Page 53 of Tempting a Gentleman
Emma nodded. “Very well.” Taking the red gown from Arabelle’s grasp, she boxed it up and trudged down the stairs.
Emma waited by the door for Arabelle to descend.
Taking the box from Emma, Arabelle asked, “Do you always dine on the floor?” Arabelle shifted her gaze back to the stairs.
Ignoring the question, Emma said, “Have yer maid press the gown.” She gently shoved Arabelle out the door. “I shall see ye at the ball.”
Leaning back against the door, she slid the bolts into place. She needed to make a few quick alterations to the green dress. Alterations that would tempt her dear betrothed.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Having never given his height much consideration prior, Christopher was newly thankful he had been blessed with a few extra inches as he scanned the crowd filling Landon’s townhouse. Where was Emma? He scrutinized every darn woman dressed in red. He studied the throng of ladies that consisted of the usual set of debutantes and a few country misses, but there was no sign of his fiancée anywhere.
Landon murmured, “Did the council grant your request?”
He inwardly winced, recalling his earlier meeting with the Network elders. His anxiety level had risen prior to presenting his request to the council, but not as high as it was now. He’d sought approval of his plan to have one of them accompany him as he extended invitations to each Network member on his list personally. Christopher wanted each member to know that it was an offer, not a demand, and that they may choose to decline if they wished. That he remained unmarked worked to his advantage. He wanted the members to go willingly.
Christopher glanced at his brother. Landon had adopted a relaxed stance, but his eyes were filled with worry. “I did. Cadby and I are to begin visiting the families tomorrow.” Landon’s eyes narrowed at the mention of his father-in-law, but Christopher ignored his older brother’s glare and nodded as more guests were announced. All the ceremonious aplomb grated on Christopher’s nerves. He took a step back and waited while Landon smiled and formally greeted the guests. Onlookers would have thought the Earl of Hadfield was thoroughly enjoying the nonsensical idle chatter, but Christopher noticed the back of Landon’s coat stretched taut. His brother's muscles grew tenser the longer the couple nattered on. Christopher scanned the room once more. With each passing second of not locating Emma, his pulse accelerated.
Having completed his salutations, Landon turned and asked, “How long do you anticipate it will take for you to obtain everyone’s consent?”
“Cadby anticipates a week; I’d say a few days.”
“Hmph. The man is not one to exaggerate.” There was no love lost between Landon and his father-in-law, but his brother did respect the man.
“Aye, but I’m not one to dally.” A honey blonde in a green dress, similar to the one he saw at Emma's shop, appeared briefly and exited onto the terrace. His heart leaped, but Emma had said she would be in red. His gaze flickered to Landon. “Have you seen my fiancée?”
“She’s most likely with my wife. I was tied up at the Foreign Office this afternoon, and I haven’t had a chance to locate Bronwyn.” Landon’s relaxed features remained in place, but his voice was definitely strained. “I had expected my wife to be here, next to me, greeting the piranhas…beg pardon, the guests.”
Christopher smothered a laugh. “I’ll leave you to your host duties. I’m off to find the women.”
Leaving his brother’s side, Christopher kept to the fringes of the crush. He milled about, relying on his ability to sense when she was near. The mass of bodies shifted like a school of fish. If the number of attendees determined the success of a ball, then Bronwyn’s first official event as a host was a smashing victory.
Christopher spied his cousin Theo in the corner with her usual guards, Waterford and his wife, Lady Mary, and made his way towards the trio.
He greeted Theo with a quick peck on the cheek. “Have you seen Emma?” Christopher took a half step back.
His cousin, who was more like a sister, stared at him through narrowed eyes and replied, “Not recently.” Theo’s pleasant smile masked her displeasure.
It was never a good thing to be in Theo’s bad graces. Christopher asked, “Why are you angry at me?”
The woman’s lips thinned into a straight line briefly. When he raised an eyebrow, Theo answered, “Your fiancée is the best modiste in town, and you are stealing her away.”
Ah. Given the request for them to venture off was from the Network and not a PORF dictate, it had obviously upset his cousin. The interference of either group affected many. Mayhap both parties would soon learn that meddling, no matter how well intended, had significant consequences.
Lowering his voice, Christopher said, “As you are aware, one decision can have an impact that trickles down to a countless number of souls.” With his private message delivered, Christopher smiled at the small group and settled his attention upon Theo. “Sarah and Maude will ensure your gowns will be as magnificent as the one you are wearing this eve.”
Theo replied, “Hmph. Not surprised it would take two to replace Emma.”
His cousin was right. The loss of Emma to both the Network and PORFs would be great. Selfish as it may be, he wasn’t going to be separated from Emma—ever.
Christopher spun and followed Waterford’s intense gaze. Bronwyn and his mama stood on either side of Landon. Uncertain when or if he’d see them again, he placed a hand over his chest to ease the sharp, hot stab to his heart. He was leaving them, his family, to start anew with Emma. Melancholy transformed into panic. Where in the blazes was Emma?
Theo placed a hand on his arm. She must have sensed his unease. “There is nothing to worry about. Emma is well guarded and protected here tonight.”
Her comment further rattled his nerves. Once they were abroad with only a small contingent of Network members, who would assist him in ensuring Emma’s safety? The New World was reputed to be wild and dangerous. Damnation. Unlike Landon, he often hastily agreed to matters. But this wasn’t a matter of haste; he wanted Emma, and he was confident she was the woman for him.
Christopher rolled slightly onto the balls of his feet to gain a few more inches over the sea of coiffeurs. “Still, I won’t be sure until I have her within sight at the very least.”
