Splendid (11 page)

“Sophie is very well, thank you. We had a bit of a scare this afternoon, but everything is all right now.”

“A scare?” Lady Summerton's eyes grew round with interest. “Whatever do you mean?”

“Her son Charlie was almost run over by a hack. He would have been killed if a young maid hadn't run into the street and pushed him out of the way.”

Emma could feel Belle's eyes boring into her. She glanced upward, assiduously avoiding her cousin's gaze.

“Thank goodness he wasn't hurt,” Caroline said with obvious feeling. “I trust the maid is all right?”

“Oh, yes,” Alex replied with a grin. “She's splendid.”

Emma decided that the ceiling was, indeed, highly interesting.

“Is that a waltz I hear?” Alex asked innocently. “Lady Worth, may I have your permission to dance with your niece?”

Emma cut in before Caroline could reply. “I think I've promised this dance to someone else.” She was certain she hadn't promised the dance to anyone, but it was the best she could come up with under the circumstances. She looked desperately at Ned for assistance. Her cousin certainly had no desire to antagonize the powerful duke, and he quickly discovered the wonders of the ceiling that had so entranced Emma moments earlier.

Alex fixed his green stare upon her. “Nonsense,” he said simply. He turned back to Caroline. “Lady Worth?”

Caroline nodded her assent, and Alex swept Emma into his arms. When they reached the center of the dance floor, he smiled warmly down at her and said, “You are almost as beautiful in the ballroom as you are in the bedroom.”

She blushed hotly. “Why must you say such
things? Are you determined to ruin my reputation on my first night out?”

Alex raised his eyebrows at her distress. “I don't mean to boast, but I rather think that as long as I don't drag you out of the room and ravish you in the garden, I'm only enhancing your reputation. I don't go to these things often,” he explained. “People are going to want to know why I'm so taken with you.”

Emma had to concede his point. “Nevertheless, you don't have to make such a show of embarrassing me.”

“I'm sorry,” he said simply. Emma glanced up sharply at his grave tone and was stunned by the stark honesty she found in his eyes.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I accept your apology.” She stared into his eyes for a few moments longer and then, uncomfortable under the intimate caress of his gaze, quickly shifted her head and focused on his cravat.

“You might want to smile at me,” Alex said. “Or, if you can't manage that, at least look up at me. Everyone is watching us.” Emma heeded his words and lifted her face. “Much better. It's painful, you know, having you in my arms and not being able to look into your eyes.”

Emma didn't know what to say.

After a few moments, Alex broke the silence. “You can call me Alex, if you like.”

Emma regained a little of her spirit. “‘Your grace' will do just fine, I'm sure.”

“But I would prefer you to use my given name.”

“I would really prefer not to.”

Alex was glad Emma had a bit of her temper back. She had seemed so forlorn when they began their waltz. “You'll seem awfully silly ‘your graceing' me when I'll be calling you Emma.”

“I haven't given you permission to use my first name,” Emma reminded him.

“Really, Emma, I hardly think permission is necessary after what we shared less than an hour ago.”

“Must you remind me of that? I would rather forget it.”

“Really? I think you're lying to yourself.”

“You presume too much, your grace,” Emma said with quiet dignity. “You don't know me at all.”

“I'd like to.” Alex's grin was positively roguish. Emma marveled at how a simple smile could completely transform Alex's face. Just moments before, he had appeared hard and uncompromising, nearly sending Lady Summerton cowering across the room with a single glare. Now, his usual cynicism absent, he was almost boyish, his eyes bathing her in a warm green glow.

Emma felt all her mental capabilities slipping away as he pulled her closer. “I think you're deliberately trying to overwhelm me.”

“Am I succeeding?”

Emma stared up at him for several moments before she gravely answered, “Yes.”

Alex's arms tightened around her petite body. “Christ, I can't believe you said that to me here,” he said, his voice suddenly husky. “You're too damned honest for your own good.”

Emma lowered her eyes, unable to understand what had moved her to confess her feelings so starkly. “You think I'm too honest?” she said softly. “Well, I'm not finished yet. We met in a most unconventional manner, which is probably why we feel able to speak to one another so bluntly. I think you're a nice man, but a hard man, and I think you could hurt me without even intending to. I'm only in London for a few short months, and I'd like my stay
with my relatives to be as happy as possible. So I am asking you please to stay away from me.”

“I don't think I can.”

“Please.”

Alex was amazed at how a single soft word from Emma's lips could make him feel like such a cad. Nonetheless, he felt that after her soul-bearing speech, she deserved nothing less than complete honesty from him in return. “I don't think you understand how much I want you.”

Emma immediately went still. “The waltz is over, your grace.”

“So it is.”

She extricated herself from his arms. “Good-bye, your grace.”

“Until tomorrow, Emma.”

“I don't think so.” With that, she slipped away from him, deftly darting through the crowds until she reached her aunt.

Alex was still as he watched her move through the ballroom, her bright hair gleaming under the flickering candlelight. Her stark honesty had both unnerved him and intensified his desire for her. He didn't quite understand what he felt for her, and this lack of control over his emotions left him completely irritated with himself. With a quick step, he turned decisively away from the young fops and eager mamas who seemed intent on engaging him in conversation. Thankfully, he quickly located Dunford, who was standing at the edge of the ballroom watching him. “Let's get out of here,” he said grimly to his friend. Damn it, she'd simply have to accept that he just couldn't leave her alone.

Chapter 7

“I
am so glad you decided to let me go with you, Emma,” Belle said excitedly.

“I have a feeling I'm going to live to regret it,” Emma responded. She and her cousin were sitting in the Blydons well-sprung carriage on their way to return the earrings that Sophie had pressed into Emma's hands the day before.

“Nonsense,” Belle said offhandedly. “Besides, you might need me. What if you don't know what to say?”

“I'm sure I'll think of something appropriate.”

“What if Sophie doesn't know what to say?”

“Now, that's unlikely.” Emma said wryly. She glanced down at the diamond and emerald earrings in her gloved hand. “Too bad,” she said with a slight grimace.

“What?”

“These are awfully nice earrings.”

The carriage came to a halt in front of Sophie's elegant townhouse. The two young women alighted and quickly ascended the stone steps leading to the front door. Emma gave the door a decisive knock. It was opened within seconds, and Emma was treated to the sight of Sophie's comically thin, excruciatingly imperious butler. It has often been noted that butlers are far more discerning than their employers, and Graves was certainly no exception. No one
would enter the Earl and Countess of Wilding's home until he deemed them suitable. He stared down at Emma and Belle, black eyes sharp, and said simply, “Yes?”

Belle offered the man her calling card. “Is Lady Wilding receiving?” she inquired sharply, matching the butler's supercilious stare.

“Perhaps.”

Emma nearly laughed as she watched her cousin's jaw clench. Belle plodded on. “Would you please tell her that Lady Arabella Blydon is here to see her?”

Graves's eyebrows rose slightly. “Unless my eyesight fails me, which, incidentally, it never does, there appear to be two people on the doorstep.”

Belle's chin rose slightly as she ground out, “This is my cousin, Miss Emma Dunster.”

“Of course,” Graves said accommodatingly. “Allow me to show you to the yellow parlor.” He ushered them into one of Sophie's sitting rooms, his feet moving silently across the Aubusson carpet.

“Good Lord,” Belle muttered as soon as the butler was out of earshot. “I'm sure I've been here at least thirty times, and I still get grilled on the doorstep.”

“He's obviously very devoted to his employers. You should probably try to hire him yourself,” Emma laughed.

“Are you joking? I'd probably have to get references just to get into my own home.”

“Belle, darling!” shrilled Sophie, sailing into the room in a lovely bottle green morning dress that complimented her eyes. She seemed not to notice Emma standing quietly in the corner as she rushed to kiss Belle on the cheek. “I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to your fete. I heard it was spectacular.”

“Yes, it was,” Belle demurred.

“My
brother
even went,” Sophie said incredulously. “That's a first. Now where is your lovely cousin I've been hearing so much about?”

“She's right behind you.”

Sophie whirled around. “I am so pleased to—oh, my God.”

Emma smiled sheepishly. “I imagine you're a little surprised.”

Sophie opened her mouth, closed it, and then opened it again to say, “Oh, my God.”

“Well, perhaps you're a lot surprised,” Emma amended.

“Oh, my God.”

Belle moved to Emma's side. “I didn't think it was possible,” she whispered, “but Sophie really doesn't know what to say.”

“This is where you were supposed to jump in and smooth things over,” Emma reminded her.

“
I
certainly don't know what to say.” Belle grinned.

Sophie took a step forward. “But—you—yesterday—”

Emma took a deep breath. “I'm afraid I had borrowed my maid's frock yesterday.”

“Whatever for?” Sophie was slowly regaining the use of her rather extensive vocal prowess.

“That's actually something of a long story.”

“It is?” Belle asked.

Emma gave her cousin a cutting glare. “Well, if it isn't exactly long, it's kind of complicated.”

“Oh?” asked Sophie, eyes wide with interest. “Then I definitely want to hear all about it.”

“Actually, it isn't even all that complicated,” Belle mused.

Emma managed to poke her troublesome cousin in the side as she quickly explained how they were trying to avoid her aunt's preparations for the
party. “It was either the kitchens or flower arrangements,” she concluded.

“A perfectly dreadful fate,” Sophie agreed. “However, I can't imagine what Caroline had to say about your adventure.”

“The thing is,” Emma said meaningfully, “I can't imagine either.” She and Belle turned to Sophie with identical nervous smiles pasted to their faces.

“Ohhhh,” Sophie breathed, nodding slowly. “I see. Well, you can certainly be assured of my silence. It's the least I can do after you saved Charlie's life. As I said, I'll be forever in your debt.”

Emma quickly produced Sophie's stunning emerald and diamond earrings. “So you see,” she explained, “considering my true circumstances, I couldn't possibly accept these earrings. Please take them back. They so suit your green eyes.”

Sophie's eyes welled with unshed tears. “But I would so like you to have them. They're only trinkets compared with my son.”

“I think Emma would feel uncomfortable,” Belle said softly.

Sophie looked back and forth between the cousins, her gaze finally resting on Emma. “I do want to give you something in thanks.”

“Your friendship will be more than enough.” Emma's voice was quiet and deep with emotion, for she knew that Sophie would prove to be a true and loyal friend despite her rather unnerving brother.

Sophie took both of Emma's hands into her own “
That
you will have always.” And then, as if than wasn't enough, she suddenly let go of Emma's hands and embraced her in a warm hug. “Oh! Where are my manners?” Sophie suddenly exclaimed “Please sit down,” she said, motioning towards the golden-hued sofas. Emma and Belle smile
as they made themselves comfortable. “Now, let's get down to what's really important,” Sophie said emphatically. “Gossip. I want to hear everything about last night.”

“It was marvelous,” Belle exclaimed. “I tell you, if Mama wanted to show the
ton
that she considered Emma as dear as a daughter she surely succeeded. She introduced her to absolutely everyone.”

“How exciting for you,” Sophie commented.

Emma murmured her agreement.

“But also how wearying,” Sophie added more sympathetically.

“Oh yes.” Emma nodded.

“And everyone was there, simply everyone,” Belle continued. “Except you, of course. As you know, even your brother made an appearance. Everyone was incredibly surprised. People couldn't stop talking about it.”

“Yes, I too was a bit surprised—” Sophie began. And then she suddenly remembered that her brother had been with her the day before, and, whipping her head around to face Emma, she exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! Whatever did you say? Whatever did he say?”

“Actually, I think I said something along the lines of ‘How do you do? '”

“
After
he kissed her hand for twice as long as is proper,” Belle added excitedly. “Once people finally stopped talking about how shocked they were at his appearance, they couldn't stop talking about the way he was pursuing Emma.”