Page 56 of His Scandal
She shrugged out from under his arm, and Alex realized they’d attracted attention, two well-dressed members of the nobility entwined in public.
They’d attracted Clifford Roswald’s attention, too.
Alex looked down at Emmeline, who was straightening her gown and pulling her cloak about her to hide her magnificent curves. She was trembling.
Hellfire.
“Forgive me, Em, but your old suitor has noticed us.”
She couldn’t have stiffened any faster if she’d been whipped.
“Alex, this is all your fault!” she hissed.
“Perhaps, but maybe this is a good thing. Youneed to see him again after all these years, and I’m frankly curious.”
Roswald laid the sleeping child on a blanket, said something to his wife, and began to walk toward them.
“Alex!” Emmeline whispered frantically. “Go away!”
“No. Put your hand in mine, so we look like lovers.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Do you think that would actually make me feel better, to pretend there was someone in my life?”
“Em—”
“Be quiet, and don’t speak unless I ask you a question.”
He was hardly going to follow her orders, but he saw no reason to antagonize her sooner than he had to.
Clifford Roswald stopped before them, wearing a hesitant smile. “Lady Emmeline, ’tis good to see you.”
Alex watched the smile that transformed her face into obvious fondness, without a sign of the tension or sorrow she held inside.
“Clifford, what a surprise! Do you live here now?”
He nodded. “My farm is not far outside the village. My wife and I are expecting our fourth,” he said proudly.
Clod, Alex thought.
“Congratulations,” Emmeline said.
Roswald hesitated, then glanced at Alex. “Are you married now, my lady?”
Emmeline looked wide-eyed at Alex and shook her head. “No! This is Sir Alexander Thornton.”
Alex wasn’t sure what made him do it, but he took her hand and leaned closer to Roswald. “I’m sure we can trust your old friend, my love. Mr. Roswald, ’tis a secret, but we do hope to make our attachment…permanent.”
Emmeline stared at Alex. What in God’s name was he thinking?
“Now, love, don’t look at me like that. I know I promised to say nothing, but you’ve told me how trustworthy Mr. Roswald is.” He squeezed her hand tighter as he turned to Clifford. “Please don’t say anything to Blythe. She’s rather…talkative, and our news would be all about London before we had the chance to tell it. You understand.”
News?she thought wildly. She couldn’t believe Alex would be so cruel as to imply to Clifford that she had replaced him so easily.
But Clifford gave her an enormous smile, almost as if he were…relieved.
“Lady Emmeline, I am so happy for you!”
She stared at him, feeling confused.
