Page 18 of The Scot’s Seduction (Heirs & Spares #2)

It was just a bit past twelve o’clock—early for most Society people to leave a party, but Drusilla was conscious her guests had little experience with parties, and she didn’t want to wear them out.

Particularly him. She hoped his stamina would be up for what she was anticipating happening later that evening.

Though she could be a bit hasty, she knew, so she might have to temper her expectations.

“You had a good time, then?” the earl asked, his voice softer than usual.

Miss Emily turned to him, her smile gleaming in the light cast by the streetlamps outside. “Indeed.” Her voice was soft. “I met so many lovely people, and got to dance with several handsome gentlemen—and my uncle,” she added, her tone mischievous.

The earl barked out a surprised laugh.

“Mrs. Smithwick invited all of us to a picnic she is having next week,” Miss Emily continued.

I bet she did , Drusilla thought.

She’d learned that Mrs. Smithwick was a widow, one with a substantial fortune and a talent for entertaining. If Drusilla was kinder, she would stay out of the other woman’s way when it came to the earl—but she was not.

When I am finished with him, you can have him , Drusilla promised. Even though—surprisingly—that thought made her feel just a bit growly.

“A picnic?” the earl said. “As in sitting outside with food and bugs and the sun?”

“Don’t make it sound so appealing,” Drusilla replied with a laugh.

“I just—it seems to me that there are plenty of useful things to be done outside, but eating and fending off tiny biting things is not one of them.”

“Tiny biting things?” Drusilla said, amused.

“I told Mrs. Smithwick I thought we could attend,” Miss Emily said in a worried tone.

“Of course, of course,” the earl reassured her. “We can go.”

“Oh, good,” Miss Emily said, clearly relieved.

“What did you like most about the party?” Drusilla asked. “It will help when it comes to planning your own debut.”

“Everything!” Miss Emily enthused. “The music, the dancing, the food, the guests—I am thrilled I will get to have my own party.”

Drusilla smothered a smile. She recalled when she had been so excited for her own come out. Before Mr. Wallins broke her heart and made her turn her back on what girls like Emily wanted so desperately.

“That is good to know,” she said. “With it so fresh in our minds, let’s discuss the party tomorrow. I was thinking we should have it in a few weeks.”

“Will that give your staff enough time to plan everything?” the earl asked.

Drusilla waved a hand. “Joey is always prepared for a party, and Bertha is constantly nagging me about not entertaining more. They will do what is necessary.”

“Of course I’ll pay for everything,” the earl said in a gruff voice.

“We can discuss that later,” Drusilla replied. “We’ll need to order Miss Emily’s ball gown, and the rest of your clothes.”

“More than what we already purchased?” the earl said, sounding aghast.

“Well, yes. If we are doing things like picnics and such, we’ll need to have you looking appropriate. I imagine you have clothing for doing whatever you do outside, but it won’t work here.”

“Hmph,” he replied.

“I know it’s only been a little while, but I wanted to say thank you for helping,” Miss Emily said. “I have every confidence my party will be wonderful, and I am certain I will be meeting my future husband soon.”

“You mean,” Drusilla said delicately, “that you don’t believe you met him this evening?”

Miss Emily gave her head a vehement shake. “No. Some of the gentlemen were pleasant enough, but I want to have the same feeling my mother had when she met my father. Like she’d been struck by lightning.”

“Perhaps it will rain on the day of the picnic,” the earl said dryly.

Drusilla snorted, then quickly disguised her laugh as a cough.

“Never mind that,” Drusilla said in a hasty tone. “We are almost home, and we should discuss what the plans are for tomorrow.”

“Several of the gentlemen asked if I would be at home tomorrow, so I want to be available should anyone call.”

“Even if they aren’t lightning-bolt material?” Drusilla said.

Miss Emily nodded. “I want to know what it is I don’t like as well as what it is I do like. How will I know the man I meet is the one I am supposed to be with if I don’t have anyone to compare him to?”

“Very wise, Emily,” the earl said after a moment.

“That sorts out the afternoon,” Drusilla said. “And prior to that, I think you and I should go to the dressmaker. Would you like to accompany us, my lord?” She knew what the answer would be; she was just relishing seeing his strong reaction.

“Good God, no.” The earl made it sound as though they’d asked him to attend an anti-Scotland party where everyone would complain about sheep and whisky.

The carriage slowed, and Drusilla glanced out to see that they were at her house.

She leapt out as soon as the coachman opened the door, not waiting for the earl to help her. He followed, turning to assist Miss Emily. The front door opened to reveal Joey, whose expression was startled.

“I wasn’t expecting you so soon,” she said. “Did you have a good time, then?” she inquired of Miss Emily.

Miss Emily tripped up the stairs. “It was wonderful, Miss Joey. There were ever so many lovely people and the music was wonderful.”

“Wonderful, eh?” Joey said, with a glance toward Drusilla.

“Indeed,” Miss Emily said as Joey led her into the house. She kept chattering as the earl and Drusilla made their way up the stairs.

“Thank you,” he said gruffly. “For tonight. For all of this.”

“I’m doing it for a reason, remember?” She didn’t want him to think she was simply being altruistic, to forget that there was an agreement between them.

“Yes. The building. But I can see that you are taking care with her, and I appreciate that.”

Drusilla felt embarrassed to be complimented for her grace. Now she regretted denying them when they’d first asked for her help, simply because—as the earl had pointed out—what Miss Emily wanted for herself was not what Drusilla would have chosen.

“Good night, Lady Dru,” Miss Emily said, darting down to place a kiss on her cheek. “And you too, Uncle.”

She sped up the stairs, and then Joey cleared her throat, making Drusilla give her a suspicious look.

“I’ll be off to bed as well, then,” Joey said, turning and heading toward the stairs leading to where she slept. Drusilla had offered for her to be on the same floor she was, but Joey had remarked that she liked her privacy and she imagined Drusilla did too.

Which left them alone.