Page 32 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
She wondered how old Lord Bellebrook’s late wife had been and what sort of a woman she was.
“Here you are,” the duke said, handing her a crystal glass. “Fruit cordial. I remember it is your favourite.”
He had seen her drinking it once not two days before, and Emilia was finding it more and more difficult to retain the smile on her face.
“Pray tell me, your Grace, you have six daughters, is that correct?”
“Indeed I do. Bertha and Miriam have been married for some years. Eliza was married last June and lives not too far from here.”
Emilia nodded but was increasingly aware of eyes moving toward them from around the room. Lady Pinkerton nodded to her with a beaming smile.
Everyone can see his intentions toward me when he stands beside me like this. This is torture!
“Would you do me the honour of a dance, my Lady?”
Cornered and unable to refuse, Emilia had no choice but to take his hand. She prayed that she might fall awkwardly andsprain her ankle, but the duke’s arm was firm and confident against hers, keeping her well-supported.
As the duke led her to the floor, she saw Lord Spencer and Charlotte were at the other end of the line with Lord Bellebrook and Lady Seraphina making up another pairing.
Emilia’s chest tightened horribly as she looked at Adam and Seraphina. All the hopes and fantasies she had entertained over the last few days seemed impossibly foolish now she saw him standing up with another. They made a very attractive pair.
As the dance began, Emilia noted that her mother had chosen a set that required no movements between partners. She, therefore, had to endure endless prattle from the duke about her accomplishments, how much he adored the pianoforte, and how his daughters had enjoyed it, too.
Thankfully, Sophia was the only one dancing and was some way from them. Emilia was spared her scoffs of disagreement as the duke told the bare-faced lie.
She was under no illusions that if she became their stepmother, she would have no more authority over them than a servant. Her feet faltered a little as she continued the steps, the room around her seeming to blur into a confusing mess of colours and sounds as the reality of what was happening lowered over her.
I am going to be promised to this man for the rest of my life because of a scandal in which I played no part and did nothing wrong.
The duke was looking at her oddly and she realised her fists were clenched tightly at her sides, and she had missed a part of the dance with him. She concentrated on the steps, and as the dance blissfully came to an end, she curtsied, yearning for the escape of the refreshment table.
To her horror, however, her father and mother immediately came toward her. She thought she might detectsome sorrow in her father’s expression for a few seconds, but it lifted almost as soon as it came.
The duke’s daughters all came to stand with them, and the duke was so close to Emilia that she could smell the whisky on his breath. She kept her back taut, trying to retain her composure. Sophia was all smiles now, as were Caroline and Penelope. Emilia was taken aback by how affable they were.
“You are an excellent dancer, Lady Emilia,” Sophia exclaimed, glancing at her father with a sharp smile. “I must say I greatly enjoyed your recital this afternoon.”
The speech felt practised, as though she were reciting it herself. Emilia wondered if their father had scolded them for their coldness toward her; she would not be in the least surprised if that were the case.
“Thank you, your own recital was very well read. I do not have the aptitude for poetry that others do.”
“But you make up for it with your skill on the piano.” That was Caroline’s voice. Of all his daughters, she seemed to bethe one who followed the others rather than being actively hostile on purpose. If anything, she simply appeared bored.
“Lady Emilia has many accomplishments, as my girls have pointed out over the days we have spent here. Lord Sternwood, I compliment you on an excellent house party so far. I have never enjoyed so many diverting activities and with such excellent company.”
Emilia’s face was hot, her palms sweating profusely. The new dress suddenly felt tight and suffocating and she was alarmed to find that her vision was fading in and out of focus.
She could not bear it. This insufferable man and his terrible children were going to trap her into a life of misery. She would be surprised if there were even a piano in his house. Even if there were she could imagine him giving her permission to use it only when he saw fit. He did not seem the kind of man whotook kindly to a woman exercising her intellect and choosing her own pursuits.
Emilia endured another ten minutes of talking before her mother suggested another dance. This time, the duke appeared to notice that he could not focus all his attention on Emilia so soon and asked Lady Seraphina instead.
“Mama, I am just going outside to get some air,” Emilia said as carefully as she could. She expected her mother to insist that she remain, but to her surprise, Lady Sternwood turned to her with concern.
“Yes, my dear, you look very flushed. Are you alright?”
“Just a little tired from the dancing. This is such a beautiful evening, though, Mama. So many of the company have remarked upon it.”
Her mother smiled in delight at the praise and rested a hand on her arm. “Do not stay outside too long. If you are flushed, you will not feel the cold, and it is bitter out there.”
