Page 19 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
“Yes, Papa, but who would wish to be tainted by it? When Joselyn Mortimer was disgraced, I had to cut her from my circle. And she was mydearestfriend,” Sophia stated.
Emilia recognised that tone. It was the sort of thing people said when the subject of their conversation was notdearat all.
“It depends upon the nature of the scandal,” the duke concluded dismissively. “Many are overblown.”
Emilia wasn’t sure if he thought he was helping her with that comment, but she hated it all the same. It could not be acoincidence that the topic had been raised within her earshot. She did not wish to actively think ill of people, but his daughters appeared to be making a deliberate point for her benefit.
Two years before, the duke’s defence of her might have been a touching thing to hear. But now, his comments on her apparent loss of virtue made her hackles rise.
I do not need defending because I have done nothing wrong. If the vultures in society had not listened to Henrietta, I would not have had to endure this idiocy.
She wished she could say something, even stand and address them haughtily, and then stalk out of the room. But she knew it would be pointless—the only person she would end up injuring would be herself.
Across the table, Charlotte observed her friend trying to keep her own temper in check. The duke’s daughters really did seem to be the worst type of women. So far, Charlotte had seen nothing but cynical looks, unpleasant commentary, and superiority from the lot of them.
Charlotte had always admired Emilia for her resilience in weathering the cruel storm that had swirled about her for so long. As their gazes met, she raised her eyebrows in a silent query to ensure that Emilia was alright, but her friend merely shook her head in reply.
Charlotte’s eyes were drawn to the man to Emilia’s right, his gaze occasionally flicking over to the duke’s daughters with what looked like veiled annoyance.
Charlotte had been quite mistaken in her dismissal of him. Lionel Spencer was anything but a simpleton. He was intelligent, witty, very handsome and altogether the type of man she enjoyed spending time with.
However, Charlotte felt a shudder of something foreign and alarming as she looked at him.
Her mother and father had told her many times that her conduct was the reason she had never attracted a man in her first season. Indeed, she had had no prospects for the majority of the summer and no callers. Charlotte’s fingers clenched around her knife and fork as she recalled the endless days, sitting beside her mother upon the settee, waiting for visitors who never came.
She stared down at her plate, scolding herself for her wayward thoughts.
What would a man like Lionel Spencer see in the likes of me?
***
As the dinner concluded and the party dispersed, many of the ladies appeared relieved to part from the gentlemen for a while. The men made their way to the billiards room, while the ladies withdrew to the drawing room.
Unfortunately, Emilia found herself seated beside Sophie and Penelope again, and her mother was nowhere to be found. Emilia was suddenly isolated and alone amidst a group of strangers, and Penelope took full advantage, turning to her sister pointedly as she glanced at Emilia.
“I saw the Countess of Blackmoor at the Yule Ball a few days ago.”
Emilia’s spine went rigid.
“Oh, she is the kindest creature in the world,” Sophia replied. “I adore the balls that she arranges; they are the best events of the season.” Sophia turned to Emilia. “Did you attend the ball, Lady Emilia?”
Emilia felt as though she were looking down the barrel of a musket, and every single eye in the room had turned to stare at her.
The absolute audacity of Penelope. She was likely not even old enough to know of the scandal; she would only have heard of it from her sister.
“Sadly, not,” Emilia managed, “we were unable to attend as my father was out of the country.”
“What a pity. I understood you were acquainted with the countess.”
Sophia was playing a dangerous game; even Emilia knew that. The embarrassment was all her own, but openly discussing a scandal in such a way was generally frowned upon. TheTonwere much more comfortable speaking behind aperson’s back than challenging them outright. But Sophia was clever enough to keep her tone innocent and light. It was clever; even Emilia had to admit that.
“I am acquainted with her,” Emilia said. She was tempted to add, ‘and her son, Lord Julian,’ to see if Sophia recoiled behind her barb, but she knew that would be beyond foolish.
“Yes, I am sure she has mentioned your name to me,” Sophia added, her eyes narrowing as though trying to remember. “And, of course, she is a great friend of Papa’s, and he values her opinion above all others.”
Emilia nodded, unable to speak. Was this girl honestly referring to her connection with the duke before they had even spent a full day together? She must have nerves of steel.
Or perhaps she simply does not care.
