Page 32 of It's In The Duke's Kiss
Nine
“Emmaline, you will keep the Duke of Blackbourne at a distance today.”
Emma’s breath caught and her heart constricted as she set her brush on her vanity and turned to look at her mother, who’d barged into the room and simply blurted her announcement. “But, Mother…” What could she say? Emma wiggled in her chair, searching for the right words, but there were none.
Lucian kissed me?She wrinkled her nose. No. Her mother would either flay her for ruining her plans for Mary or she’d try to force Lucian’s hand. Neither outcome was desirable.
I think I like Lucian, and I think he’s developing a tendre for me?Her mother would finally send her to America if Emma uttered that sentence.
No. She needed to be sure of herself and Lucian before she stirred trouble with her mother.
Mother tsked and plunked her hands on her hips. “I’m sure you have grand ideas of becoming a duchess—”
“Not at all,” Emma replied. She liked Lucian for himself, not his title.
“Nonsense. All ladies wish for the highest title, but His Grace is your sister’s by right.”
Mary walked into the room just at that moment. “I truly don’t think His Grace and I are suited, Mother. I don’t feel anything special when I’m around him.”
Their mother turned red in the face and scowled first at Mary, then at Emma. “You need not feel anything. It will develop. You must marry His Grace, and if Emmaline does nothing to muck things up, perhaps she will keep Lord Nathaniel’s attention. He made several comments yesterday about coming to call on you, Emmaline. Now, you will do as I say today or there will be the devil to pay for youandfor your sister. Understand?” Mother gave them both a narrow-eyed warning look.
Emma and Mary exchanged a quick glance but dutifully nodded.
“Come along, then, girls. We’re off to the Duke of Danby’s scavenger hunt. Emma, if they try to pair you with the Duke of Blackbourne, simply request his brother. Do you understand?”
With throbbing temples, Emma nodded as she slowly followed her mother down the stairs. Perhaps Lucian would insist on her as a partner? She hastened her pace with her new hope.
“Now,” the duchess said, sweeping her gaze over the small gathered party of guests assembled in the Duke of Danby’s garden, “Blackbourne, you’ll be partnered with Lady Emmaline, and—”
“No,” Lucian interjected, wanting to spare himself and Emma from being thrust together alone. He’d be too tempted to kiss her, and now that he knew very well she would rather Nathaniel be the one kissing her, Lucian refused to play the fool. He forced himself to focus on her sister as he spoke. “I’ll partner with Lady Mary, if you’ll allow me?”
Her eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded. Lady Albersey beamed at him, and he belatedly realized the woman, or perhaps Lady Mary herself, would take this as a definite sign of his interest in the lady. He’d have to be careful not to mislead her further.
As his mother harrumphed and made all sorts of noises to convey her annoyance, Lucian’s gaze drew to Emma like a stupid moth to the flame that would scorch it. And as he devoured Emma with his eyes, he did suddenly feel as if his body were burning. She looked incredibly fetching in an emerald-and-white striped gown. It molded to her curves just enough that he could imagine running his hands over her body to explore the creamy planes. With her hair swept up to expose her neck, his lips tingled with the memory of the way she tasted. Did her neck taste as sweet as her mouth? He shifted uncomfortably with desire.
When his gaze met hers, his breath left him in a whoosh. Was that disappointment he read in her eyes? No, it couldn’t be. She yearned for Nathaniel, not him. He was simply reading what he hoped to see there.
She suddenly jerked her gaze from his as his mother mentioned her name. “Lady Emmaline, you and the Marquess of Salisbury can be partners.”
Lucian narrowed his gaze on Salisbury, who had turned his openly lustful gaze to Emma.
“I don’t think that’s the best pairing,” Lucian blurted, ignoring the tug of pity he felt for Salisbury. The best part of Salisbury, the part his deceased wife seemed to have temporarily brought out when they’d married, seemed to have perished with her and their unborn child. Word at the clubs was that the marquess was more of a reprobate than he’d ever been.
Salisbury moved his hooded gaze to Lucian and then to Nick, who was Salisbury’s closest friend. Nick glared at Lucian. “Why the devil not?” Nick demanded.
Lucian saw Nick’s wife elbow him, but his cousin ignored her.
“Yes, Blackbourne, what is your objection to my teaming up with the enchanting Lady Emmaline?” Salisbury echoed.
“I think we’ll make an excellent pair,” Emma piped up.
Lucian clenched his jaw as he swept his gaze over the group. His mother looked utterly amused, as did his great-uncle. He forced himself not to look at Emma or her family, but at Salisbury. Lucian needed to convey a subtle warning to the man. “I know what a voracious appetite you have.”
Salisbury grinned wolfishly. “For?”
With a hard yank on his cravat, Lucian imagined pummeling the man. “For winning, of course. Lady Emmaline is a gentle creature. Alady. Just be certain you takegreatcare.” He held the man’s gaze while further narrowing his own.
“You may be certain I’ll be gentle as I hunt for the prize.”
