Page 22 of A Duke Reformed
"You are the most perplexing person I have ever come across, Your Grace," she murmured, unable to keep the bemusement from her tone.
Solomon arched a brow. "Am I?"
"Indeed," she said, eyeing him as though he were some great mystery in need of solving. "I have never before met a man so determined to strip the flesh from conversation until only the bones of logic remain. It is as if your mind cannot help but untangle the most trivial of matters and demand answers where none are needed. Is it not exhausting to constantly have questions?"
"It's frustrating," he said. "So the sooner I understand, the better. Which remind me. Since we are already together now, can we have our next etiquette lesson?"
Emma eyed him warily. "You wish to begin your lesson here? Now?"
Solomon gestured around them. "I see no reason to delay."
Emma sighed and nodded. The walk was a good opportunity to get one lesson done. Besides, they were walking alone, so no one was going to pry.
"Very well, Your Grace," she started by saying. "Since you are so eager to learn, let us begin with something of great importance. Your attire."
His gaze flicked down to himself, brows lifting. "What of it?"
"What you wear matters just as much as how you behave. Thetonnotices everything, and your attire is the first thing they will judge you on."
Solomon nodded, his expression serious now. "Go on."
"For formal events like balls or evening soirées, you'll need a black or dark blue tailcoat, preferably made of wool," Emma began. "Pair it with a white waistcoat, a cravat tied in a Mathematique or L'Orientale style, and black trousers. Your boots should be polished to a mirror shine, and don't forget gloves white kid gloves are the standard."
"That is exactly how I dress," he said and scanned himself again. "Emma, that is exactly what I'm wearing."
"That is my point, Your Grace," she said to him. "Are we at a ball? Or an evening soiree?"
Solomon opened his mouth, then promptly shut it. His brow furrowed as he glanced around, as if the scenery might suddenly transform into a grand ballroom to prove him right.
"Well..." he said at last. "No, we are not at a ball."
"Precisely. And yet, here you stand, attired as though you are about to waltz."
He scoffed. "Surely, it is not such a grave offense to be well-dressed?"
"You should be appropriately dressed," she corrected him. "That matters just as much as being well dressed."
Solomon exhaled slowly and nodded. "Very well. I take your point. What, then, should I wear for different occasions?"
Emma smiled to herself, thankful that he was actually listening. "For a morning walk in the park, a frock coat in a lighter color would be more appropriate. Paired with tan trousers and a simpler cravat. And certainly no white kid gloves."
"All right," was all he said, again looking down at what he was wearing.
Emma's lips twitched at his admission, but she did not gloat. Instead, she clasped her hands before her, assuming an air of authority. "If you are merely at home or engaged in light activity, like reading in your study or taking breakfast, a banyan or awell-tailored morning coat with a plain waistcoat and cravat will suffice. A gentleman's attire in his own home is informal but never slovenly no matter how much comfort he may crave."
"Now, for daytime engagements..." she continued. "... errands, or simply being out and about, you must wear a dark-colored frock coat over a lightly patterned or buff waistcoat, with trousers or breeches in a complementary shade. For town wear, trousers are preferred, particularly if you mean to walk along Bond Street. Hessian boots are standard... riding boots are also suitable."
"My goodness, this is a lot of information to take in at once," Solomon sighed.
Emma chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "Indeed, it is. But fear not, Your Grace. A visit to a reputable tailor will see you properly outfitted for every occasion. Once you have a wardrobe suited to your station, dressing appropriately will become second nature. Do you have a tailor, or might I suggest one?"
"I can ask Andrew, my business partner," he said to her. "He should be able to help in that regard."
"Perfect," Emma said, recalling that Andrew had impeccable dress sense.
They continued their conversation, taking turns around the park. This was, perhaps, the most civil and untroubled conversation they had ever shared and it warmed Emma's heart.Solomon now seemed willing to listen. It was a startling change, and yet, not entirely unwelcome. For the first time, she felt the tension between them ease, replaced by something dangerously close to familiarity. And though she would never admit it aloud, she found herself growing... comfortable in his presence.
CHAPTER NINE
