Page 25 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Probably. Yet she couldn’t seem to help it.
An hour later, during the ride home, she found her sympathy. Lady Carlisle had lectured Violet on the importance of keeping the duke happy until Emma felt quite sorry for her sister.
Meanwhile, Violet pouted and said very little in her own defense. She was subdued, and Emma wondered whether something was wrong.
As soon as they were inside Carlisle House, Violet excused herself. Emma summoned Daisy and went to her room.
“Lady Sophie wanted to stay up and talk to you,” Daisy said, removing the pins from Emma’s hair. “But she fell asleep.”
“I’ll see her tomorrow,” Emma said.
“She’ll want to hear all about any gentlemen you met.” Daisy took the brush off the dresser and slowly worked it through Emma’s hair. Her scalp was sensitive at first, but gradually the brush strokes became pleasant.
“I met a good-humored gentleman from Essex who danced like a dream,” Emma said.
“Was he handsome?”
Emma flushed. “Indeed.”
“Then I hope he calls on you tomorrow.” Daisy placed the brush on the dresser and started braiding her hair.
“So do I.” For the first time, she actually believed it might happen. If Mr. Adair came by in the morning, she would give him her prettiest smile and ask him about his favorite parts of Essex.
Daisy tied a band around the bottom of the braid, helped Emma disrobe, and bid her goodnight.
Emma went to bed and dreamed of wedding bells.
She was woken what felt like minutes later by someone shaking her shoulder.
She rolled onto her side, peering through her lashes. Lady Carlisle stood over her, her eyes so wide that white showed around the iris.
“Have you seen Violet?” she demanded.
Emma blinked, her mind sluggish as she tried to make sense of the sight of her mother standing in her bedchamber.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“The time doesn’t matter.” Lady Carlisle’s voice was shrill. “Violet is not in her bed. Do you know where she is?”
Emma sat up and patted the fluff that always formed on the sides of her head when her hair was braided. “Perhaps she’s with Sophie.”
Lady Carlisle sat on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes briefly. “Sophie is the one who realized she’s missing. She woke early and wanted to ask about the ball last night. Apparently she tried to wake you, but you wouldn’t stir, so she went to Violet’s room instead. The bed is empty.”
Rubbing her temples, Emma wondered why her mother seemed so frantic.
“Maybe she went to get breakfast.”
“She hasn’t taken breakfast, and none of the staff have seen her this morning.”
Emma shook her head, hoping to clear the remaining fog. “She could be anywhere in the house. Perhaps she went to the library early, and that’s why no one has seen her.”
Her mother gave her a look. “I searched the library and the drawing rooms.”
Emma bit her lip, beginning to understand why her mother was worried. “Could she have gone on a walk and taken Jane with her?”
“Mrs. Wilson woke Jane ten minutes ago. She hasn’t seen Violet since last night.” Lady Carlisle pressed her hand to her mouth. “What has happened to her? Where has she gone?”
“Let’s do our best not to panic,” Emma said. “Does Father know she’s missing?”
