especially those fruit tarts of Cook. Ann is partial to them.”
Inclining his head, Hudgins left, and she sat, smoothed the folds of her light green dress, and waited.
Ann entered the parlor, red cheeked and fiery haired. Emmeline rose and embraced her and then they sat together on a Grecian chaise lounge. As she had expected, her close friend was attired in one of her lovely lavender day gowns, looking beautiful as always.
“You look lovely,” Emmeline commented.
“Why, thank you! I ran into Lord Coombs on my way through Hyde Park today,” Ann said, her blue eyes twinkling. “He talked to me for a spell, but then I had to hurry here.”
Emmeline laughed, “So it is Lord Coombs this time?”
The daughter of a wealthy renowned merchant, Ann had enough contacts to avoid the dreaded fate of a wallflower. Her father was quite possessive of his only daughter; hence this was her first season in London, and she was enjoying it thoroughly. Perhaps too much, for she was smitten with a new gentleman every week. Many gentlemen, born with a title but led into bankruptcy by their sires, or by visiting gaming establishments all too often, were pursuing her incessantly.
“Yes, it is Lord Coombs this time–he is so adorable, Emmeline,” Ann gushed, “And he is most elegantly attired at all times!”
Emmeline shook her head as her thoughts strayed to a tall, dark man standing in a library, his once-aloof features slowly altering to that of mirth. “My dear friend, in truth, I am weary of the bright colors men prefer these days.”
“What is amiss today, Em? You seem quite preoccupied,” Ann asked, with both annoyance and curiosity in her tone. “You have that look in your eyes.”
Emmeline flushed under her friend’s scrutiny. “Oh, it is nothing, I was merely thinking about this gentleman…”
“A gentleman…whatgentleman?” Ann’s eyes widened. “You have never spoken about any gentleman before–so who is he?”
Blushing slightly, Emmeline told Ann about her encounter with the Duke of Newberry but left out the feelings that had emerged after.
“He is a Fitzroy?” Ann sighed, “But that is so romantic!”
“Nonsense, Ann,” Emmeline’s tone was flat. “This is not one of the Gothic novels we read. The enmity between our families is unalterable, and George would be angry if he heard of this.”
“George is as bad as one of those old biddies of theton. Possibly worse.” Ann rolled her eyes heavenward.
Emmeline shrugged. “I am certain that the Duke of Newberry is aware of the circumstances and would not even think of courting me.”
“You have never spoken this way of any gentleman before,” Ann remarked. “He sounds a bit rakish. I will ask Mother about him. If he is indeed notorious for ruining reputations, you will have to stay away from him.”
“I have not considered staying near him anyway,” Emmeline bristled.
“Oh, but if he is not a rake, you can, of course, pursue him!” Ann said devilishly.
“Ann, I have never pursued a man in my life,” Emmeline scowled.
“Maybe it is time you did.” Ann raised her delicate brows. “Of course, you would do it discreetly and in a way that even he will not realize.”
“I do not possess such talents as you,” Emmeline reminded her.
“Well, you are a fast learner, and besides, you are a beauty. Why would any man not court you?”
Emmeline shook her head, sure that Ann was confusing her own appeal with hers. She did not possess her friend’s vivid coloring, high spirits, or confident personality that appealed to gentlemen.
“I still cannot believe you did not meet me in the gardens at the Croxton Ball,” Emmeline said suddenly, “and just because you were too occupied with your dance partners.”
“Emmeline, I do not have one, buttwochaperones. And neither of them is as gullible as poor Lady Alford,” Ann said sourly.
Emmeline shook her head. She knew how difficult it was for Ann to avoid not only her mother but her mother’s paid companion, as well. “I believed we were going to discuss the particulars of our little adventure to Vauxhall Gardens,” Emmeline said, her brow furrowing. Vauxhall Gardens offered all sorts of entertainment, although young debutantes such as herself were technically not allowed to go there escorted or otherwise as the labyrinthine passages in the gardens were famous for trysts and illicit dealings.
“I have convinced Owen to take us to Vauxhall with him,” Ann told her.
“How did you accomplish that?” Emmeline asked.
