Page 46 of Shining Knight
The duke looked down at his hands. Her aunt’s eyes filled with tears. “I am sorry, Genie,” she said, her throat choking on her words and rising, she hurried from the room.
The duke looked up. “I had not intended for that to happen, my lady. Seeing your aunt again brought back something lost long ago.”
“Then you should take that rare second chance given to you,” she replied.
He gave her a thoughtful nod. “Would you at least let me openly court you for a time until the scandal blows over?”
Eugenia was quite taken aback by that proposition. It was very unexpected.
“That is rather a good idea, Genie, if you will not marry him in truth.” Edmund finally gave his opinion.
“This is not just a ploy to change my mind, sir?” Her eyes strayed to Graham’s; he was lurking in the corner again. He made a little half shrug with his shoulder, but it seemed as though there was hurt in his eyes. She frowned.
“Why do we not all close ranks at Almack’s tomorrow night?” Farnsworth suggested. “No one will dare snub Lady Eugenia in the presence of two dukes.”
Eugenia could barely stop the groan from escaping her mouth. She loathed the insipid Assembly Rooms as much as any gentleman did. “That will certainly put all of the cards out on the table.”
“There is nowhere better to dispel rumors and garner support,” Rowley agreed reluctantly. Eugenia had no doubt he would rejoice more than any other once she finally wed—if she ever did wed. He hated London and he had never known how to handle her. She felt for him, she truly did. How could he be expected to understand her when she could not explain her actions to anyone—let alone herself—most of the time.
“Eugenia, will you agree to this?” Emma asked kindly.
“What choice do I have? However, if the plan does not work quickly, I beg that I be allowed to have some time away, to be by myself.” She looked at her brother with grim purpose.
He looked back long enough that she had to struggle not to squirm, but gave a reluctant nod. “We will discuss the terms of that request later.”
Farnsworth went to shake Rowley’s hand and then left, presumably to seek out her aunt.
Emma, Cecilia, and Isabella, her brothers’ wives, came towards her. “We must make sure you look absolutely perfect tomorrow night,” Emma said, beginning to lead her from the room. Eugenia turned and saw Graham still watching her from the corner. He raised his brows at her in question, but she looked away quickly before she did something they would both regret. Curse him for putting that thought into her head, she reflected miserably, because now it was all she could think about.
She hated being the family’s project, but it seemed inevitable.
“Now I have fulfilled Rowley’s prophecy for me,” she said as they all entered her room and she dropped onto the chaise longue.
Eugenia knew that the sisters were just trying to distract her from the doldrums. She had never worn that emotion well, regardless of the gravity of the situation. She played her part as best she knew how, but she was very likely the worst actress of her entire family. It would have served her well many times had it been otherwise.
Alas, she knew that charade would never work.
“This purple,” Emma remarked, holding up Eugenia’s favorite dress.
“I wore it a week ago,” she remarked sadly.
“’Tis too fresh in Society’s minds, then,” Emma said and went back into the dressing room.
“Perhaps something more demure?” Cecilia asked tactfully as she followed Emma.
Isabella sat next to Eugenia and took her hand. “Try not to worry. We will not let you marry anyone horrid. Was there anyone you had eyes for before?”
Eugenia blew out a breath and shrugged. “Lord Perth.”
“The one who proposed and then withdrew?” Her voice was laden with disgust.
Eugenia could only nod. What would people say when they discovered she had been jilted?
“That will never do,” Isabella said, wrinkling her brow.
Cecilia and Emma strode back into the room, holding a pretty blue silk gown that Eugenia had not seen before.
“This one is perfect,” Emma said holding it up.
