Page 29 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
Emilia watched Charlotte and Lord Spencer work together, and although she was happy for her friend, she also felt a longing for simpler connections. She had greatly enjoyed her time with Lord Bellebrook, but there was no guarantee that anything more would exist between them once the party ended.
Perhaps it is enough that I should befriend him, she thought.
But the reality of her life loomed large beside her as the duke stepped up and took his turn. There would be nothing whatsoever between her and the earl if her parents got their way.
“Where would you suggest?” the duke asked her, and Emilia noticed many eyes turning to them.
“Why, your Grace, we are not a pair,” she protested gently, terrified that simply pointing out the truth would begin a scandal of some kind. To her relief, however, the duke laughed.
“Quite right, quite right, I shall forge on alone.”
The game became more and more competitive as it continued, and there was much laughter and enjoyment by all. Several of the party were eliminated, but to Frederick’s irritation, as he stepped up as one of the final few, thelovebirdsremained unbeaten. Adam was fawning over Emilia as though they were already engaged.
Frederick’s hand shook as he removed his stick and there were shouts of dismay as he pulled it free holding it up in triumph. He watched Emilia and Adam lower their heads together and decide on which they would choose. His ire rising all the while Frederick wondered if he should simply jolt the table and end the game.
He was uncomfortable with how closely they were standing and the way Adam’s eyes lingered on her for the longest time.
When Anastasia died, it should have guaranteed his ascendency, particularly with Adam barely leaving his rooms. Frederick had been sure the man would die of grief, and yet here he was, larger than life and making a new alliance.
Frederick glanced at the duke, who had clearly noticed the growing bond between them. The man’s face was puce as he flicked his gaze back and forth between Emilia and Adam. There was nothing improper in how they behaved—Emilia would be far too careful for that.
But he could see the duke’s displeasure—and that meant there was a way for his plan to begin.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The following morning began with a church service at the manor’s private chapel.
Emilia was struck by the party's opulence against the chapel's relatively drab appearance. There were rich velvets and brocades among the dresses that the ladies were wearing, mixed with the cold stone and dark wood of the church interior.
A beautiful stained-glass window at the rear of the aisle cast a kaleidoscope of coloured light over the congregation as they took their seats.
It was another grey day outside, and she could see her breath as she walked toward her parents. Her mother turned and glanced behind her pointedly, and Emilia’s heart sank as she saw the duke and his daughters in the row behind.
The duke turned with a smile, gesturing for her to sit beside him. Emilia looked at her mother, but Lady Sternwood had already turned back to face the front of the chapel.
The stained glass along the wall was throwing patterns across the little congregation, and she did not think it was a coincidence that Benedict Easton was bathed in red from the light above him. It made him look rather demonic, and when she sat beside him, the stench of brandy was strong. It was still early in the morning; he must have already been drinking, or perhaps he had done so late into the night.
She swallowed back the nausea that the smell prompted and forced a polite smile.
“You are looking very well this morning,” the duke said, running his eyes over her. Emilia was glad of her thick coat in the cold interior of the chapel, but there was something in the way the duke looked at her that made her feel naked in hispresence. She hated being close to him. It did not help matters that Sophia was glaring daggers at her behind her father’s back and Emilia looked away to hide her discomfort.
As she did so, the sight of Lord Bellebrook was a welcome one. He was wearing his own thick greatcoat and looked every bit as dashing as he had at the ball. The Earl of Bellebrook had the ability to appear far grander than someone like the Duke. It was almost as though Elderbridge affected his superiority, and Lord Bellebrook possessed it without even trying.
Adam sat on the opposite side of the church with his aunt and cousin. For a brief moment, he looked across at her as they all stood for the opening hymn. Emilia experienced a strange calm come over her at that look, which she could not explain. Something in having Adam close by was a balm to her fractured nerves. She did not know why he had such an effect on her, but she was grateful he was there.
As she began to sing, with Elderbridge’s booming voice beside her, it was almost as though she could feel Adam’s calming presence wrap around her, shielding her from the world, as though it was just the two of them.
“Do you think if I lit a candle to keep my hands warm anyone would notice?” Lionel asked and Adam gave him a warning glance. There were not enough people in the church to mask Lionel’s voice during the hymn and he was aware of the Pinkerton’s glaring at them irritably.
“I think the vicar would notice if you were to set the church on fire, yes.”
“It is freezing in here,” Lionel hissed, rubbing his hands against his thighs.
“Would you be still? You are making me feel colder.”
Adam gripped his hymn book more tightly and forced his eyes ahead of himwhen all he wanted to do was look at Lady Emilia again. This morning, she was wearing a dark coat anda dark hat to match it, and she looked effortlessly elegant. His own gloved hands were chilled beneath the thick fabric, and he hoped she had enough layers on to keep her warm.
The chapel itself was beautiful and ornate, with gold leaves climbing up the lectern where the vicar stood. As the first hymn ended, he sat down, surprised by how at ease he felt. It might have been the setting, but the notes of worry he had felt ever since he had arrived at the manor seemed to have faded.
