Page 48 of Never a Bride
“I would—and I can. Just watch me.”
“Ever one for a challenge, aren’t you?”
“Makes a dull life interesting.”
Her regard intensified. “Your life is so dull, then? Perhaps parties do not satisfy you, after all.”
He leaned down toward her, inhaling the sweet scent of her, enjoying the way her breath caught in a soft gasp. “The parties are only a preliminary, love. It’s what comes later, in the dark of the night, that makes it all worthwhile. I have offered to be your guide in such pleasures.”
For a brief moment, he savored the memory of a firelit night in this parlor, when he held her tightly to him. He knew she felt it, too, this awareness, this need.
He thought for certain she would blush to her toes and leave him, but Emmeline was obviously made of sterner stuff. She lifted her chin and eyed him with a cool superiority.
“’Tis a shame that only in darkness do you feel at ease. Why is that? What is wrong with showing the world the real Alex Thornton?”
“You think I hide myself?”
“Doyou?”
He touched her chin. “You’ll just have to find out, Em. Now, off I go to amuse your guests.”
He was true to his word. Within minutes, he was taking all the ladies—and Maxwell—out for a walk in the parks of her father’s estate. Emmeline sat before the fire with her book, enjoying the solitude. Only when she noticed how dark it was getting did she realize Alex must have made sure they all left without returning to the house.
She was grateful.
~oOo~
Though Emmeline and Blythe planned to attend festivities at Whitehall at the end of next week, Emmeline wanted to bring Blythe and Maxwell together again sooner. She just had to find a way that did not seem obvious.
Alex presented her with an opportunity when he invited her and Blythe to attend a country fair with him at the nearby village of Islington on Saturday.
In Emmeline’s bedchamber that night, Blythe held up his letter. “Oh, do say we can go, Emmy! Father will be away, and the last fair we attended was in Kent, ages ago!”
Emmeline deliberately hesitated, then hoped God forgave her the lie she uttered. “Dearest, I already invited Lord Willoughby to dinner that afternoon.”
“He may join us! I’m sure Alex won’t mind.”
Emmeline did not particularly care if Alex minded; she felt no guilt at all for changing the guest list of his little outing.
She pulled her dressing gown even tighter and decided to ask the question that had been haunting her. “Dearest, has Sir Alexander tried to kiss you again?”
“Not at all.”
Emmeline let out the breath she’d been holding. “Does this bother you?”
“Not really,” she said, and shot her a saucy grin even as she dabbed Emmeline’s perfume at her wrist. “In fact, I’m looking forward to kissing Lord Seabrook, just to see the difference.”
Emmeline almost gaped at her, unable to voice a sisterly warning. She couldn’t imagine even caring about another man’s kiss after having experienced Alex’s. And the fact that Blythe seemed unaffected lightened her heart.
~oOo~
Saturday morn, Emmeline dressed with special care. Around her waist she wore a rolled hip pad, which flared her skirts wide, but would be comfortable when she was riding. She chose a sky-blue linen gown that she’d embroidered herself with vines and flowers rather than jewels. She rejoiced in the newness of springtime and had a sense of anticipation that she didn’t understand but didn’t question, either.
When the maid was finished dressing her hair and perched a small brimmed hat on top, Emmeline felt ready for adventure, for fun. She and Blythe had their mares brought around from the stables, while they waited on marble benches under the bright sun.
Blythe regarded her thoughtfully for a moment, wearing a fond smile. “Emmy, you look very lovely today.”
“So do you, dearest,” she replied, squeezing her sister’s hand.
