Page 39 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
“I am not certain,” she said cautiously, “to what you are referring.”
Emilia, with that intuitive manner she sometimes possessed, seemed to read her perfectly, however, and Charlotte’s anxiety was quelled as her friend took her hand.
“You and I have spoken at length of the connections we can expect in life. I would never presume to make one for you.”
“I know,” Charlotte said, watching Lord Spencer across the room speaking with Emilia’s father. “I had no significant interest for the whole of last season. I was beginning to believe it was hopeless. I am still bemused as to how a man such as he can be unattached. I cannot fathom it.”
“Perhaps he was waiting for you,” Emilia said wistfully. “Stranger things have happened, and you are the loveliest creature imaginable.”
“Do be quiet, you will make me blush,” Charlotte protested, but her friend’s words had given her comfort. She knew her parents were desperate for her to make a good match, and she was determined not to allow their worries to affect her.
Lady Sternwood clapped her hands for attention at the head of the room and smiled about at the group.
“We will be decorating the Christmas tree in the entrance hall and dressing the corridors this morning. When you have all finished your drinks, please make your way through, and I will show you the beautiful creations that are waiting to be hung.”
“Do you think we will be hanging them terribly high?” Lady Seraphina said as she passed Adam and his aunt. “I simply cannot abide heights; I am so frightfully afraid of heights.”
“Not to worry, my dear,” said his aunt as she bustled forward. “There will be plenty of strapping young men to help us,” she exclaimed, taking Seraphina’s arm and giving Adam a long stare before leaving the room.
“I love my mother,” Lionel said softly, “but she is trying evenmypatience with this. Does she not see you have other things on your mind?”
Adam’s head snapped around to look at his cousin, but Lionel just gave him a playful wink and followed his mother out of the room. As he did so, Adam’s eye was drawn to Emilia, who was standing with Miss Fairfax on the other side of the carpeted entryway before him.
She still looked flushed from their impromptu snowball fight, and her eyes were sparkling as she looked about the room.
A feeling of unease crept over him as he considered the offer he had made the night before. He did not regret it—far from it—but it was still an adjustment to realise that this woman was his betrothed. He rubbed his hands together, fiddling with his shirt sleeves, trying to pull himself back to the present. He could hear the lively chatter of those who had already moved into the hallway and the clink of decorations as they were removed from their boxes. Adam nabbed another biscuit to calm his nerves and attempted to revel in the unexpected joys of the season.
I have never appreciated Christmas so much as I have in Lady Emilia’s company.
***
As they made their way into the entrance hall, Emilia looked up at the beautiful garlands hanging from the doorway and the leafless tree branches her mother had brought in from outside to be adorned with decorations.
Everything looked glorious—the large Christmas tree at the base of the stairs was truly magnificent and sent a surge of excitement through her. With the snow on the ground outside and the snowball fight, not to mention her blossomingfriendship with Lord Bellebrook, she felt happy and excited for the holidays.
Her mother handed her a box of crystal-cut ornaments that sparkled in the light,and Emilia placed the box on a chair as Lady Pinkerton and her husband approached and collected some of them.
“These are quite exquisite!” Lady Pinkerton exclaimed, holding one of them up to the light as rainbows danced across the floor in its wake. “I am so overwhelmed by all your mother has done. Does it not look beautiful in the house?”
“It truly does,” her husband agreed, looking down at his wife adoringly. Emilia watched the gentle exchange between the two of them and felt a pang of loss that the love between them might never be her fate.
“Lady Emilia, allow me to help you.”
Emilia turned to look up at the duke who towered above her, smirking down at her in that infuriating way of his.
On second thoughts, I do not need love.She thought desperately.I just need to be away from this man for the rest of my life.
She nodded to the duke, holding out the box to him. Behind him she noticed Adam entering the entrance hall, his eyes on them, his jaw tightening with obvious displeasure. Emilia wondered if he might come over to save her, but he was pulled aside by his cousin Frederick. She was thus left to endure the duke’s simpering conversation and idle prattle.
“I was most surprised by your behaviour in the gardens, Lady Emilia,” the duke said. Emilia glanced up at him in alarm. His expression was reserved and carefully polite, but his eyes were hard. “I had not seen that side of you. I must say I was shocked that you would behave in such an unladylike manner.”
Emilia’s hands shook as she took another ornament from the box, but this time, it was not with nerves but rage.Apparently, the duke did not want his future wife to display any kind of excitement, happiness, or joy, even at Christmas. It was a damning testimony to any type of life she might have had in his company, and she was even more grateful to the Earl of Bellebrook for saving her from it.
As Adam’s eyes lingered on Emilia’s back, a fresh wave of jealousy surged through him, but this time, it was far more violent in its intensity. He frowned at Frederick who placed an impertinent hand on his sleeve. The man seemed agitated and there was sweat adhering to his brow despite the high ceilings of the entrance hall and a rather chill breeze through the front door.
“Is all well?” Adam asked, feigning ignorance, but he knew exactly what Frederick would ask of him.
“Of course, of course,” his cousin said meekly. “I merely wished to ensureyouwere well.”
