Page 89 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“Hmm. Very well then. You may not know it, but that is exactly what I am trying to accomplish foryou.”

* * *

As it was such a lovely summer afternoon, Emily decided to hold the tea party in the garden. The Dunns had a set of table and chairs that the family often used for outdoor teas or lunches—particularly in the height of summer when it could be uncomfortably close inside thehouse.

The rest of the family was out. Ruth was now openly visiting with Spencer, and Mother and Papa were visiting some of their friends for tea, and it was Molly’s dayoff.

Just before Fanny and Trent were due, Emily visited Teresa in her room to see if she was ready. Emily found her sprawled out across her bedreading.

“Stand up. Our guests are about to arrive, and I want to look atyou.”

Teresa groaned but stood up and submitted to Emily’sinspection.

“Oh, Teresa. Look at your hair.” She went over and pulled loose strands of hair away from her face, tucking them back into place. “And more lip rouge.Now.”

Her sister grumbled butcomplied.

When done, Emily led Teresa to the kitchen to help prepare thetea.

“Set the table in the garden and wait out there. Fanny and Trent should be here any minute and I will heat the water and prepare therest.”

And, indeed, the front doorbell rang and Emily went to answerit.

Trent was holding a large bunch of flowers and Fanny was beaming with delight and clapping herhands.

“For you,” Trent said, thrusting the bouquet towardher.

Emily smiled, but said, “Trent, might I suggest you save those to give to Teresa. She is so excited you are going to be here this afternoon and I know it would mean the world to her if you presented them to her instead of tome.”

At first Trent seemed taken aback but smiled. “She is excited to see me?” heasked.

“She has not stopped talking about you since she bumped into you on the streetrecently.”

“Oh. Very well then, these shall be forher.”

Emily shepherded them inside and led them toward thegarden.

“The water is on the boil and I shall bring the tea out shortly,” Emily said as they passed through the sittingroom.

Fanny said, “I stopped at the bakery to bring some scones but they were closed. But knowing you, you probably made someyourself.”

“You know me too well,” Emily said leading them to the tea table where Teresa was seated with herbook.

“Look what Trent brought you,” Emily exclaimed as she pushed Trentforward.

Teresa looked up and gasped. She stood and dropped her book. “Are those forme?”

“They are,” Trent said. “Early blooms from ourgarden.”

Teresa took them and held them to her bosom. “They are lovely. Let me put them inwater.”

“Please sit and make yourselves comfortable,” Emily instructed, and then she and Teresa retired to thehouse.

As Teresa found a vase and put the flowers in water, she babbled, “Can you imagine Trent bringing me these flowers. That was so very sweet of him. And I have to say he is quite handsome. I must not have looked at him very muchbefore.”

“My dear, you always have your nose in a book. It is a miracle to me that you can walk down the street without striking a lamp post. Is it any wonder you never reallysawhim?”

“Well… it was very nice of him to think ofme.”