Page 5 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
“Your father is most eager that you make the acquaintance of the Duke of Elderbridge. He is a revered gentleman and has met your father several times. He is quite willing to overlook the scandal with the Blackmoors and has recently rejoined the marriage mart after the loss of his wife.”
Emilia’s fingers tightened around the handle of her teacup, sipping it carefully. She had learned long ago that speaking her mind too quickly generally got her into trouble. The idea of marrying Benedict Easton, the Duke of Elderbridge, repulsed her. He was twice her age—more so at forty-eight—and had six daughters fully grown. She could well imagine why he wished for a wife—he would want a son.
Emilia nodded as she noticed her mother waiting for a response.
“I see,” she said cautiously, “have you met him, Mama?”
“I have not, but I trust your father implicitly. He would not recommend someone he did not believeworthy.”
Worthy of a woman who has been disgraced and cannot expect anything better,Emilia thought bitterly.
She loved her parents, but her relationship with them had changed beyond recognition since the scandal. They were both hesitant to allow her any freedom and did not seem to notice that their continual references to their daughter’s limited options in society caused her daily pain.
She longed to play in a room full of people again, but that time was also over. She would have to content herself with playing melancholy pieces in the privacy of her own home.
As she considered that bleak prospect, the door to the drawing room opened again, and their butler entered, bowing to the room.
“My Lady, the Fairfaxes have arrived,” he said stiffly, and behind him, Catherine entered again with another tray of tea for their guests.
Emilia’s heart rejoiced as Lord and Lady Fairfax entered, followed by their daughter Charlotte. The two younger women had been best friends since childhood, and her presence was a balm to Emilia’s soul. As Charlotte entered, she gave Emilia a meaningful look and it was clear there was much for them to discuss once their parents had begun conversing.
The Fairfaxes all sat down. Elizabeth Fairfax was the same age as Camilla Sterling, and the two women were similar inbeliefs and temperament. Charlotte and Emilia had grown to be experts at navigating their mother’s changeable wills.
Emilia’s father soon joined them, and he and Lord Fairfax quickly began to speak of the gelding that the latter had recently purchased. Emilia’s mother launched into a tirade to Lady Fairfax about the stresses of hosting a Christmas party and how preparations were progressing. Indeed, Emilia had never seen so much ribbon as had been delivered to the manor in recent weeks. Her mother was determined to show that she was capable of throwing the best Christmas event of the season.
Charlotte sat opposite Emilia, the unspoken conversation between them palpable as Emilia’s mother moved on to theexcellentDuke of Elderbridge and all the wonderful things he had accomplished in his life. After enduring this for a further ten minutes, Charlotte dutifully mentioned that she longed for some fresh air and she and Emilia escaped before their mothers found someone that Charlotte could be married off to, as well.
As they closed the outer door behind them, Emilia gave a sigh of relief. Her breath formed in great clouds about her. It was brutally cold, and she was grateful for her muff and hat.
The day was crisp, and the sky was heavy with the promise of snow. The edges of the lawns were lined with fir trees hanging low to the ground, and the women walked along the paths arm in arm, their feet crunching over the crisp ground in unison.
Emilia made it a reasonable distance from the house before she stamped her foot and scoffed so loudly that she startled a robin pecking at the earth nearby.
“The Duke ofElderbridge,” she spat as Charlotte’s arm tightened around hers. “I declare he is over twenty-five years older than me, withsixdaughters, three of whom are unmarried and must be younger than I am! Apparently, this is all I can expect from the world of suitors now. The cast-offs of widows who are willing tooverlooka scandal that did not even happen.” She kicked a stone viciously along the path as they walked, her nose almost numb already from the bitter cold.
“I cannot believe they are considering him,” Charlotte replied with cold fury.
“Why would they not consider him? I have no other prospects. I cannot set foot in any hallway or drawing room in the country without someone wondering if I will steal their husband!”
“Emilia,” Charlotte said with a long-suffering sigh, “that is simply not true. You are highly regarded amongst our close acquaintances and everybody knows you did nothing wrong. I blame the countess for her dismissal of you. It was badly done. She has not even tried to visit you.”
“If she were to visit me, it would only intensify the rumours,” Emilia retorted. “And to think I once had one and twenty suitors willing to dance with me and five invitations aweek for private concerts. Now, if I were invited to a funeral, I would be surprised.”
Charlotte snorted loudly, and Emilia glanced at her friend to see her smiling reproachfully. Her good humour was contagious, however, and they both began to laugh. Despite her simmering anger, Emilia’s mood lifted at Charlotte’s presence.
“If I were to die, I would ensure you were invited to my funeral,” Charlotte said reassuringly.
“I am so grateful, Charlotte, thank you. But if you were to die, I would insist that you haunt me so I have someone to keep me company.” Charlotte’s tinkling laugh carried over the air. “And as I understand it, the estimableMiss Henrietta Darcyis the bell of the ball these days.”.
Charlotte scowled. “She was at a recital I attended recentlyandhad the audacity to come and speak to me.”
“Charlotte, my love, I would never expect you to reject her entirely purely on my account.”
“Oh, it is not only on your account, I assure you. She is a vicious creature. I cannot abide being in the same room with her for more than five minutes. She speaks of herself in the third person and uses the royal ‘we’ whenever she refers to her practice of the piano. Vile thing.”
Emilia squeezed her friend’s arm, feeling a rush of affection for her. Charlotte rarely spoke of the scandal unless Emilia brought it up herself, and it was refreshing to hear her so furious about it nearly two years later.
“But I would not lose hope,” Charlotte continued. “The duke may be eligible, to be sure, but there will be other men at the Christmas ball who might be to your liking. Nothing is certain, and it has been along time since the rumours began. Your family is hosting this event, and your mother will largely control what will take place. There can be no expectation for fresh scandal, and you will be able to play before the companyfor the first time in months. Focus on that if nothing else. I have longed to hear you play for months.”
