Page 40 of A Duke to Steal Her
His new fiancée.The words stung Emily’s sensibilities.
Sheshouldfeel nothing but relief. She should be delighted that Peirce had found someone else, that her escape from their ill-fated engagement had led him to what was clearly a more advantageous match.
Instead, she felt exposed, vulnerable, like a deer caught in an open field with nowhere to hide.
“Emily, darling!”
She turned to find Miss Carlisle approaching with two other ladies in tow—Miss Worthington and Miss Primblebury. Their smiles were bright as cut glass.
“How absolutely marvelous you look this evening,” Miss Carlisle continued, her voice carrying just far enough for nearby guests to overhear. “Such a relief to see you back in society after your unfortunate illness.”
“Thank you,” Emily replied carefully, her ingrained politeness masking her growing unease. “You’re very kind.”
“Oh, we’re simply delighted you’ve recovered,” Miss Worthington chimed in, her eyes glittering with malicious curiosity. “But when I heard Lord Peirce had found consolation so quickly, I wondered how you might be feeling.”
Emily’s spine stiffened. “I’m sure I don’t take your meaning.”
“Well,” Miss Primblebury leaned closer, lowering her voice to a stage whisper, “it must be rather awkward, mustn’t it? Being in the same room as your former fiancé and his new betrothed? Especially when the circumstances of your… departure were so very mysterious.”
“There was nothing mysterious about it,” Emily said quietly, her hands clenching around her fan. “I was ill. These things happen.”
Miss Carlisle’s laugh was like breaking crystal. “Oh, of course! How silly of us to suggest otherwise. Though one does wonder about the timing. To fall ill just before the wedding day…” She shook her head with mock sympathy. “How very convenient.”
The words hit their mark with surgical precision. Emily felt heat flood her cheeks as several nearby guests turned to listen more openly to their conversation.
“I hardly think my health is a matter for public discussion,” Emily said, fighting to keep her voice steady.
“Naturally not,” Miss Worthington agreed with false sweetness. “Though I must say, Lord Peirce seems to have recovered from his disappointment quite admirably. The widow Portwich is such a catch—all that lovely money, and none of the complications that sometimes accompany younger brides.”
Emily’s vision blurred at the edges. She could feel the weight of dozens of stares, could hear the whispered speculations spreading through the ballroom like wildfire.
“I think,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “that Lord Peirce’s happiness is?—”
“What Lord Peirce’s happiness is,” came a crisp, authoritative voice, “is absolutely none of your concern.”
Emily nearly sobbed with relief as Juliana appeared beside her, flashing an icy stare that caused the group of young ladies to take an instinctive step backward.
“Your Grace,” Miss Carlisle’s voice had lost much of its venom. “We were merely?—”
“You were merely gossiping like fishwives at market,” Juliana cut her off neatly. “How utterly charming. I’m sure your mothers would be so proud to see such accomplished young ladies conducting themselves with all the grace of tavern wenches.”
Miss Worthington gasped. “Your Grace, surely?—”
“Surely, you have somewhere else to be.” Juliana sniffed prissily. “Perhaps you might locate your chaperones and remind them of their duties? I fear they’ve been woefully neglectful this evening.”
The dismissal was absolute. One by one, the young ladies curtseyed and melted away, their faces burning with embarrassment. But the damage was done. Emily could feel the collective gaze of the ballroom upon her and hear the renewed whispers that followed in their wake.
“My dear,” Juliana murmured, her voice softening as she took Emily’s arm. “Are you quite all right?”
Emily forced herself to nod, though her hands were trembling. “I’m fine. Just… perhaps I might step outside for a moment? The air seems rather close in here.”
Juliana’s eyes swept the ballroom, taking in the avid faces and whispered conversations. Her expression hardened. “Of course. The terrace doors are just there. Let me come with you.”
Emily shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ll be only a moment.”
Emily made her way through the crowd with as much dignity as she could muster, her head held high despite the curious stares that followed her every step.
She could feel Peirce’s gaze burning into her back, could sense his satisfaction at her obvious discomfort.
