Page 50 of His Duchess in Disguise
“She is well, then?”
“She is as well as an old pony can possibly be. You have given her several more years of life by purchasing her, for I shall forever remember that it was she who introduced us.”
“She did? Oh, wait! Were you the tall man dressed in black? I couldn’t see you very well. All my attention was on that awful man who was hitting Beauty.”
“That awful man was a day laborer who doesn’t normally have much to do with horses. After you left, Sir Draper and I settled the horses down, and Captain Arnault bought them all.”
“He did? He recognized me, didn’t he?”
“He did. But he is a perfect gentleman, and he would never have given you away had not Matthew Blank twigged to your identity. Now, I do not want to surprise you or put you on the spot, but do you wish to meet the stranger who came looking for you as Miss Hoskins or as Miss Smith?
“Miss Hoskins, I guess. I mean, the secret is pretty much out, is it not?”
“I fear so. The man, whose name is Mr. Nob, asked a lot of questions in the village. It would be hard to keep your identity a secret now. Besides, it is pretty much all over London that your father has fallen on hard times.”
Emma nodded and swallowed, hard. “I guess I am not a very dutiful daughter.”
The Duke looked down at her. “What would have made you a dutiful daughter, Emma?”
“Marrying the Earl of Cleweme. But I just couldn’t. After Mrs. Pearthorne told me….” Then she stopped. “That was told to me in confidence. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“That he pressed her for favors when he learned that James Pearthorne was to go to France? Sadly, she is not the first. His behavior is well known.”
“I cannot think that he would stop doing such things after marriage. It is like Father and his gambling. Once someone gets a taste, they just can’t seem to stop. I would have always been embarrassed and ashamed.”
“I cannot find fault with your reasoning, Emma, nor do I think you should be condemned to such a marriage. However, I do believe that it is my good fortune that you have consented to be my wife.”
“Do you truly, Your Grace?”
“I do truly, Miss Emma Hoskins. You are a rare gem found among lesser stones.”
Emma felt her cheeks grow hot. “Thank you, Your Grace. I hope you continue to feel that way.”
“Come now, I did not mean to make you ill at ease. But I am beginning to feel better and better about our venture. So, chin up, m’lady. For you are the lady of the hour.”
They went into the dining room together and sat down at the head of the table. Captain Arnault sat at the Duke’s left as he had when she was serving the table, but Reggie had been moved down one place on the right to make room for Emma. Across the table from Reggie, a stranger in an austere black suit was seated, to his left, another stranger in faded, worn clothing. Robbie balanced the table on the other side, across from the stranger.
Captain Arnault gave her a nod and a wink, then greeted the Duke. “Ah, you sly fox. I see how it is. All you need to do is come home, and the prettiest of hens flies into your coop.”
“Mind your manners, Captain. This is not a barracks room nor a bordello,” the Duke growled.
“I meant no offense, Your Grace. I am merely wishing that such luck would come my way.”
Emma felt her face grow hot. Reggie, seated to her right, said, “Don’t pay any attention to him. He’s just a rough soldier.”
“Oh, you are a fine one to talk,” Captain Arnault said lightly. “You who were lately . . . Ow!”
“I believe the hunting is exceptionally fine on the chalk,” the Duke of Menhiransten said, keeping one booted foot firmly on Captain Arnault’s toe. “Mr. Hamilton’s assistant, Robbie, was able to contribute several fine hares for tonight’s dinner. Perhaps you could procure a pheasant or two tomorrow, Captain.”
“My officers would be glad to do so, Your Grace. Perhaps they could take Mr. Nob with them.”
“An excellent thought. Mr. Nob, I would like to make known to you Miss Hoskins. Miss Hoskins, the gentleman seated there below the salt is Mr. Nob, who was hired by your father to look for you.”
“I must ask you,” said Mr. Nob, “Are you here of your own free will? Have you been forced to come here?”
“Mr. Nob, I ran away from London, completely alone, and had the good fortune to arrive here. I am sorry if my father was worried, but I did not agree to wed the Earl of Cleweme and have no desire to do so now.”
“I’ll take your word for it, Miss Hoskins. I must say, you don’t look very much like the portrait your father had of you.”
