Page 29 of Playing the Scoundrel

Chapter Eleven

Emma sat stiff in the carriage as it teetered down the road. The night ahead would be full of uncertainty, and she wasn’t sure how to comport herself. She had been in London nearly two months now, and she had learned it was easy enough to navigate around a ballroom or a dinner party while avoiding the nobility as needed. Any contact with the upper class was sure to reveal her lowly status, and undoubtedly reveal her connection to her fallen sister. Not that she didn’t trust Mrs. Dunn, but why risk it? Tonight, there was no way to avoid it. Invitation to dine with the Duke and Duchess of Norland would prove Emma’s abilities, to be sure.

They were entirely charming at the ball when the duchess had extended the invitation, much to Emma’s surprise. Not at all with the air of superiority that she had expected from them and experienced from so many others of their rank. The duke and duchess carried themselves with a natural friendliness that seemed to match Mr. Godwin’s in a way. The duke was certainly more solemn, but she had heard his laugh before the night was over, and he seemed to disgust society almost as much as Emma did. And she felt an instant camaraderie with the duchess herself, a thing Emma never could have fathomed before. It gave her a moment’s pause.

Would she lose the brief acquaintance with nobility after she destroyed Mr. Godwin’s heart? Would ruining that man also ruin her chances to have a decent life in society?

But Emma shook her head. Her future success did not depend on Mr. Godwin’s friends alone. She depended on Mrs. Dunn, and Emma would not leave her side anymore. It was the only way to keep her safe from people like Mr. Godwin, especially after her improper remark at their last dance together. She’d only said it to entice him further, but it might have been too much. She just needed to make sure she still had a chance with Mr. Bernard. She had to keep her focus on the right man. And she would, right after she finished with the first one.

“What is your goal?” Mrs. Dunn asked just as the carriage pulled to a stop.

Emma inhaled before letting out a deep breath. “Not to vomit.”

“Don’t fret, my dear,” Mrs. Dunn said. “Though you just might be the most nervous girl I’ve ever met, and that’s saying something.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever dined with nobility before tonight, so I believe that merits a bit of nerves.”

Mrs. Dunn shook her head. “You have nothing to worry for. Your manners are pristine, so they have no reason to find fault with you. Besides, with Mr. Godwin around, I don’t think he’ll allow them to.”

Emma flushed just as a footman opened the carriage door, and a cool gust of winter wind blew around them. They hurried to the doorway of a large townhouse on Harley Street. Once they were ushered in by the butler, Emma looked around the foyer, her eyes growing wide. She had considered Mrs. Dunn’s home to be all things elegant and refined, but this was beyond anything Emma had ever experienced. There were beautiful pillars that framed the doorway, putting her in mind of the Greek architecture she’d just seen in the museum. The glow of candles highlighted the gilded art on the wall and the stone busts on display, and that was just the spacious entryway. The rest of the home would likely be more elegant than anything Emma would ever see for the rest of her life, so she would have to take it all in.

“I’ll see you to the drawing room,” the servant said, before leading them down the corridor.

Emma and Mrs. Dunn followed him up an intricate staircase to the second floor and into the drawing room where it seemed most of their party was already waiting. They all provided the requisite bows and curtsies, then Emma was able to look around the room. The duke and duchess, of course, and their friend Mr. Ramsbury beside a young girl with hair as golden as Emma’s, but curly instead. Then she spotted Mr. Godwin, standing alone by the front window, where he’d undoubtedly watched her arrive. The look in his eyes was simultaneously dangerous and inviting, and Emma had to squelch any flips it caused in her heart.

“How lovely to see you both,” said the duchess, stepping forward to greet them.

“It was most gracious of you to invite us.” Mrs. Dunn was all manners, which left Emma in shock. She rarely showed such deference to anyone.

“Well, it’s not every day Henry brings such respectable visitors.”

They shared a laugh before the duchess stepped aside. “And I don’t believe you had the chance last time to meet Miss Clay, my husband’s ward. Miss Clay, this is Mrs. Dunn and Miss Emma Follett.”

The beautiful young girl approached and gave a flawless curtsy. “Very pleased to meet you both.”

“Please, come have a seat,” said the duke. “I believe dinner will be announced at any moment.”

Emma would have followed Mrs. Dunn to the couches, but Miss Clay took a few steps toward her. “I can’t tell you how excited I am you’ve come, Miss Follett.”

Her youthful enthusiasm was not lost on Emma, and it made her smile. “How so, Miss Clay?”

“Oh, I mean no disrespect to the duke and duchess, for they’ve been nothing but kind and loving to me since I’ve arrived. And I’ve met ever so many people over this season and the last. But we rarely have such nice young ladies come to visit. The duke and duchess are very particular and wish to protect me from ill repute in society, so I know you must be of quality character.”

It seemed as though each word weighed heavier than the next. This young girl was in desperate need of a friend, but Emma was directly connected to ill repute, and if she had her way, the man claiming her as a friend was going to have his heartbroken from Emma’s deviousness, so her character was pretty bleak in that sense.

But there was little she could do to extract herself now, except aim to keep the conversation light as they fell into step together around the room. “I can understand that. Have you enjoyed your time in London thus far?”

Miss Clay nodded emphatically. “Oh yes. So many parties and lovely events to attend. But I fear all the potential courtship options can be quite overwhelming. So many gentlemen, it’s hard to know who can be trusted.”

Emma cast a glance over to the couches where Mr. Godwin had fallen into conversation with the duke, the duchess, and Mrs. Dunn. He seemed so kind and jovial, not at all like the crass and disrespectful rake she thought him. Not at all like the man who had kissed her breathless in an opera box seat. “Indeed.”

“And you? Do you enjoy visiting London for the season?”

They brought themselves over to the large fireplace. “You are right, it can be overwhelming at times, but there’s also much to enjoy. The theatre and museums are excellent entertainment, and the possibility of making new friends.”

Miss Clay’s eyes lit up just as Mr. Godwin approached.

“You’ve been summoned to the conversation, Miss Clay,” he said. “Isabel would like to gush over your many accomplishments.”

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