Page 12 of A Duke Reformed (Icy Dukes #3)

Cecilia sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"There's a gentleman," she revealed, fiddling with her fingers.

"He's been... persistent. No matter how much I try to avoid him, he always seems to find a way to cross my path.

At balls, at the park, even at the lending library.

It's as if he's everywhere I go and he won't leave me alone. "

Emma's brow furrowed and she sat up. "Who is he? Has he done anything improper?"

"No, he..." Cecilia stuttered.

"Cecilia, tell me the truth. Do not leave anything out," Emma insisted, leaning forward. "Who is this man?"

"It's Lord Pearlton, the Earl," she answered.

"He's not exactly unfriendly, but he's not.

.. warm either. He's just... there. Always there.

He always tries to talk to me, even when I'm clearly trying to avoid him.

He'll stand too close, or steer me away from others, as if he doesn't want me talking to anyone else.

It's... uncomfortable. I don't like it."

Emma's jaw tightened. "Have you told him politely that you're not interested?"

Cecilia nodded. "I have. But he just smiles and says he's willing to wait. He says he's certain I'll come around eventually."

Emma stared at her sister, as a mixture of shock and frustration bubbled up inside her.

She massaged her nape, trying to figure out what to do.

"Cecilia, why didn't you come to me with this sooner?

You shouldn't have to deal with this on your own.

I'm your sister and chaperone. If I had known you were uncomfortable around him, I wouldn't have let him have that much access to you. "

Cecilia's gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her skirt. "I... I didn't want to bother you. You've already been dealing with so much."

"You have to stop thinking like that Cecilia," Emma cautioned her. "Let me pick my own battles."

"I know, but I just didn't want to add to your burdens because I thought it would go away. I felt guilty, Emma. Guilty about everything that's happened, and I didn't want to put more on your plate."

Emma's chest tightened, her frustration melting into something softer.

She reached across the carriage, taking Cecilia's hand in hers.

"Cecilia, you're never a burden. Never. I'm your sister, and it's my job to look out for you.

You don't have to carry everything on your own. That's what I'm here for."

"I did tell Papa about it," Cecilia said. "I thought he would be in a better position to tell the earl off, but he did nothing. That's the reason we quarreled this morning."

"What?" Emma asked. "You told Papa about it and he did nothing?"

"He encouraged me to court him," Cecilia said and rolled her eyes. "He said the gentleman comes from a good family, and that it would be a... a beneficial match."

Emma's breath caught. "Hewhat?" she asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. "He encouraged you to court a man who makes you uncomfortable? A man who won't take no for an answer?"

"He said I was being too sensitive. That the gentleman's persistence is a sign of his... admiration. But I don't want to encourage him. I just want him to leave me alone."

Emma's jaw tightened and her hands clenched into fists in her lap. She felt a surge of fury at their father. How could he be so blind? So careless with his own daughter's feelings? It hurt more because he wasn't always like this. He had changed over the years. Slowly, but surely.

"I think Papa's silent approval is also giving Lord Pearlton confidence too," Cecilia added.

"I'll talk to Papa," Emma said to her. "You need not worry. If Lord Pearlton is making you uncomfortable, Papa will put a stop to it. He may not always show it, but he cares about your well-being."

"Thank you." Cecilia managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. Her expression shifted as she glanced at Emma with a hint of curiosity. "Speaking of difficult men... how are your lessons with the duke going?"

Emma blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "My lessons?" she repeated. "They're... going well I suppose. Today, he managed to hold a conversation with a viscount for ten minutes. That's progress in my books."

Cecilia laughed and shook her head. "I cannot believe that you are teaching a grown man how to speak in public without insulting anyone."

"Tell me about it," Emma said, rolling her eyes. "But at least he's trying. Sort of."

"I reckon he might enjoy your company as well," Cecilia added. "The more I see it, the more I realize that you are probably the only friend he has."

Emma groaned. "Not you too, Cecilia. I have already had Lavinia and Alice teasing me about this. Let's just leave this odd relationship that we have at a professional level."

Cecilia held up her hands in mock surrender. "All right, all right. I'll stop. But for what it's worth, I think you're doing a wonderful job with him. And thank you for all that you do for the family."

Emma sighed, though she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Thank you, Cecilia. I'll remind myself of that the next time he calls me ‘Ducky'."

"Ducky!" Cecilia gasped, laughing out loud. "Ducky? He calls you Ducky?"

Emma couldn't help but laugh too. "I don't think he means to." She giggled. "At least, I hope he doesn't. It's just... the way he says it. Like it's the most natural thing in the world. I don't know, but one thing I do know is that it is infuriating."

Cecilia clutched her side, unable to control her laughter. "Oh, Emma, that's priceless. I can't decide if it's endearing or utterly ridiculous. Why can't he just call you... darling, or love?"

Emma put her hand to mouth, trying to control herself, but the more Cecilia laughed, the harder she laughed too. As their giggles subsided, Emma realized that they hadn't laughed like this in a long time. Not since before their mother had passed.

The carriage had barely come to a stop before Emma was out the door.

She didn't bother to remove her gloves or bonnet as she made her way down towards the house.

Breezing past the open heavy oak door, she made her way straight to her father's study, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hall.

Cecilia did nothing to stop her. Her intention and motivation was clear.

She found him exactly where she expected, slumped in his favorite armchair by the fireplace, a half-empty glass of brandy in his hand.

The room smelled of tobacco and alcohol, and the air was thick with the stench of his despair.

Howard looked up as she entered, his eyes bloodshot and his face flushed.

"Emma," he said, his voice slurred. "You're back early. How was the... the thing? Was it a ball?"

Emma closed the door behind her and sighed. It was difficult to stay angry at the man when all she felt for him was pity. "The thing was fine, Papa. But we need to talk."

Howard blinked, his brow furrowing as he set his glass down on the side table. "Talk? About what?"

Emma crossed the room and crossed her hands tightly in front of her. "About the Lord Pearlton."

"Ah, yes. Lord Pearlton. Fine man, isn't he?" Howard said, struggling to rise to his feet.

Emma's eyes narrowed. "Fine man? Father, the man is practically stalking Cecilia. She told me she confided in you about his behavior, and instead of putting a stop to it, youencouragedher to court him. What were you thinking?"

Howard sat back down on his chair, unable to stand his gaze avoiding hers. "Now, Emma, let's not exaggerate. Lord Pearlton is a gentleman of good standing. If he's taken an interest in Cecilia, it's only natural that she should encourage him. After all, we need all the help we can get."

"Help? Father, the man follows her everywhere. He sends her letters, shows up to events, and practically hovers over her like a vulture. That's not courtship, that's obsession. And instead of protecting her, you're pushing her into his arms!"

"You are exaggerating, Emma," he said to her. "And I will not stand and let you insult a titled man. He is a wealthy man with connections. Getting acquainted with him could solve all our problems."

Emma stared at him, her heart pounding with anger. "At what cost, Father? Cecilia is terrified of him. She only agreed to entertain his advances because you told her it was her duty. How could you do that to her?"

Howard's expression softened, and he ran a hand through his graying hair. "Emma, I'm not forcing her to marry him. I'm simply suggesting that she keep her options open. Besides, staying close to a man like Lord Pearlton could increase her prospects. And ours."

"Increase her prospects? At what cost, Father? Cecilia deserves better than to be pushed into a match with a man she's afraid of. She deserves to be happy."

"I know Pearlton," Howard said. He tried to stand again, and this time, he succeeded. "He might come on a bit strong, but he is a good man. You of all people should know that the more interested a gentleman shows in a lady, the better her chances of securing a better match."

Emma slowly dropped her arms. "So, you are not trying to force Cecilia to marry him?"

"Of course not," Howard said, leaning heavily on the table.

"My goodness, we don't even have her dowry yet.

How could I force her into anything? I'm just trying to keep our options open.

Lord Pearlton may not be ideal, but he's shown interest, and that's more than most have done.

If Cecilia can secure a better match, all the better.

But for now, we need to play the hand we've been dealt. "

Emma sighed, her shoulders slumping as the fight drained out of her.

Although she still hated the idea, she could see the sense in it.

Her father was just a desperate man trying to keep the family afloat however means necessary.

While she didn't agree with his methods, she could understand his reasoning.

Still, that didn't mean she had to like it.

"But you have to promise that if he does anything inappropriate...that if Cecilia ever comes to complain about him to you again, you will stop this," she said finally, her voice quieter now.

"Emma, nothing is going to happen," Howard said, pouring himself another drink.

"Papa, I understand what you're trying to do. But I won't let Cecilia be pushed into something she's uncomfortable with. If Lord Pearlton continues to put pressure on her, I'll handle it."

Howard raised an eyebrow. "Handle it? And how do you plan to do that?"

"I'll make it clear to Lord Pearlton that his attentions are unwelcome. If it ever comes to that, I wouldn't care what it does to us."

"Fine," was all Howard said, bringing his glass to his lips.

Emma wanted to say something to him about his drinking, but she stopped herself and made her way out of the room.

Since she knew how Cecilia truly felt about Lord Pearlton's name, she decided she would be the guard dog she had always been.

She would make sure Lord Pearlton never got the chance to do anything inappropriate to her sister.

It was just one more thing to take charge of, one more burden to shoulder.

But she was used to it. After all, she had been carrying the burden of her family's troubles for a while now.

What was one more?