Page 70 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Mrs. Travers nodded her approval and left him to his business. He dragged his hands down his face and wished he could weasel out of what was sure to be an unpleasant encounter.
Miss Snowe had made no secret of her interest in him, and she’d proven she could be conniving—she’d tried to get him on his own, presumably to entrap him, on more than one occasion.
He could have just given in to her and saved himself the trouble of finding a wife in London, but her attitude reminded him a little too much of his mother’s.
Vaughan checked that his clothes were in good order and hurried down the stairs to the drawing room. He reached the door just in time to hear Mrs. Snowe make a remark about how close her daughter had come to being the duchess, and readied himself to barge in and defend Emma’s honor.
But then she did it herself. Without quavering or losing her temper.
When he entered, Emma’s chin was raised high, and she was looking down her nose at Mrs. Snowe like she was an insect Emma had found on the bottom of her boot.
Vaughan silently cheered her on. He should have known that she could defend herself. She may be quieter and more reserved than her sister, but she’d never let him think her weak, so why would she be any different with others?
Pride flashed through him. His wife was an impressive woman.
“Duke,” Miss Snow exclaimed upon seeing him. “How charming of you to grace us with your presence.”
He greeted them both and joined the group, making sure to position Emma between himself and Miss Snowe, lest the latter attempt anything like she had previously. He assumed his marriage would end her machinations, but one could never be certain.
“We were just getting to know the new duchess,” Mrs. Snowe said.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Vaughan sent Emma a sidelong look and quirked his lips. “I consider myself fortunate to have her as my duchess.”
“Of course,” Miss Snowe murmured, batting her eyelashes at him. “She has been a most welcoming hostess.”
The door opened again, and Mrs. Travers shuffled in with a tray laden with miniature cakes. She placed them in the center of the table and flashed a quick smile at Emma. Vaughan wondered how he’d failed to notice that Emma had already earned the housekeeper’s respect.
“Cakes?” Emma offered their guests.
Mrs. Snowe reached for one, and Emma followed suit, raising it to her lips and taking a bite. Vaughan tried not to picture her mouth closing around something else. His cock took immediate interest.
“I couldn’t,” Miss Snowe said regretfully. “I must be careful of my figure if I am to find a husband. Too much cake makes ladies soft around the middle.”
She shot Emma a pointed look. Vaughan narrowed his eyes. He would not allow anyone to denigrate his duchess in her own home. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, Emma beat him to it.
“Then I am fortunate to be a married woman now, so I need not concern myself with such things.” She held Miss Snowe’s gaze while she took another bite. “I’m finding there are many benefits to being a duchess. Hopefully you too will secure a husband soon, and then you may eat all the cake you like.”
He silently applauded her.
It was not the only time he would do so over the course of their conversation. By the time the Snowes departed, Vaughan had a whole new appreciation for his wife.
He’d known that she’d be trained in how to handle social situations, but he hadn’t realized just how adept she would be at managing difficult personalities such as the Snowes without losing her composure.
Perhaps he had been incorrect to assume that she would be less able to smooth his way in society than Violet. Emma simply had a different technique. Where Violet was lively and friendly, Emma was calm and impossible to ruffle.
As Mr. Yeats showed the Snowes to the door, Vaughan stood and held out his hand to Emma. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that,” she said, her frosty expression finally cracking. “Are all of your neighbors so….”
“Affable?” he suggested.
She laughed.
“I’m sure the rest of our neighbors will meet with your approval,” he assured her.
Thankfully, Miss Snowe was the only girl in the area who’d set her cap for him so aggressively.
“The Holmes, beside the Snowes, are a married couple of a similar age to us. He is the youngest son of a baron who made money in mining, and she is a former governess. The neighbor to our south is a dowager. I’m sure she would be grateful for your company if you ever wished to call on her.”
