Page 40 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
Adam was not too proud to admit that he was surprised the man even noticed other people, but he nodded all the same. His eyes flicked to Emilia and the duke, fingers flexing to prevent him from striding across to them and shoving the man to the floor.
“Yes, I am quite well. Why would I not be?”
“Simply that I know how much you loved spending Christmas with Anastasia.”
Adam froze, guilt slicing through him. He knew he should ignore his cousin’s words, but his conscience weighed heavily upon him. He felt an undeniable sense of remorse that he could neither escape nor suppress.
Adam’s heart clenched at the thought of Anastasia and how much she would have loved this house party.
What would she think of me?He thought sadly.Running about in the gardens with another woman playing withsnowballs when she is gone forever and can never enjoy such things again.
Adam’s mood darkened considerably, and he glanced at his cousin, who had his eyebrows raised in query.
“I am sorry, I did not mean to—”
“No matter,” Adam replied curtly. “I must help my aunt.”
He walked across the room, his head held high, as he reached Augusta. With the large Christmas tree obscuring her, Adam had not realised his aunt stood beside Lady Seraphina. To his dismay, Augusta departed almost instantly, and Adam was left awkwardly standing beside her as she gave him a shy smile.
Adam glanced to his right, noting that the duke was still very close to Emilia, who was pale and taut beside him. Frederick’s words were still ringing in his ears, but there was no denyinghe hated seeing Emilia with another man.
He knew all too well that their arrangement was a convenience, but Adam felt a pulse of anger that dimmed his guilt.
The duke does not have a claim to her. I do. And I cannot even warn him off because nobody knows the truth.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Emilia stood in her bedroom and pulled on her coat as the party prepared to walk to the local village.
The morning air was brisk and cold, and the house was bustling with movement as the guests prepared to depart. She rubbed her hands together against the cold, recalling the comforting warmth of Lord Bellebrook’s arm wrapped around hers the day before.
Everything still seemed surreal, but her strange sense of happinessin his presence was also clouded by guilt. Emilia knew what her parents were expecting and how they valued the duke’s connection. They were still adamant that he was the best possible choice for her despite so many reasons why their match did not make sense in Emilia’s eyes.
She looked beyond to the beautiful world outside and walked to the fireplace, touching the holly leaves that were scattered across its surface.
When her world had fallen apart after her discussion with Lord Blackmoor, she had been numb to many emotions. It was strange to remember how much she had ignored from the past few years. It had not just been the bad feelings but also the good ones. Any emotion at all had been suppressed in her mind, and in the last few days, she was beginning to feel them come alive again.
Her heart felt full, and the Christmas season suddenly seemed joyous. She looked at the snow and the winter wonderland outside her window, and it seemed more beautiful than it ever had before. Emilia was excited for Christmas day. It would herald the penultimate moment before Adam would speak to her father, and a new future would be sealed for her.
Sophia, Penelope, and Carolinewould be pleased,she thought, with a small smile.They will not have to endure the insult of me becoming their mother, after all.
Emilia jolted in surprise, pulled from her thoughts, as she heard her mother’s voice drifting up the stairs and realised that she had lingered at her window for too long and would need to go down to meet the other guests.
Adam was waiting alongside Lionel when Emilia emerged at the head of the staircase. Her gaze was uncertain as she looked about the company, her hand held tightly to the bannister. Adam felt a bolt of happiness when her eyes alighted on his, and she appeared to relax. He came forward, waiting for her at the base of the stairs. Lady Sternwood was not far away from him, and he noticed her watching them as Emilia descended. Adam kept his face carefully blank but was aware that if they were to make the company believe their relationship had blossomed over the coming days, he would have to make it clear to her parents that he had an interest in their daughter.
Emilia reached the bottom step, taking a deep breath as she did so. Adam smiled and nodded to her in greeting.
“Good morning, Lady Emilia,” he said quietly, aware of the smile tugging at his lips. Adam knew they were not being entirely honest with those around them, but he was finding that he enjoyed having a secret that only he and Emilia were privy to.
“Good morning, Lord Bellebrook,” she said happily, looking about her. All the baskets they had prepared were assembled on a table beside the front door, and she ran her eyes over them appreciatively. “Have you managed to locate your creation amidst the throng?”
“I have. It is a pitiful sight. I believe I shall tuck it away to spare anyone the misfortune of displaying it in their home.”
She laughed in a light, pleasing way and stepped down the last step as the rest of the group came together. Adam was conscious of eyes on him and looked up at Lady Sternwood, only to find Frederick watching him. The man had such a look of loathing on his face thatit quite chilled Adam’s blood.
Adam frowned at him, and the look evaporated.
Hurriedly, Adam offered Emilia his arm as the duke entered the room. The man was flanked by his daughters, the youngest of whom was receiving a dressing down for some slight or another. The duke thankfully fell into step beside Sophia Easton, and the fact that Adam was escorting Emilia did not seem to register in his attention.
