Page 32 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
Come on Emmeline,she chided herself as she took the square formation,nothing untoward will happen tonight. Noah knows more than to be a scoundrel.
The dance started, and for the love of God, Emmeline could not remember her partner’s name. It was possibly Pettigrew or Pierre or Poindexter–all she knew was that the man’s name started with P.
When the dance finished, she graciously thanked him, and with a courtesy went to the refreshment room. An attendant poured her a goblet of water and Emmeline stood, in almost crippling anxiety, for what was coming next.
Other couples came in and drank punch or nibbled on a treat, speaking mostly to the ones they came with. Emmeline was grateful that she was ignored. A bit fortified, Emmeline slipped out of the room and, using Lord Bexley’s instructions, went to the powder room at the end of the hallway.
She stood at the doorway of the room, looking all around for Noah but did not see anyone. Had Noah played a trick on her? Where was he? She did not doubt that Lord Bexley's words were true, so what was happening?
Then the door opened, and Emmeline jumped a little. Inside was the Duchess of Newberry, who reached out and tugged Emmeline inside. The door was closed tightly, and the young lady’s heart was pounding so loudly her ears were ringing.
“Your Gr–”
“Lady Emmeline,” the Duchess cut in brusquely, “do you love my son?”
Emmeline grabbed at the door behind her as her heart raced even more. Where was this coming from? Hadn’t the Duchess already told her that their union was doomed from the start? Wasn’t she supposed to be ignored? What was this?
“Answer me, Lady Emmeline,” the older lady ordered, “do you or do you not love my son?”
Finding some strength within her, Emmeline nodded before she cleared her throat and spoke, “I do, Your Grace.”
The lady’s stare was hard, “What would you do to be with him, Lady Emmeline? Would you forsake your family and position? Would you do away with pomp and pageantry for a chance to be with whom you love?”
The questions hit her hard and though Emmeline was confused she answered, “Yes, Madam, I would give all in my power for his love.”
The Duchess stared her in her eyes. “You’d give everything?”
Now Emmeline was getting scared, but she knew the Duchess would never hurt her, “Yes, Madam.”
The lady did not relax. “If you are determined to be with my son, you must listen to every word I say…”
* * *
Emmeline left the powder room with her head spinning in circles. The Duchess had left just moments before, and Emmeline was still digesting the words the lady had spoken.
She stepped further down the hallway, still in a daze, when a deep voice called her name. Spinning around, Emmeline spotted Noah coming towards her. The light seemed to be sucked in his dark dress coat, fitted pants, and low waistcoat. His cravat was a shining white, throwing his ruddy complexion off in a drastic contrast.
“Noah,” Emmeline said, “You’re here.”
The Duke sighed lightly, “I am. I apologize for making you wait. A conversation with Lord Williams delayed me, and though I tried to escape him without being rude, he brushed my excuses off, until, suddenly he glanced at his pocket watch and relieved me of his monotone drivel.”
Impeccable timing, isn’t it?Emmeline thought wryly.
“Lord Bexley told me that you needed to speak with me,” Emmeline hedged, for in truth she did not know why Noah had requested to see her.
Noah reached out and grasped her hand–one that Emmeline hated to admit was so clammy under her white glove. “I do, but not here. Come with me.”
The Duke led them up the stairs, across the landing, and onto a balcony. The ledge was just above the ballroom and soft strains of the music from below wafted up to them.
Noah grasped her softly, pulled her into his arms, and started dancing with her slowly. Emmeline forced herself to fix this night with Noah in her mind, and not focus on what the Duchess of Newberry had spoken to her about.
Resting her head on his chest, Emmeline breathed in the fresh scent of his clothes, and the tiny hint of perfume coming from the handkerchief in his inner pocket. Noah’s body was solid, and he held her with such surety that Emmeline prayed that she could feel his touch for the rest of her life.
The dance stopped, and Noah plucked the rose from her hair. She tilted her head to see the Duke’s long fingers twirl the flower.
“A rose,” Noah remarked, “A fitting flower for someone as pure as you are. Your thorns, My Lady, are also present, but after being pierced with them, I have found that I am a glutton for the pain they bring, and I would have it no other way.”
The words he was saying only enhanced the anxiety inside her and her stomach felt in turmoil. She felt the next words he was going to speak would test her.
