Page 68 of His Tempting Duchess

That felt like an insult.

Emily flinched, her euphoria fading away. “Oh,” she uttered flatly.

He gave a wry smile. “I will order a carriage to take you home, Emily. I will pay you and your mother a visit tomorrow morning to discuss the details. We’ll be married without delay.”

With that, he strode out of the library without a backward glance, leaving her still breathless, sitting on the desk, not entirely sure what had happened.

Why am I disappointed? Oh, heavens. Don’t tell me I am growing too fond of the man. There is no way at all that thatcan end well.

Emily Belmont, you are a hopeless fool.

CHAPTER21

“Emily, the tea!”

Emily glanced down in time the following morning to see that the cup of tea she was pouring was overfull, tea spilling onto the saucer, and from there onto the neat white tablecloth. With a squawk, she put the teapot down at once.

It was too late, of course. Tea pooled on the tablecloth, the teacup and saucer swimming like soup bowls. She winced, patting the spreading pool of tea with a napkin.

“I’m sorry, Mama,” she murmured.

Octavia sighed, shaking her head.

A footman came forward, gently removing the ruined cup of tea and clearing the space, whipping off the soiled tablecloth. In the space of a few moments, a fresh tablecloth had been laid out and a cup of tea was steaming in front of her.

Emily bit her lip, staring down at the cup. It seemed odd to think that only a few years ago, such an incident would have been a disaster. They didn’thavetablecloths to spare. Or tea to waste, for that matter. Their servants were mostly laid off, and Octavia had spent hours poring over the household accounts, pinching and pinching until they could make ends meet.

If she had wasted so much tea then, spilling it on the tablecloth, Emily would have had to scrub the stain out herself. Times had certainly changed.

When the footmen were finished with their work, they retreated, leaving Octavia and Emily to stare at each other across the table.

Octavia was leaning back, her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed.

“There’s something you aren’t telling me,” she said shortly. It was a statement, not a question.

Emily wilted a little. “I’m fine, Mama.”

She glanced at the clock. It was past nine, their usual hour for breakfast. Cassian had said that he would call on her in the morning. That meant that there were only a few hours left until he arrived. How would she bear it?

Octavia sighed. “You must think I’m a fool. Is this regarding the Prince Regent’s offer? If you ask me, you ought to take him up on it, money notwithstanding. His patronage will do you good.”

Emily bit her lip, glancing away. “I intend to take him up on his offer. I’ve already started to sketch out the five pictures.”

“Oh? And what are they going to be?”

“Well, one is his birth, one is his ascension to the position of Regent, and the other three?—”

“Yes, yes, all very nice, Emily, but let us not beat about the bush here. If your worry is not these paintings, then what is wrong? I’m not a fool, you know. I am your mother. Every time I look at you, you seem to be staring off into the distance, worrying about something or another. Iknowwhen something is wrong, and I’d like to know what’s bothering you. You’re my only daughter left at home, Emmie. I want to make sure you’re safe and happy.”

Emily managed a weak smile. “I am happy, Mama. I just?—”

The door opened, and the butler stepped in.

Flinching, Emily spun around. “Yes, what is it?” she asked eagerly. “Is there a guest?”

The poor butler stared at her in consternation. “A… A guest, Miss Belmont? At this hour? I am afraid not. I have only brought Lady St. Maur a few calling cards left last night.”

Emily wilted a little, feeling silly. “Oh,” she muttered.

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