Page 7

She froze for a moment, bewildered. What exactly had passed between her sister and the Baron at dinner?

Before she could go to her, however, her friends stepped in front of her. Cecilia was smiling brightly, while Beatrice and Dorothy were looking at her with no little amazement.

“So,” Cecilia began, “these two shall be of no use speaking, but they had questions. What is happening between yourself and the Duke?”

“Nothing at all,” Emma protested, seeing the flicker of disappointment in her friends’ eyes. “He is a scoundrel, a rake through and through. I knew there had to be a reason for the way he greeted me today.”

“He certainly has a reputation, yes, but that does not signify. I have a reputation for being impossible to hold a conversation with, and yet you know that to be untrue.”

“It is not his reputation that concerns me, it was the way he spoke to me. And to my fellow diner, as well.”

“Gretchen Winston?” Dorothy managed to muster. “Why do you care about her? She is awful.”

“Be that as it may, nobody deserves to be ruined, and with the way he spoke to her, it was clear to me that those were his intentions.”

“Does that mean we cannot hold out any hopes for a courtship at all?” Beatrice pouted.

“Indeed. Should I ever see that man again, it will have been too soon. My apologies, but I must speak to my sister.”

Her friends nodded and stepped to one side, and Emma approached her sister. Before she could reach her, however, her father took her wrist and turned her to face him.

“I will not have you ruin this,” he growled, menacing although quiet enough so as not to draw any attention. “That is a perfectly fine gentleman for Sarah, no thanks to you.”

“I understand, Father. I was only trying to–”

“No. You could not do the one thing that you spinsters are supposed to be good for. If you cannot help your sister, then I will not allow you to be a hindrance to her either. Leave her be.”

Emma knew better than to disobey him. She stole another glance at Sarah, who had not even noticed her, and when her father left her alone she turned toward the door to leave.

“Emma, what is it?” Cecilia asked, suddenly wary.

“It is nothing, Cecilia,” she assured her. “I simply need a moment for air.”

“We shall come with you.”

“No, no it is quite alright. You are all enjoying yourselves.”

“Well, we shan’t do so knowing you are unhappy.”

“I am not unhappy,” she protested. “I simply need a moment for myself. I shall return in just a moment.”

Thankfully, they did not protest any further and she was able to leave. She choked on the air once she stepped outside, her hand over her chest. It felt as though she could not breathe.

She was a failure of a sister. She had to find Sarah the best possible match, and now she was sitting in the drawing room with a baron that she did not know at all. It wasn’t what they planned, and she blamed herself entirely. She had to be the one in charge. She had to be the one to find the perfect suitor, and now–

She heard a giggle nearby.

Snapping out of her panic, she stepped forward carefully. It was an incredibly girlish giggle, accompanied by a deep whisper. The hairs on her arms stood on end. Thankfully, of all people to catch someone being improper, scandalous even, Emma knew that she would not engage in gossip and ruin. She followed the voices until she found them, and she almost fell to the floor.

It was the Duke of Lupton and Gretchen, standing far too close to one another, whispering and laughing. Rage filled her at once, and she stormed over to them.

“What do you think you are doing?” she accused the Duke in a hushed voice. “Who do you think you are?”

“I am speaking to a lady, and I am the Duke of Lupton.”

Gretchen giggled again beside him, and Emma was completely dumbfounded by his reaction. He had beenseen, which meant he had imperiled Gretchen’s precarious reputation. He might have to marry the poor girl, or rather he would have if Emma told anyone. Fortunately, Emma would never do that to another lady— could he tell as much? Was that why he was acting in such a manner?

“Stay away from her,” she hissed, pulling Gretchen away.