Page 16 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
Lord Torrington took a bit of pie and seemed to be enjoying the ensuing debate, but not eager to add anything else to it. Harcourt rubbed his temples. “It was just a bit forward, Emmeline. Do you need lessons on such things?”
“Of course not,” Emmeline said with a sigh. “I would not say such as that outside of this room, but we are all acquaintances here, and I do not see the harm.”
Lord Torrington nodded, but Harcourt glared at him. “Let us just eat, shall we?” Harcourt looked down the table at Emmeline, who nodded meekly.
***
Over the next week, Emmeline did her best to be on her best behaviour, especially when Harcourt or Francesca was around. It was tiring, but she had to make sure that neither of them had any reason to think that she was not going to do as Harcourt wanted. If her brother thought she might sabotage her season, he might very well simply accept the first marriage offer that he was met with no matter who it was from.
The thought that she might end up married off to the first person to bat their eyes at her made Emmeline physically ill. There were only a couple of weeks before the season started, and she was so close to making it to at least the first ball. All she had to do was demonstrate that she could actually make a good showing.
Emmeline was so lost in thought that she ran directly into Lord Torrington as he came around a corner just down the hall from Harcourt’s study. She let out a little yelp as they collided.
“Are you well?” Lord Torrington braced her with his hand on her arm. “I did not expect to find you behind that corner.”
The deep rumble of his laughter made her laugh at herself as well. “Nor did I expect you there,” Emmeline countered. “I was merely on my way to the kitchen.”
“My deepest apologies,” Lord Torrington said, letting go of her arm. “Now that we are sure we are both unharmed, I had better get back to my office.”
Emmeline nodded and stepped aside to allow him to go by her. “Have a good afternoon, Your Grace.”
“And you, Lady Callum.” He gave her a bow before he was off toward the front door of the house.
Emmeline had gone only a little way down the hallway when Harcourt came out of his study. “Emme,” Harcourt said as his eyes fell upon her. “I had a letter today from a Sir Mitchell, who wishes to court you. Mind you, he’s a merchant so it would be a poor match for you. Still, he is quite adamant.”
“I do not even know him,” Emmeline said with a frown. “I do not really wish to marry someone I do not even know, Harcourt.”
“Of course not,” he said, waving off her concern. “Courting helps people get to know each other, Emme.”
Emmeline felt dread well up inside her. Was this it? She was not even going to get to go to her first ball. “You said it is not a good match. Should you not wait and see if I make a good showing?”
Harcourt nodded. “I shall,” he agreed. “I merely wanted you to know. Most girls are excited to get their first courtship offer.”
“Most girls are not worried about being sold off to the first bidder,” Emmeline said to her brother. “I am sorry,” she immediately added. “I am just nervous. I have worked so hard with Francesca to get ready for my first ball. I am looking forward to it.”
Harcourt seemed to soften. “I imagine most young ladies are nervous about their first ball. But you will do well.”
And if she did not do well, then she had an offer from a merchant, Emmeline mused to herself. She put on a smile and nodded. “If you will excuse me, Brother, I was on my way to get some tea and a bite to eat.”
Harcourt nodded and continued on down the hall. Emmeline looked after him for a moment. She wondered what would happen if he got an offer from someone who was of the right status to be a good match. Would Emmeline even get to meet him before Harcourt had her courting?
She was far more subdued. When she reached the kitchen she found Francesca and one of the other maids sitting at the table. They both looked up at her as she came into the room. The younger maid, who Emmeline was only vaguely familiar with, took off as though she had been caught doing some great wrong.
Emmeline frowned. “Did I scare her?”
“She scares easily,” Francesca said with a laugh. “Come and sit. You look as if something is wrong.”
Emmeline dropped down heavily onto the stool that Francesca waved to. “What is the matter?”
“I saw my brother, and he told me I had an offer of courtship,” Emmeline said with disgust.
Francesca pursed her lips. “What is wrong with that?”
“It was from a merchant I have never even heard of.” Emmeline shook her head.
Francesca patted Emmeline’s shoulder. “Breathe. Men do that sometimes, especially if they are not hopeful of finding a good match during the season. They try to circumvent the system and weasel in. Your brother is a smart man. If it is a bad match, he will shoo them away.”
“I just wish he had not even told me of it.” Emmeline shivered, hoping to shed the memory.
