Page 44 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke
Emma and her father expected Silas Sutherland to issue a notice to leave for his tenants after his humiliation by Damien a week ago. Damien, in turn, had offered the use of his Curzon Street residence which currently had a skeleton staff due to the infrequency of his visits. Whatever little remained of the Montrose staff had been offered employment at Curzon Street.
“Then I will not interfere with your training. What with the packing at the old house and the movement of staff here, there is too much to do for you to fall behind.”
“I am sure that Mrs. Garrett will understand...” Elsie began.
“I do not wish for her to go through the trouble. I shall be fine alone. There are plenty of people about, it is not as if I shall be on my own,” Emma assured.
In truth, she had looked forward to Elsie's presence as a pair of ears that Emma could use to vent her fears and frustrations. Elsie knew of the scar and the cause. Had helped Emma to treat the scars, both mental and physical, down at Greenacre Sanatorium in Kent.
Elsie went to the dressing room, next door to the bedroom in which they both stood. It was a wardrobe in itself, with shelvesand cupboards lining the walls. She picked out an outdoor dress, sensible shoes, bonnet, and coat for Emma who changed quickly.
“What do you think the Duke will say when he hears that you have not allowed his dressmaker to measure you for a wedding gown?”
Emma shrugged. “He should not care. This is not to be a real marriage. I have agreed to go along with his plan, that should be enough.”
Elsie raised an eyebrow. “I do not know how a marriage is not real once you have made your vows in front of a priest. You're either married or not. But if he wants to do this because of his reputation, then it seems to me he'll want it to look every inch the real thing.”
“Then he shall have to compromise,” Emma shrugged, stepping into the dress Elsie had laid out for her. It was one of her favorites, dark blue and plain, though well made. It would be perfect to walk anonymously through the streets of the capital.
Within minutes, she was stepping out of the front door of number 3 Curzon Street and skipping down the stone steps leading down to the street.
She was greeted by a passing lady and gentleman, then by another as she walked westward in the direction of the impressively vast Hyde Park. The street became more crowded and the casual greetings ceased.
This is marvelous. I feel as though I am just one more anonymous stranger amongst many other strangers. A drop in a very large ocean.
No one looked at her or registered her presence at all. They hurried along, intent on their own business. Emma found the feeling liberating. She was somehow alone and private while walking in a crowd in public.
The sun was shining and the sky was clear. For a while, she resolved to forget about marriage and about whatever troubles Charles had gotten himself into now. There would be time enough to deal with all of that.
For now, Emma simply wanted to lose herself.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Damien strode through the front door, removing his top hat and coat, and holding them out for a servant to take.
“Eastwick! Are you about?” he called irritably.
The head of his family of house guests appeared from the direction of the billiard room.
“Your Grace, I trust your business with your solicitor went well?”
“It did. But I received word from a disgruntledMadame Rousseauthat she has not been able to measure Lady Emma for the gowns I have commissioned,” Damien said, impatiently, “that every time she makes an appointment to come here and measure, Emma is out. It was three days ago that she should have been measured along with her sisters. Where is she presently?”
“I thought she was here. I have not seen her leave the house.” Duncan turned to the stairwell, “Elsie!Elsie!”
Presently, Emma’s maid appeared. She curtsied to both men as she descended.
“Yes, my lords?”
“Have Emma come down, will you?” Duncan said.
“She has gone out, your lordship,” Elsie replied.
“What do you mean she has gone out?” Damien demanded.
“She went out for a walk, Your Grace,” Elsie added meekly.
She kept her head down but peeked up at the Duke and the Earl of Eastwick with surreptitious but angry glances.
