Page 33 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
“Love matters more than reputation,” Emma said, pushing her chair back. She wanted to storm away, but she was afraid that if she left, they’d decide her fate without her.
“Maybe that would be the case if you’d already found a gentleman love,” Lady Carlisle said. “But how could anyone fall for you if you are persona non grata? They won’t bother to learn enough about you to care.”
Emma stared down at the table, willing herself not to cry. Her mother was right. Absent an existing suitor, the scandal of Violet’s elopement would make it difficult to secure another.
“Another scandal will come along soon,” Sophie said, and Emma flashed her a small smile as thanks for her support.
“It may not be soon enough,” Lord Carlisle said. “Even if the scandal blows over after a couple of years—which it may well do, since it’s not as if Violet married below her station—you may be too old to have your choice of husband.”
“But…” Emma blinked furiously. She would not cry.
“Your mother and I won’t force you to marry anyone,” he added. “But I would urge you to consider her suggestion. As I said before, he may well turn down the offer anyway, but it could garner goodwill, and if he accepted, it would smooth our path, particularly for Sophie.”
Emma rose to her feet. Her knees were weak, but she forced herself not to shake. “I will consider it.”
“We would like an answer by tomorrow,” Lady Carlisle said.
Emma nodded numbly. “You’ll have it.”
She turned and left.
She went to her bedroom, where she changed into her riding outfit. Daisy hustled into the room, her eyes wide.
“Is it true that the earl and countess wish for you to wed the duke?” she asked, then clapped her hand to her mouth as if realizing she shouldn’t have been so bold with her mistress.
Emma sighed. “Yes, but please don’t spread the word.”
Daisy mimed fastening her lips. “I’ll keep mum.”
“Thank you.”
Daisy studied her attire. “Are you going riding?”
“Yes. I’ll need a chaperone. Will you come with me?” Emma asked.
“Of course, my lady.” Daisy dipped into a quick curtsey. “Just give me ten minutes to change.”
While Emma waited for Daisy, she sent word to the stables to ready their horses.
When they arrived at the stable a while later, Emma’s beautiful bay mare, Heather, was waiting alongside a stockier mare that had been prepared for Daisy. A footman assisted Emma into the saddle, then did the same for Daisy.
Emma urged Heather into motion and guided her along the roads toward Hyde Park. The sky was gray, and there was a cool breeze. She was glad she’d worn several layers of clothing. Shegripped the reins tighter but was careful not to tug on them in case she unsettled Heather.
Eventually, they reached the wide-open spaces of the park. The grass was damp but not wet, and the horses had no trouble traversing it. Emma inhaled the twin scents of earth and horsehair. They calmed her, allowing her to breathe more fully than she had since before she’d received Violet’s letter.
She slowed and waited for Daisy to come alongside her.
“I don’t know what to do,” she confessed.
Daisy scowled. “Forgive me for saying so, my lady, but Lady Violet really ought to have thought of people other than herself before she acted so rashly.”
“I agree.” Emma’s gaze swept the park. It was largely empty at this time of the morning, but a young man and woman sat on a bench near the stream. The woman laughed at something the man had said, and he leaned toward her as if drawn magnetically.
A courting couple.
Emma’s heart ached. They looked so joyful. A maid hovered behind them, but they appeared oblivious to her as they talked. The man handed the woman a flower, and she tucked it behind her ear.
Emma swallowed, wincing with discomfort at the lump in her throat. “That’s what I want,” she whispered.
