Page 80 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke
“But somewhat ineffectual and lacking in stature,” Damien added matter-of-factly. Upon being met by a pair of glares, he continued, “I am sorry if you do not agree but I speak as I find. Many men his age are similar. With experience of the world, perhaps that will change. I would not entrust a precious jewel such as Josephine to a man unless I were certain that such a change had taken effect.”
Josie blushed at the compliment, and Emma could not help but smile at Damien for the praise. She reminded herself that for all his stiff outward appearance and plain-speaking manner, he was also kind and gentle.
“We will look out for opportunities for Sir Thomas to prove himself then, do not worry,” Emma whispered to her sister.
“I hope one presents itself soon. Papa is still considering suitors for me. I do not want any of them,” Josie looked around and lowered her voice, “I would elope before being forced into a marriage!” she whispered fiercely.
Damien had turned around and showed no signs of having heard. Charles had engaged him in conversation with much enthusiasm, to which Damien was replying stiffly as was his habit with those he did not know well.
“Do not say such things too loudly,” Emma chided in a hushed voice. “It would be a great scandal if you did, or even if word got out that you had thought of it.”
They had reached the pavilion's entrance, and Damien had stopped, awaiting his wife so that they could be announced together. Charles stood ready to escort Rosie. Duncan Montrose appeared in conversation with a tall man with fiery red hair and a bold, Roman nose. He looked to be of age with Damien and conducted his conversation with a raised chin as though looking down on all those around him. Emma took Damien's arm as the two men approached, a sinking feeling growing in her stomach.
“Your Grace, a fine day for racing, eh?” Duncan greeted.
“A fine day indeed, Eastwick. Should you be out of bed so soon though? I must say, you seem very pale,” Damien noted.
“Nonsense!” Duncan replied, suppressing a cough that shook him, “Summer head cold. Easily passed. It is waning. May I introduce His Lordship, the Earl of Thanet?”
Duncan made introductions and then turned his new friend towards Josie who swallowed as she was introduced.
“His Lordship has asked for the pleasure of escorting you into the Regent's Pavilion,” he declared. “His wife tragically passed away some years ago.”
Emma winced at her father's crassness but winced harder as he suppressed another wracking cough with a fist. The illness had come on Duncan the evening after the visit to Montrose Hall and, in her eyes, had grown worse each day. Duncan insisted the opposite.
“That is most gracious of His Lordship, but I am feeling rather unwell. I do apologize.Emma, do you think you might help me to find a quiet place to rest?”
Her eyes implored her sister to help and Emma could not resist. She stepped to Josie's side.
“But the Regent—“ Damien started.
“I have met the Regent and Josie's health must come first. I am sure he will understand,” Emma said, firmly.
She saw Damien's face darken. Then he sighed and nodded.
“Very well. I will assure him that he will see you during the course of the afternoon. It is expected.”
Emma went to him in a rush and placed a kiss on his cheek. The need to linger with her lips against his skin was great. The thrill that coursed through her at the proximity of his body made her want to close her eyes, to savor the pleasure.
His fingers found hers and twined in them briefly, bringing an agony of temptation to Emma. It demanded her presence and her closeness which both knew they could not have. Not here in so public a place. The idea of what might have happened had they lived in a more decadent and debauched time, such as the Roman Empire, sparked lurid images in Emma's mind.
She blushed even more hotly and Damien raised an eyebrow.
“I will ask you later what thoughts went through your mind just then,” he whispered, “and I think I will enjoy hearing the answer.”
It took willpower for her to tear herself away from her husband and return to her sister's side. Taking Josie's arm solicitously, she began to escort her back through the assembled guests in search of a respite.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Damien watched Emma depart with regret.
His body regretted it deeply while his mind told him that the issue was purely what the Regent would think when the Duchess of Redmane did not appear with her husband.
Duncan Montrose glowered at his headstrong daughter and then turned to Thanet with bluster, claiming that Josie must have caught the same cold that had laid him up.
Damien led the family into the Regent's Pavilion, pausing to allow himself to be introduced and then stepping inside. The interior was decorated elaborately with gold and precious stones set into everything from the hair of the ladies in attendance to the branches of the oak tree that the pavilion had been built around. Its mighty branches were hung with lanterns and glittering streamers of gold and silver thread that wafted in the breeze and twinkled in the light.
“Redmane! Old chap, welcome!” the Regent exclaimed upon hearing the introduction.
