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“I do not mean the scandal, I mean everything else. You were practically my mother, and you never asked for anything inreturn. You were prepared to remain a spinster all your life if it meant finding me the best possible match. I cannot, and I will not, allow you to go a second longer without realizing just how much you have done for me.”

“Well, I suppose that I never thought of it that way. I simply wished to take care of you, and so I did. I never expected any acknowledgement for it.”

“Well, now you have it. Come, we must call upon the modiste with much haste!”

She rose to leave, and Emma followed, but as they left the library they were met by the butler, who could not seem to meet their eyes.

“Your father wishes to see you, Miss,” he said to Sarah. “It appears a gentleman has called on you.”

CHAPTER 17

Fortunately, the suitor was not the Viscount.

Emma felt a greater relief than she had ever thought possible when she saw Sarah walking with the Baron in the gardens, accompanied by their maid. She supposed that she was no longer trusted to act as chaperone, and she did not mind that too much.

What she did mind, however, was the fact that her own plans had changed completely. She had her aims, and though they were not perfect they were at least her own. She had never been the sort to dream of a stately home and fabulous wealth, but she could not be ungrateful for it. After all, who could ever be resentful of such a life?

Except she was.

The following morning came, and the Duke arrived for their walk. They left the household quickly, the maid following alongafter them. Emma did not know what to say, but given the silence she decided that he did not either. Someone, she decided, had to say something.

“It feels strange doing this,” she said suddenly.

“Because we are already engaged?”

“I suppose, although that is not what I mean. It has simply been a long time since I have been courted. Not that I was ever in a serious courtship, of course. I simply had a lot of callers.”

“I do hope you are not trying to make me jealous,” he joked, and she sighed, an undeniable smile on her lips.

He could be a friend to her, at least.

“Not at all, Your Grace.”

“Perhaps, in light of the circumstances,” he said carefully, “you might drop the formality? I should like to do the same.”

“The circumstance being that we are engaged, or the circumstances that led to such an engagement?”

“Both of them, I would say. We might as well do so now, if you do not mind?”

“Of course not.”

“Very well, Emma.”

He had a grin on his face as he said it, and Emma couldn’t deny the strange feeling in her chest as he called her by her given name. It was personal, somehow even more so than their kiss. It was the last wall she had been able to keep between the two of them, and now…

“Indeed, Levi.”

It felt strange to say, but he seemed satisfied and they continued on their way.

“We are, indeed, engaged, are we not?” she asked.

“I should think so, given that I asked you to marry me and you accepted. Why do you ask?”

“Because, and you mustn’t take this to mean I crave material things, but there is no ring.”

“Oh! Yes, of course. It must have slipped my mind when your father was being so …dreadfully traditional.”

“You may come to expect no less from him, for he will not change.”