His Not So Sensible Miss (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 3) (17 page)

Tears came to her eyes. “Only
completely charmed me.”

Taylor twirled her out the
open doors and onto a balcony, away from the eyes of the
ton
.

Emily took a few moments to gather her
emotions, breathed deeply and turned to her escort. “Thank you for
removing me from the room. I’m not normally so emotional but this
is a tender subject for me.”

“
Something happened in the
country and you fell in love.”

“
It no longer matters and I
wish you would let it go. Please, for my sake as well as
his.”

“
You’re not going to tell
me?”

“
No, I cannot talk of it.”
Turning she walked away

Emily begged off the next few dances,
claiming exhaustion. It was easily believed as she had not attended
a ball before. As the time approached for her dance with Richard,
she was relieved because she would like to be in the company of
someone who had known her since she was a child. All too soon, she
would be required to partner with Dillon. If only she could find a
way to avoid that one as easily as she did the others, but knew he
wouldn’t allow it.

Her agitation for the evening only
increased when Richard walked over to claim his dance with Dillon
at his side. “Please forgive me, Emily, but I need to leave rather
urgently.”

“
Is it anything
serious?”

“
Simone has sent a note that
one of the children has taken ill. I am sure it is nothing of grave
concern.”

“
Of course, I understand.”
How could she not? She knew as well as everyone how much his wife,
Simone, and the children meant to Richard.

“
Dillon has agreed to stand
in my place so you won’t go without a partner.”

“
Oh, he has. How very
thoughtful,” Emily muttered dryly. Did Richard have an ill child
after all or was he in league with Dillon?

“
The music is about to
begin.” Dillon offered his arm.

It would be the height of rudeness to
deny him this dance, and she certainly didn’t want to bring
attention to herself as no less than a dozen people had heard the
exchange. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness.” She nodded toward
Richard before accepting Dillon’s arm. All she needed to do was get
through this one dance then she could go home. This waltz canceled
out the one he had already claimed as far as she was concerned.
Besides, it would only cause speculation if they danced two in a
row.

“
You don’t need to look so
put upon,” Dillon whispered as they took their places.

“
I apologize. I was simply
concerned about Richard’s child.”

“
I don’t believe he has an
ill child,” Dillon admitted.

She turned to him and frowned. She had
suspected the same but believed it was something he and Dillon had
concocted. “How do you know?”

“
Richard always mentions his
children by name. This time he didn’t. I can only suspect that he
was making it up as he went to grant me my one wish for the
evening.”

“
You asked him to replace
him in this dance?” Emily was outraged.

“
No. Nothing so sinister. I
think Richard was simply taking pity on me. It is no secret among
my friends that I have wanted to speak with you.”

The music began and they greeted each
other in the manner of the dance. Emily braced herself for the feel
of his hands. It was worse than she had remembered. They were warm
and strong, clasping her gloved, right hand. The glove made no
difference for she could feel his strength and it sent tingles down
her arm as he placed his other hand at her waist. The gown was so
thin it felt has if he were touching her bare skin and her pulse
jumped. This was the very reason she didn’t want to waltz with him.
Couldn’t anyone understand that?

“
Would you drive with me
tomorrow?” He knew this was not the venue in which to discuss their
current situation.

“
I don’t think that would be
wise, nor do I see a purpose.”

“
No purpose?” His voice rose
and he quickly lowered it, pulling her slightly closer. “I had
hoped you would like to continue what began in the country. To see
if it was all an illusion or if there was something real and so
rare between us.”

Emily didn’t want to have this
discussion, ever, but most assuredly not on the dance floor. “To
what end? Even if it was real and rare, nothing can come of it and
I don’t understand why you insist on pursuing me.”

“
What do you mean nothing
can come of it? How can you possibly know such a thing?”

“
Because I now know who you
are and you know who I am. It]s unacceptable and I wish you would
be realistic enough to realize it before putting me through more
pain.” Oh, she had not meant to say pain. She had never intended to
let him know her feelings.

“
Emily,” Dillon stated in a
quieter voice. “You are not the only one pained. It kills me to see
you dance with others, even my friends, knowing I cannot have
you.”

“
That is the way it must be.
Claresta is a wonderful young woman. She is what you need, not
I.”

“
You wish me to court
Claresta?”

“
It’s what is
expected.”

“
Yes, but only because of an
agreement I made that I am sorely regretting.”

“
Still, an agreement is an
agreement,” Emily reminded him. “Besides, even without the
agreement we would never suit. You are who you are.”

“
Did those weeks at the
cottage mean nothing to you?”

Emily was surprised by the venom in his
tone. “You at least had the advantage of knowing how impossible it
was for us and led me to believe otherwise. I am still not sure
what you are about. Is this a game to you? Was it a game then? What
is the purpose when there will be nothing between us at the end of
the season?”

Chapter 9

Tonight Emily would attend a
Shakespearean play with just Claresta, Her Grace and Noah to escort
them. No dancing, no talking, no crowds. Other than the necessary
intermission, she would be secluded in the private box with only a
few and be able to watch the play. It sounded like a perfect
evening. Heaven knew she wasn’t ready for another meeting with
Dillon. She tried to block out his last words,
Did those weeks mean anything to you?
Had she given too much away with her response? Whatever
feelings had developed between them had been genuine, which made
this situation all the more difficult. Still, if he had been honest
about who he was, none of this would have ever happened. If he’d
admitted that first day that he was the heir to the snootiest
family in the area, she would have never ridden that direction
again.

The theatre was crowded when they
finally arrived, but Noah was instrumental in guiding them through
the crowd to the duke’s private box. Emily let out a sigh of relief
and sank into her seat. London may have many interesting pursuits
to offer, but the crowds were suffocating. This was the very reason
she preferred to remain in the country. At home, even at the most
crowded assembly one could breathe, unlike the social events
here.

Below her in the pit, the spectators
were in a joyous mood. The girls selling oranges wove their way,
quite skillfully, through the crowds. Laughter surrounded her and
Emily’s eyes shifted from one gathering to another before looking
at the occupants in the other private boxes. Many faces she
recognized and nodded at their similar greetings. Two boxes down,
Mr. and Mrs. Chambers had taken their seat. Emily could have done
without seeing them, but decided not to let their presence dampen
her festive mood.

The duchess turned toward the door. “I
am so glad you could join us, Mr. Chambers.”

No. Not tonight,
please.
Slowly she turned in that
direction. Standing in the doorway, looking more handsome than
anyone had a right, Dillon nodded in her direction. He was dressed
formally in a black, tight fitting jacket. His white shirt and
cravat were bright against his tanned faced. The man was a
rogue!

He smiled and greeted everyone warmly,
lingering perhaps a little too long over her hand than necessary.
What was his game tonight?

“
I asked Mr. Chambers to
join us when Lord Felding hinted that he didn’t have enough arms to
escort three ladies,” Her Grace explained.

Claresta seemed all too happy to see
him. Must Emily endure their affection for one another yet another
night?

Noah took his seat in the second row,
next to the duchess. Claresta stood and moved to the last seat in
the front row, leaving a chair between them. “Please, Mr.
Chambers.” She gestured to the chair. Dillon didn’t hesitate and
settle himself.

This is too
much
.

Dillon turned back to his hostess. “I
did not ask, what is the play this evening?”

An odd look showed on Her Grace’s face,
and Emily was hard pressed to define it. “Romeo and
Juliet.”

Dillon held the woman’s eyes for a
moment and a small smile appeared on his lips. “A very good choice,
indeed.”

“
Yes, I somewhat thought you
would feel that way.”

Emily was mortified. Of all the plays,
this was the last one she would have subjected herself to. She
didn’t need a reminder of what happened when two lovers went
against their parents’ wishes. Not that she and Dillon were lovers,
by any stretch of the imagination, she just didn’t want any
reminders. Next time she would ask the duchess for the name of a
play or opera before simply accepting a response of
“Shakespeare”.

Before anyone else could speak, the
lights were lowered and the play began. Emily only halfway paid
attention. As soon as it was dark, Dillon had shifted his weight
and his leg was now pressed against hers. Emily had tried to scoot
away, but he only shifted again. She would have moved further but
then she would have been on the floor and she wouldn’t give him
that much control. Instead, she did her best to ignore the warm
strength pressed against the outside of her thigh and concentrate
on the play.

When the lights came up to signal
intermission, Emily sprung from her seat. In her concentration of
trying to pay attention to the play and ignore Dillon, Emily had
been unaware that the others in her party had left them alone.
Quickly she exited to find Her Grace fretting by the door with
Claresta on her arm.

“
What is it? What is
wrong?”

“
I am afraid Claresta is
ill.” Her Grace looked down at her daughter. “I have sent Lord
Felding for the carriage.”

“
Let me grab my wrap.” Emily
turned toward the door.

“
No, please don’t leave on
my account,” Claresta begged in a pained voice.

Emily narrowed her eyes. Claresta
didn’t look at all ill to her.

“
I can’t very well stay on
my own.”

“
Is everything alright Lady
Claresta?” Mrs. Chambers approached from the hall.

“
I am afraid my daughter has
taken ill. Lord Felding has gone to fetch the carriage.”

“
Oh dear. I hope it isn’t
anything too serious,” the woman cooed.

She may be Dillon’s mother, but Emily
could not like the woman.

“
I am sure she is just
exhausted from all the late evenings,” Her Grace answered with a
bit of irritation.

Perhaps the duchess didn’t like Mrs.
Chambers any better than Emily did. Hopefully that wouldn’t hinder
any future in-law relationships between Claresta and
Dillon.

“
Will you be joining us
then, Chadwick? Or will you be escorting Lady Claresta and Her
Grace home?”

Dillon opened his mouth but wasn’t
given a chance to answer.

“
I was hoping he would
escort Miss Frasier,” the duchess suggested.

“
It’s not necessary,” Emily
quickly insisted. “I don’t mind leaving now.”

“
Nonsense. I know how much
you have looked forward to seeing this play.”

“
I couldn’t ask either Mr.
Chambers or Emily to leave,” Claresta added in a weak voice. “Just
yesterday Mr. Chambers and I were discussing how much he was
looking forward to this production with as much enthusiasm as Emily
had shown. I would feel absolutely wretched if I were the cause of
them both missing the ending.”

“
I already know how it
ends,” Emily answered through clenched teeth, eyes narrowed on
Claresta. She had just told an outright falsehood, at least as far
as it pertained to Emily. “Besides, you already feel wretched, I’m
sure.”

“
Still, I could never
forgive myself if I was the cause of spoiling Mr. Chamber’s
evening.” Claresta looked up at him with her big blue eyes,
beseechingly. “Please escort Emily. I’m sure I would feel better
just knowing neither of you had to miss this evening.”

The little actress. Claresta should be
playing Juliet.

“
Yes, you both must stay. I
insist,” Her Grace ordered in her most ducal tone.