Page 55 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Emma blinked the sleep from her eyes, suddenly remembering the maid’s name. “Thank you, Jessie. You can set it on the writing desk.”
Jessie placed the platter on the small desk in the center of the room and excused herself. Emma wandered over, curious as to what she’d been served. She lifted the lid, and the aroma of freshly cooked mutton filled the room.
The breeze stirred the curtains. It had grown cold, so she closed the windows and sat to eat. The mutton was well done, and it was accompanied by boiled potatoes and greens. She ate hungrily, then checked what was in the other covered bowl, beaming at the sight of a slice of chocolate tart.
She dug her spoon into the tart and scooped it into her mouth. Oh, that was good. Dark and rich but sweet enough to make her want more. She had a feeling she was going to enjoy eating Mr. Travers’s meals—especially without her mother here to control her intake of sweets.
Soon after she finished, Jessie returned to collect the tray. Emma read for a while, but set her book aside when Daisy pushed the door open and peeked around the corner. When she spotted Emma, she entered. Emma hurried over and hugged her maid tightly.
“It’s so good to see you,” she said.
“It feels like it’s been more than two days,” Daisy said. “I was surprised to hear we were bound for Norfolk, but so far, I like it here. The house is amazing, and the servants have been nice to me.”
“I’m glad you’re taking it in stride. I was surprised too,” Emma admitted.
“How was the wedding?” Daisy asked.
Emma cringed. “Honestly, I don’t remember much of it.”
While Emma told her what she did recall, Daisy helped her undress and change into a nightgown. She selected one of hernew ones, wondering whether her husband would see it this time.
Daisy brushed her hair until it shone and then left her alone to nervously await the arrival of the duke. She half-expected him not to appear, but unlike last night, he didn’t leave her waiting. There was a knock at the door between their rooms soon after Daisy had departed.
Emma went to the door and paused for a moment to summon her courage before opening it.
“Hello.” She brushed a nonexistent strand of hair away from her face.
“Good evening.” The duke shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He’d removed his cravat, and her gaze was drawn to the vee of chest revealed by the open two buttons of his shirt. A few chest hairs peeked through, and she couldn’t look away. She’d never seen a man’s chest before. Especially not a duke’s.
CHAPTER 14
Norfolk,
November, 1819
“What’s your name?”Emma blurted because really, she ought to stop thinking of him as “the duke,” and “Ashford” felt too distant for a man she’d share her life with.
He cocked his head. “It’s Vaughan. Haven’t I told you that?”
She blushed, a little embarrassed not to have known.
“Vaughan Stanhope,” he said with a bow. “The Duke of Ashford, at your service.”
She hid her amusement, grateful he hadn’t been annoyed by her blunder.
Vaughan. She liked the name. It suited him. Very firm.
She offered him her hand. “Emma Stanhope, the Duchess of Ashford. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
He grinned. “We are doing all of this rather backward, aren’t we?”
“So it would seem.” She backed away from the door. “Would you like to come in?”
He stepped through. “Thank you. May I sit?”
“Please do.” God, this was excruciatingly awkward, but at least he hadn’t left her waiting and wondering what she was supposed to do again.
He glanced around and then sat on the small wooden chair beside the dresser. Emma was surprised it could bear his weight, but she supposed it must be well-made. She took the chair behind the writing desk.
