Page 25 of Never a Bride
“Ah yes,” she replied, “I think I saw you with him at a party a fortnight or so ago.”
He dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Come, allow me to escort you to the gathering. And perhaps you could introduce me to your sister.”
Riding up with Sir Edmund, she politely smiled at all in attendance, then dismounted to stand beside her sister. As grooms led the horses away to pasture, Alex’s friend remained at her side, obviously waiting.
Emmeline touched Blythe’s arm. “Blythe, allow me to present a friend of Sir Alexander. Sir Edmund Blackwell, this is my sister, Lady Blythe.”
Sir Edmund’s courtly bow rivaled that of his friend. Perhaps Alex would be foiled by yet another man dancing attendance on Blythe. When Emmeline glanced at Alex himself, his eyes were narrowed as he studied his friend.
Little benches and stools were scattered about the lawn for the ladies’ ease of sitting with their wide gowns. The men either stood or sprawled on blankets. The first course of their meal, an assortment of fine white breads, was served on little plates, and wine liberally refilled in every goblet. Emmeline sat on a bench beside her sister, who seemed wide-eyed with excitement as she ate.
Blythe delicately nibbled a pastry and leaned nearer to Emmeline. “What do you think of Alex’s friend?”
“Dearest, we’ve only just met.”
“Sir Edmund is very different to look at, is he not? Rather like an old-fashioned knight in my favorite stories. Where do you think he’s from?”
Emmeline could only shrug, and allow her gaze to linger on Alex and his friend, who conversed in low tones a little apart from everyone else, polite smiles on their faces.
~oOo~
Alex’s jaw hurt from gritting his teeth. “You know you were not invited here, Edmund.”
Edmund laughed softly. “Neither were the lovely Prescott sisters, but that didn’t stop you from bringing them. I’m sure Lady Morley thinks I’m just the next assault in your rudeness campaign.”
“Why did you come? I have not seen you much these last days, and when I have, you’ve seemed preoccupied.”
“Then I guess you have not noticed Elizabeth,” Edmund replied, and his voice lost some of its gaiety.
Alex glanced at the circle of young ladies and finally saw Lady Elizabeth Langston. She looked their way briefly, and pointedly turned her back.
“Are you in danger of losing this wager?” Alex asked, allowing only a hint of triumph in his voice.
“Not at all,” Edmund said.
Alex could tell he had to force a smile.
“Besides accompanying Elizabeth, I could not resist checking on your progress. I see you’ve not managed to shake the spinster sister.”
“Do not call her that,” Alex said without thinking.
“Call her what?” Edmund asked, looking far too amused and speculative. “A spinster? Is that not what she is?”
Alex’s hesitation was brief as he struggled for the right tone. “She might hear you and be offended. That will hardly do my quest good.”
“I think the point is not to do your quest any good at all, my dear fellow. Enjoy the afternoon.”
Edmund strolled away, but not toward Lady Elizabeth. Still curious, Alex watched him go.
~oOo~
Just when Emmeline thought she could not eat another bite of such delicious fare, Lady Morley asked the musicians playing beneath the nearby trees to begin a galliard. With glad cries, the young people abandoned their elders and became swept up in the lively dance. Alex appeared before them and reached for Blythe’s hand, winking at Emmeline as he took her sister away.
Emmeline grudgingly admitted they were a handsome pair. It seemed almost decadent to be dancing so openly under the sun. Her toes tapped in the grass, and her head nodded to the lively music. Once again, she noticed what a fine dancer Alex was, how his lean, muscular body moved with grace. He partnered Blythe well, and it was easy to forget he only amused himself for the moment.
When the dance ended, people called for more, and suddenly Emmeline found her own hand grasped in a much larger, warmer one. She looked up to see Alex leaning over her, his face in shadow due to the blinding sun above him. He filled every part of her vision; her breath seemed to catch in her throat.
“Now, didn’t I promise you this would be a glorious day?” he asked, and tugged on her hand.
