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“I have had a very tiresome evening, Lady Emma,” William said. “Perhaps this could wait?”

“It is ‘Duchess’ or ‘Madam’ to you,” Emma replied, coming to a standstill on the step just above him. “And Iwillsay my piece to you now.”

William shrugged. “Very well. What is it you have to say to me, after all these years?”

“If you hurt her, if you upset her, if you do anything that makes her feel unwelcome or unsafe or uncomfortable, I will ruin you.” Emma was breathing fast, her knuckles white as she gripped the banister.

William laughed tightly. “I would not have had to marry your sister if you had not left me at the altar, Duchess.” His laughter faded. “But I admit, you were right to run that day. We were severely unsuitable for one another.”

“Just because I could not stop it does not mean I accept it.” Emma shook her head. “All of this for revenge—I hope you know that it will never taste sweet. As I said, the moment you do something to upset her, I will ensure it remains sour.”

William tilted his head to one side, a thin smile on his lips. “How arrogant you are, Duchess. I see the years have not humbled you.” He made a low, tutting sound that was sure to irritate Emma. “This is not about you. Lydia is a fine, spirited woman, and I believe she will be a far better wife than you would ever have been. Luck brought her to me, and luck shall keep her by my side.”

Listening to every word, Lydia could not restrain her smile. After so many years of being in the shadow of her sister’s scandals, it was rare that she was the main subject of any conversation. So, it pleased her all the more to hear her sister fighting to protect her, and William defending her in the same breath.

Indeed, it was almost a shame that she planned to prove him wrong.

Deciding that it was beneath her to eavesdrop any longer, for eavesdropping had not served her particularly well as of late, she made a dramatic display of emerging from the servants’ corridor and closing the door behind her. As if she had heard nothing, she wandered over to the staircase and looked up, feigning surprise.

“Oh, apologies.” She paused. “Am I interrupting?”

Emma shot William a sharp look. “Not at all. I noticed the Duke walking past my guest chambers and wanted to ask him if you were still enjoying the festivities.” She smiled down at Lydia. “I am sorry to have retired so early.”

“Are you feeling better?” Lydia asked brightly.

Emma nodded. “A little, but this is not about me. Are you enjoying yourself? Is the Duke taking good care of you?”

“Actually, I was about to retire myself,” Lydia said, beginning up the stairs. “I have had a wonderful evening, Your Grace, but I am unaccustomed to so much excitement. Is your mother well?”

William’s face clouded over. “She is none of your concern.”

“Her mother-in-law is none of her concern?” Emma interjected, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course not,” William replied, gesturing toward the upper floor. “If you are retiring, your chambers are next to mine. There ought to be a maid stationed outside of it, so you cannot miss it.”

Emma folded her arms across her chest. “Youare not going to guide her there? She does not know this house.”

“She will find it. As I said, she will not be able to miss it,” William replied.

With that, he made his way down the stairs, not pausing to bid Lydia goodnight or say anything more. He simply kept walking and disappeared down the hallway, out of sight.

For reasons Lydia could not explain, his abrupt departure saddened her. Just as it had disappointed her when he had informed her that they would not be dancing twice, and he could not have marched away from the dance floor quicker.

But she refused to let Emma see that as she continued up, stopping to give her a hug. “All is well, Emma. Do not fuss. He is right, Icanfind my way. I have searched enough manors for libraries—it cannot be much different to find my chambers.”

“You still do that?” Emma pulled back from the embrace, smiling.

Lydia swallowed, cursing her loose tongue. “Sometimes. Not as often as I used to. I suppose the fear of being caught has increased with my age, for what is considered endearing and mischievous in a child is not quite as endearing in a grown woman.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Emma asked. “I was going to see if I could find some lemonade and bring it to my room, but I can delay that if you need company.”

Lydia kissed her sister’s cheek if only to hide her dismay. “I will be fine, I promise. I know you are practicing for when your child is born, but there really is no need to fuss. This is… my home now, for a while at least, so I should get used to it.”

“Iamfussing. I am so sorry, Lydia.” Emma hugged her again. “But if you do need anything, just?—”

Lydia groaned and pulled away, chuckling as she headed up the stairs. “You are incorrigible. Your poor child is going to be the most loved, most fussed over, most protected child in existence. Still, at least it will relieve some of the pressure on me.”

“Goodnight, sweet sister!” Emma called, grinning. “If I have a daughter, I pray she is exactly like you and nothing like me!”