Page 99 of Never a Bride
But it was only Alex that concerned her. She was forcing him into something he had not said he wanted—and she could only pray she was doing the right thing.
~oOo~
By dawn, Emmeline’s doubts had escalated into full-blown fears. What if Alex refused to marry her?
She just wished that Blythe were home to discuss it. Emmeline had returned from her “adventure” with the Langstons yesterday, only to find a note from her sister that she’d gone to their country home to visit a friend who needed her.
So Emmeline rode in the coach beside her father to Thornton Manor, while the sun was still low in the sky. He didn’t speak to her, and she had nothing to say to him.
Once at the manor, her father pounded on the door until a wide-eyed maidservant opened it.
“I am the Marquess of Kent, and I demand an audience with the viscount!”
Emmeline wanted to groan. As the maidservant scurried away, she whispered, “Father, can’t we just quietly talk to Alex? There is no need for his whole family to know like this.”
“Are you protecting that scoundrel even now?” he demanded.
Another voice said, “That scoundrel is my brother.”
Spencer Thornton descended the wide marble staircase, with his mother at his side. Lady Thornton smiled encouragingly at Emmeline, who could only hope the lady would forgive her.
Her father nodded in Spencer’s direction. “Lord Thornton, we have much to discuss about the disgraceful conduct of your brother.”
“Then perhaps he should be here to answer your charges. Mother?” he asked, turning aside.
Lady Thornton nodded. “I have already sent for him.”
“Still abed, I see,” said the marquess with a sneer in his voice.
Can this get any worse?Emmeline thought as they all left the hall.
Alex came down the stairs, shrugging into his doublet, wondering what the hell was going on. Emmeline and her father were both here? He picked up his pace, glad that seeing her face would be the start of his day. He followed the group as they all entered the withdrawing room, and heard his mother call for wine and cakes.
“Someone wanted me?” he said, watching in surprise as everyone turned to face him.
On seeing Emmeline, he felt a peacefulness settle over him. What would it be like to see her every morning?
But his mother and brother looked serious, Emmeline’s eyes were pleading, and her father dark as a thundercloud.
“Alexander Thornton,” the marquess said, giving him a cold, dismissive stare. “You have abused the trust shown to you by my family.”
“I have?” he asked, lifting a brow as he turned to stare at Emmeline.
“Alex—” she began, but her father motioned her to silence.
“I wish I could have you horsewhipped, instead of giving you the privilege of marrying Emmeline.”
Stunned, Alex repeated, “Marrying Emmeline?”
“Do not dare to try to squirm your way out of it!”
“May I ask what brought this about?” he said mildly.
“As if you didn’t know!” the marquess said with disgust in his voice. “You have seduced my daughter, and even now she could be with child.”
Alex heard his mother gasp, but he himself could only stare at Emmeline in amazement. She gave him a wide-eyed shake of her head, then covered her face with her hands for a moment.
“Father,” she said in a tremulous voice, “I asked you to allow me to deal with this.”
