Page 36 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
He swallowed, picking up his cup of coffee and trying to tune into the conversations around him. Lord and Lady Sternwood were discussing hanging ornaments as their Christmas activity of the day. Along the table, the Pinkertons remarked upon the excellent breakfast that had been laid outfor them. Adam felt distanced from it all—the world around him waslike a dream world he had accidentally stumbled into.
So much of the last three years had been shrouded in sadness and melancholy that he felt like an entirely different person this morning. Anastasia was never far from his thoughts, but Emilia’s presence had somehow combined with hers to lighten his mood and make her memory sharper and keener—it was almost as though Emilia had made it less painful to remember her.
How strange life can be at times.
Feeling eyes upon him, he looked up into Frederick’s assessing gaze. Having been caught watching him, Frederick schooled his expression into a more neutral one, but Adam had seen the calculating assessment in his face.
What could have angered him already? It is not even ten o’clock.
With a jolt, he wondered if Frederick had dipped too deep again the night before. He had been so distracted by his own plans; he had not kept an eye on him. Adam glanced at Lord Sternwood, and sure enough, the man’s gaze returned to Frederick time and again, trying to catch his eye.
This was a familiar dance.
Frederick would always win hands of cards to start with. Successful gamblers, if one could describe them as such, knew to quit while they were ahead. Frederick had never had that ability and clearly his luck had run out. Adam recognised the signs immediately, and he was mortified on behalf of his cousin that Lord Sternwood might be out of pocket.
Adam was convinced Frederick would ask him for a loan again. He had done it before, and Adam had been fool enough to agree. But not this time. He would not be party to a repayment of a debt for his future father-in-law. The idea thathe would soon be part of Lord Sternwood’s family was alarming in its way, but at least he finally knew the direction of his future.
Adam could not deny that he would have preferred a love match, but considering how far he had come in only a matter of days, he was hopeful. His heart was light and full again, and the pain he carried was lessening day by day. Perhaps he could be content with that.
Then the door of the room opened, and the object of his thoughts entered in a waft of cinnamon-laced air.
Adam stared.
Emilia looked exquisite. Her hair was up in a complicated twist at the back of her head, and small yellow flowers wereplaced within the plaits to match the gold of her dress. She looked like an angel, and it was not until she walked further into the room and Lionel nudged Adam’s elbow that he realised he was staring.
As Emilia walked to her seat, it occurred to himthat the future he had craved might still be within his reach. What was to stop them from deepening their connection?
As Emilia reached her chair, Adam’s jaw clenched as the duke stood up and pulled it out for her. Adam could instantly see the tensing of Emilia’s body in the man’s presence and wanted to leap across the table and push him out of the way.
He sipped his coffee, keeping his eye on them as discreetly as possible.
Emilia sat down, smoothing her skirts over her knees as she tried to pluck up the courage to look at Adam. Elderbridge poured her a cup of tea she had not asked for, she would much have preferred coffee this morning. He handed her several slices of toast with his fingers and placed them on her plate.
Does the man think he can dictate what I eat as well as who I marry?
She finally managed to glance at Adam, her heart leaping in her chest at the furious expression on his face as he surveyed the duke.
We are engaged to be married.
The knowledge was jarring and strange as she watched Seraphina take her seat beside Adam. His attention was diverted briefly, and Emilia tried not to stare at them as Seraphina bid him good morning. She was very unlike Emilia in looks, all sparkling diamonds and blonde hair.
But Adam said he did not want her,she reminded herself.Just as I do not want—
“And how are you this morning, Lady Emilia?” the duke asked her with his mouth full of egg. There was a drop of yolk on his chin that he had missed and it was adhering to the faint stubble that protruded from his skin.
“Very well, your Grace, and you?”
“Oh, I always sleep very well. I have an excellent constitution and all that,” he laughed heartily, and Emilia almost rolled her eyes when her father joined in with the joke.
“That is good, your Grace,” she replied weakly.
“It is. When one has so much to attend to in the day, it is unarguably improved with a good night’s rest. My bedroom at the estate looks out on the lake, which is teaming with fish. You must come to visit one of these days with your family.”
Emilia glanced at her mother, who was positively bouncing in her seat at the invitation. She felt ill at the thought and had to remind herself again that if her agreement with Lord Bellebrook came to fruition, she would never have to entertain the duke’s whims.
Lord Fairfax began speaking to her father about the arrival of his new gelding and the duke jumped on the chance to talk of the ‘prize stallions’ at his estate. Emilia listened with halfan ear, conscious that she was not being particularly lively or interesting this morning.
Adam appeared to be listening to Seraphina, and Emilia glanced at him only to catch his eye. He had the same mischievous expression from the night before, and he hid a smile as Seraphina’s conversation became plainer. Apparently, the design of the teacups wasexactlylike the ones she had at home. It appeared she had been speaking on the topic for many minutes.
