Page 63 of A Duke to Steal Her
Emily turned slowly. Across the garden, Ambrose stood beneath a flowering chestnut, one hand tucked behind his back, the other swirling wine in his glass. His green eyes were fixed on her. He wasn’t smiling. He didn’t need to.
Heat prickled along her spine.
Juliana leaned in. “Tell us, truly. Are you happy?”
Emily lowered her gaze, watching the bubbles rise and burst in her glass. “I’m… learning.”
“You sound like Georgina trying to convince Mama she enjoys her French lessons,” Ava said. “Which we all know she does not.”
Emily laughed softly.
Then Vincent approached, silent as ever. He didn’t say a word at first—just reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips. Juliana blushed, laughing softly.
“You do realize we’re in company,” she murmured.
“Of course,” Vincent said. “That’s what makes it fun.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“And yet, you keep marrying me every morning.”
Juliana swatted at him with her fan. Vincent caught it deftly, then leaned down to whisper something in her ear. Whatever it was, it made her laugh again and lean slightly toward his side.
Soon enough, Oliver approached too, and held Ava’s parasol, twirling it idly between his fingers while she scolded him.
“You’ll break it, you overgrown child.”
“I’m merely admiring it,” he said, catching her around the waist and spinning her in a lazy circle. “Besides, I’ve broken far more delicate things and been forgiven.”
Ava rolled her eyes, but she let him hold her close. His hand lingered low on her waist, thumb brushing slow, lazy circles against the curve of her hip.
“I am beginning to think you only married me for my parasols.”
“No,” Oliver said, bending to kiss the corner of her mouth, “but they were an excellent bonus.”
Emily smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Juliana turned to her, perceptive as ever. “You’re quiet.”
“Just… thinking.”
“About?” Ava prompted, coming over with her cheeks flushed and her smile wide.
Emily hesitated. “You both look so—” she broke off. “Settled. Comfortable.”
Juliana tilted her head. “Is that a bad thing?”
“No,” Emily said quickly. “It’s just… I watch you with your husbands, and it’s obvious. The affection. The desire. The closeness. There’s no question between you.”
“There were,” Ava said softly. “At the beginning. But we asked the questions anyway.”
“And made quite a mess of things before getting it right,” Juliana added.
Vincent, still nearby, said without looking up, “You deserve that too, Emily. And if he doesn’t offer that… You can tell me.”
Emily gave him a small smile. Ever since his marriage to Juliana, he’d acted as a big brother to all her sisters.
“I may not be extremely fond of him either,” Oliver chimed in, “but… You know, sometimes the best seductions come after the wedding.”
