Page 10 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
“Of course. Of course it is, but do not fight it. The mind knows what it wants just as well as the heart, and perhaps it is telling you that you are ready for a new chapter. That is all.”
Adam nodded as they entered the entrance hall, handing off their coats and red in the face from the frigid air.
“When did the blasted weather become so unaccommodating?” Lionel asked irritably, blowing into his hands and stamping his feet.
“I am going to get back to my warm chambers, and I shall see you at dinner,” Adam said with a happier smile and Lionel watched him leave with what felt like hope in his chest.
A part of him was thrilled. Lady Emilia Sterling was a beautiful and talented woman. Lionel could not think of a better potential partner for his cousin but was under no illusions that he could expect anything from it.
For Adam, the world of love was a distant memory.
***
Emilia and Charlotte had repaired to Emilia’s room to prepare for the ball.
Charlotte had brought a multitude of brooches and jewellery with her, which Emilia was admiring as she attempted to stop her hands from shaking.
Despite her worries and fears about socialising with so many strangers, Emilia could not deny that she was excited, too. The two of them had not attended a ball of such a large size together for many years, and the room was heavy with nervous energy.
To distract herself, Emilia had been telling Charlotte of the earl’s strange behaviour that afternoon.
“What do you think he meant by it?” Charlotte mused.
Emilia loved her for many reasons, but the main one was that she was not a silly, giggling girl. Charlotte was reserved and measured in all things and never allowed herself to get carried away with idiotic fantasies.
“I do not know,” Emilia replied. “He was watching me play, and then he turned away and almost ran from the room. What doyouthink it could mean?”
“I have heard you play many times, and you have quite enraptured me on several occasions. He may simply have admired your talents, of which there are many.”
Charlotte pushed a beautiful pearl-encrusted comb into her hair and raised her eyebrows at Emilia for her opinion. Emilia nodded in approval, and Charlotte smiled demurely, happy that her friend seemed eager for the ball despite her concerns about how she would be received.
Emilia looked very lovely in a deep red gown that exactly matched the tiny bows she had placed in her hair. Charlotte watched her carefully in the mirror, considering what she had told her of the earl. She found herself intrigued.
It had been so many months since her friend had received even the slightest sniff of a prospect that they rarely spoke of men at all. Now, hearing of the earl’s wide-eyed gaze and apparent interest, Charlotte was overjoyed for her friend. She did not wish to get carried away by the feeling, but it was encouraging nonetheless.
“Mama has asked me to perform this evening,” Emilia added nervously.
“Well, that is wonderful, and so she should. You are by far the best pianist in the country,” Charlotte said earnestly as Emilia rolled her eyes in the mirror.
“She has only asked me in order to impress Lord Elderbridge,” Emilia said wearily, eyeing her friend nervouslyfor any sign that Charlotte might have changed her mind about the match.
Charlotte glanced at her in the mirror's reflection and pursed her lips disapprovingly. “Mm. Do you think you could play everything in a minor keyor dispense with every other note, perhaps? That might very well deter him.”
“His daughters already hold me in deep disdain,” Emilia said miserably.
“As much as I do not want you to marry the man, his daughters do notknowyou,” Charlotte insisted. “Anyone who knows you loves you; it is to their detriment if they are uninterested in getting acquainted with you. I imagine in any other circumstances, you would get on very well together.”
Both women stepped back to admire their finished ensembles in the mirror. Charlotte held out her hand to Emilia, and she took it as Charlotte fixed her with a stern glare.
“Remember the talent and strength you hold when you sit at the piano. That is all you should focus on. Tonight is an opportunity to perform again, nothing else. Do not think of the audience; think of your love of music. It has been a long time since you embraced playing again; let this be your chance to regain the joy you find in it.” Charlotte smirked. “And do not focus on your audience. Focus on yourself. Although I will admit that your admirer is by far the most handsome man in the room, second only to his cousin.”
Emilia watched Charlotte blush and laughed. “Lionel Spencer?” she asked teasingly, and Charlotte lifted her chin primly and waved her off as though it were nothing. “I had no idea you were interested in prospective suitors until the season begins.”
“The marriage mart?” Charlotte exclaimed. “What rot! I merely said he washandsome. There are plenty of handsome men who are exceptionally stupid. He may not have any brainsin his head; that is much more likely, and you know I cannot abide a bore.”
Emilia snorted and shook her head as they headed downstairs together. It was the first ball of the Christmas period for her mother, and despite their strained relationship, Emilia was anxious that it went smoothly.
She tried to do as Charlotte had instructed, focusing on her performance and the fluttering of anticipation she felt ahead of it. But Emilia could not deny that a particular pair of piercing eyes were never far from her thoughts.
