Page 48 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
“I would not doubt that either.”
“We were speaking for some time, and I was rather… enthused about a particular topic. He was speaking of composition. Mozart is known for his work's relative lack of errors, writing completed symphonies without any need for corrections. It is a topic I have studied myself. I have written music of my own, and it is scratched through with notes and annotations throughout. It fascinates me that Mozart saw the music on the page and simply poured a completed masterpiece onto parchment.”
Emilia sighed, a chill running through her body at the memory as she swallowed around the tightness in her throat.
“I spoke to him for almost half an hour. Foolish now I come to recall it, but we were in the throes of a fascinating discussion. It was later remarked upon, and someone I had often quarrelled with in the past took the commentary and spread it about like wildfire. I wasruinedin a single day because of a conversation about Mozart. People I had known all my life assumed I was trying to steal someone else’s husband. It still boils my blood to think of it.”
Adam’s fingers tightened imperceptibly on her back, and Emilia sucked in a sharp breath at the feel of it. No one observing them would be able to see what he had done but the reassurance was clear.
“Thank you for sharing that with me. I hope you know that you have an ally in me, Lady Emilia. I have known you for ashort time only, but I would never have suspected you were in the wrong. Society is a fickle and cruel place.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” Emilia said fiercely. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
They continued on, Emilia’s strides more certain with the weight of the earl beside her. She felt secure and safe in his arms, and it was a feeling that was becoming more familiar by the day.
Behind Lord Bellebrook and Emilia, Charlotte had been following in their wake. She had only caught snatches of the conversation but her cheeks were flushed with happiness now. If there had been any doubt in her mind of her friend’s connection to the man, it had been made a certainty now. Emilia never spoke of her scandal and rarely even discussed it with Charlotte. That she had chosen to convey her innermost secrets to Lord Bellebrook was a shocking and pleasing revelation.
“You are altogether too quick for me,” came a voice from behind her, and she grinned on a half-turn to see Lord Spencer approaching her. His answering grin was made all the more comical by his uneven gait. It appeared Lord Spencer was not altogether comfortable on the ice.
“Are you enjoying yourself, my Lord?” Charlotte asked. The gentle chatter on the lake was a faint hum in her ears, and it was liberating not to be overheard after spending so many days indoors on top of one another.
“I am now,” Lord Spencer said simply, coming up beside her, his eyes twinkling.
Charlotte felt heat creep up her neck at his attentions, but she managed to glide into step with him. She watched the elegant figures of Emilia and Lord Bellebrook as they made their way to the bank to admire the view.
When she looked back at her partner, Lord Spencer’s eyes were fixed on her hair, a flutter of light playing over his face as her crystal hairpin caught the sunlight. He did not look away for several seconds, her breath stuttering in her chest as she waited to see what he would do. After a moment, Lionel glanced about him warily and then tucked a loose strand of Charlotte’s hair behind her ear.
It was a gesture that took seconds only, but the excitement and joy that burst through Charlotte’s chest was something new. Lionel’s hands returned to interlace behind his back, and they carried on their journey.
Charlotte’s feet faltered as they went, Lionel’s firm arm coming out to steady her.
***
Adam and Emilia reached the edge of the lake, looking out over the rolling hills of the English countryside. The snow presented a white patchwork winter quilt, and Adam exhaled happily.
“What a magical thing snow is,” he said, “and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I believe we will be blessed with a white Christmas.”
Emilia stared out at the stillness and perfection of the landscape, her heart filled with a mixture of joy and disquiet.
“And after Christmas,” Adam added, “I will be able to speak with your—”
“Lady Emilia!”
Emilia startled violently at the sound of Elderbridge approaching, her stomach in knots at the thought that he might have overheard them.
Have I spent too long with Lord Bellebrook? Has the duke come to comment upon it?
She turned with a forced smile as the duke skated up to them. He was still ungainly on his feet but seemed to have gathered some of his composure.
“Are you enjoying the skating?” he asked cheerfully.
Emilia was about to respond, but as the duke approached, it became clear he was less steady on his feet than she had first believed. It was obvious that he had misjudged his speed as he came up to them.
Emilia gave a startled shriek as he almost bowled her over. She was saved, however, by Lord Bellebrook colliding with the duke to stop him, the two men grappling with one another as they tried not to fall to the floor.
Emilia lurched forwardand gripped the duke’s arm, and finally, they were all able to right themselves.
“What the devil, Bentley!” the duke exclaimed. It was probably intended to be good-natured, but there was a sharp glint in his eye that Emilia was immediately wary of.
