Page 60 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
He held a glass of port in his hand. The servants had all dispersed to seek physicians and see to the family, so there was a considerable lack of service. He had almost drained his glass, but there was just enough left to raise it silently to himself and toast his good health.
Things could not have gone more perfectly,he thought cheerfully.It is only a matter of time now. I am sure that Adam will not be able to take this fresh blow.
Now, it was just a case of securinghisfuture. He glanced up at the duke’s back, outlined against the falling snow pattering against the black window before him, and finished his port with a single swallow.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Emilia’s head was pounding.
She woke to the sound of birdsong and a shaft of light across her pillow. The fire was crackling, the world outside a sea of white.
It was Christmas Day, and she felt wretched.
“Emilia?”
Charlotte was at her bedside in moments, gently placing a cool cloth over her forehead. Her gaze was all concern, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes—she looked as though she had not slept at all.
Emilia frowned at her, trying to fathom why she felt so terrible and why she was in her bed. She thought back to the night before and everything began to unravel in her mind. She remembered the Duke of Elderbridge stepping forward, the smug arrogance on his face as he claimed her in front of everyone.
She could only imagine what Adam had thought. He must believe she had deceived him all this time, that she had never intended for their proposal to be real. Yet again, he had been abandoned by a woman in his life. The thought that he might believe she had chosen a duke over an earl to elevate her status after the scandal flitted through her head.
She groaned.
“Are you in pain?” Charlotte took her hand, squeezing it gently as she watched her.
“What happened? Why am I here?” she asked, dreading the answer but desperate to know.
“You fainted and have not regained consciousness since. The physician has been and will return shortly with your draft.”
“I fainted?” Emilia asked in disbelief. “I have never fainted.”
“I think it understandable given the circumstances. I cannot believe the duke announced it in front of everyone. Is it true?”
Emilia winced as she nodded her head. “My father and mother called me into the drawing room just before the ceremony. They were so happy, Charlotte and I could not speak. I did not believe he would do it. Not yet. I thought… I thought…” she trailed off.
“Lord Bellebrook carried you here,” Charlotte said softly. “He wouldn’t allow anyone else near you; hejust lifted you up as though you weighed nothing at all.”
Emilia’s heart beat more rapidly at that knowledge, but she sighed, a heavy weight resting on her chest.
“He must despise me,” she lamented.
“I do not believe that is the case.”
“How could it not be? He must believe I lied all this time, that I was never intending to marry him. He has seen such loss in his life, and now I am only compounding it.”
She sat up, determined to go and find Adam and explain her side of the story, if nothing else, but a gentle hand pressed her back to the bed.
“My love, you must rest,” Charlotte said, standing again and repositioning the towel that had fallen against the pillow. “Nothing is certain, and Lord Bellebrook is a rational man. He will know what the duke is.”
“And what can he do? What can anyone do now?”
“Do not lose faith. You are stronger than this. You must regain your strength and face the world as we all must.” Emilia looked back up to Charlotte, startled by the vehemence in the other woman’s voice. “Youhave not accepted the duke. Yourparents may wish for the match, but they cannot force your hand.”
Emilia attempted a brave smile, and Charlotte seemed mollified, but she knew it was not so simple. It would break her mother’s heart if she refused now, and she could not see a path ahead of her where she would be able to live the life she had dreamed of.
This is a most dismal Christmas, indeed.
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