Page 46 of Never a Bride
“I didn’t mean—”
“No, no, please, I understand. Your brothers have long been gone from London, haven’t they?”
He touched a sore point with her. “It’s been a year since we’ve seen them.”
“Then by all means, summon them. You don’t need me as an excuse. But you might not want to mention my name to your eldest brother.”
“John?”
“That’s the one.”
Emmeline narrowed her eyes. “Do you know my brothers?”
“Oh yes, all three. Studied with them, even. But I was forced to play a joke upon John, and I fear he has yet to forgive me.”
“A joke?” Whatever sort of joke couldanyonepull on John? He prided himself on knowing the character of every man he dealt with, and would not tolerate fools.
But then, Alex was hardly a fool, and she wondered why he liked to pretend so. As they stared at one another, she vaguely heard a raised voice.
“I do believe you’re…wanted, Lady Emmeline,” he murmured, his thumbs rubbing circles on the backs of her hands.
His gaze dropped to her lips, and a shock traveled through her.
Chapter 14
Alex knew people might be watching them, and didn’t care—but Emmeline would. Though he could easily lose himself in her blue-green eyes, he released her and looked toward the front hall.
Edmund stood there, watching from beneath raised eyebrows. Alex frowned at him.
The servant stood hesitantly beside Edmund. “Lady Emmeline? Sir Edmund Blackwell comes to visit.”
Alex watched her walk away from him, and he knew a puzzling need to pull her back, to keep her at his side.
“Sir Edmund,” Emmeline said. “How good of you to see to Blythe’s welfare.”
“My lady, your sister is such a gentle soul. It grieves me to know that she suffers.”
She led him toward her other guests. “Grieve no more, Sir Edmund, for Blythe is recovering quite well. Come, allow me to introduce you to her friends.”
Afterward, when Edmund finally glanced his way, Alex motioned him over with a nod, and he brought a goblet with him.
“Fine wine,” Edmund said. “Willoughby made it, you know.”
Alex only shrugged, finding he didn’t wish to taste the stuff. He knew Willoughby’s game. He watched Emmeline lean over to speak to the man, who laughed as he answered.
Something curled tighter inside him with a tinge of unfamiliar pain, and he needed to ignore it. “So what are you doing here, Blackwell?”
“Blackwell, is it?” Edmund’s amusement was palpable. “From that dark look on your face, I’d say you need me.”
“I don’t need you except for your good company at the bar.”
“Then Lady Emmeline needs me.”
“What?” Alex rounded on him.
Edmund laughed. “I like her. I want to make sure you treat her well in this quest for her sister’s kiss. But then maybe she’s suitably preoccupied with someone else.”
He raised his glass in toast toward Willoughby, and Alex felt the need to hit someone. “He’s pursuing Lady Blythe.”
