Page 29 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
Harcourt sighed. “It would make things simpler if you did. You already are a nervous jumble. What if you get to the ball and have a poor showing?”
“Did Francesca tell you that? I am not a jumble of anything. I am fine. Do I not look calm to you?” Emmeline tossed the letter onto his desk. “I know my own mind, Harcourt, and this man is not worthy of me. Do you think that Mother would want you to press me like this to accept a man below my worth?”
The mention of their mother softened Harcourt. Emmeline saw him relent. “You are right. He is not the best. You deserve more. I just worry for you, Emmeline.”
“Then stop listening to Francesca so much. She is nervous because she wants a good showing for her own standing. I will do you both proud. But it would help if I were shown that you believe in me, Brother.” Emmeline clasped her hands in her lap. “Why do you not?”
Harcourt shook his head. “I do believe in you, Sister. I just worry.”
“I am not a child. I do not need your worry.” Emmeline reached her hand out, and Harcourt grasped it in his own hand. “Please, promise that you will give me at least until the first ball.”
He nodded with a sigh. “Of course,” he whispered. “Of course, I will.”
She stood up, and Harcourt released her hand. “I am going to read. Try to relax, Brother.”
Emmeline left Harcourt with his letter. She did not know whether she should be angry at Francesca or tender at her worry. The woman had as much to lose reputation-wise as Emmeline did if she did not make a good showing. After all, Francesca was supposed to be an expert at such things.
“Hello, Miss,” Jasmine’s cheery voice greeted Emmeline as she entered the library.
A smile came to Emmeline’s face as she saw the friendly maid dusting the books in the library. “Jasmine, I am so happy to see you.”
“And I you, Miss,” Jasmine was perched up on the rolling ladder, dusting biographies.
Part of Emmeline wanted to tell Jasmine about everything. But she knew it would be better to keep it quiet. Instead, Emmeline said, “I heard from my lady’s maid today.”
Jasmine looked confused before saying, “Oh, the one you left in Scotland.”
“Yes. Caeley is her name.” Emmeline settled in her favourite chair. “She is doing much better.”
Jasmine nodded and came down to reach the books on the bottom shelf. “I remember you saying she was ill. What was it that she was ill from?”
“She is having a child, and the doctor thinks it is from the pregnancy.” Emmeline shrugged. “She seems to be in fine spirits, although not happy that the doctor has ordered her to rest.”
Jasmine stopped what she was doing and looked around at Emmeline. “Your lady’s maid is with child?”
“Oh, yes.” Emmeline nodded enthusiastically. “She is hoping for a little boy. Her husband is our gardener.”
Jasmine smiled and clasped her hands in front of her chest. “That is so sweet. I know of several women who lost their positions as lady’s maid due to getting married. It was too much of an inconvenience for their mistresses.”
“Nonsense,” Emmeline scoffed. “A child is never an inconvenience, and every woman has the right to marry if she so chooses.” Emmeline smiled and leaned over to whisper, “I just hope that I can find a man as good as Caeley’s Matthew. He is such a dear man, and he loves her so.”
Jasmine sighed happily and came to sit on the floor near Emmeline. “I hope I can find a husband one day who will love me like that too.”
“I am sure you will. I will make it my mission to see to it if I have to.”
The laughter from the maid brought a smile to Emmeline’s face. “You are so oddly wonderful, Miss.”
“I take that as a compliment.” Emmeline picked up her book as Jasmine stood up. The maid patted her skirt to make sure it was straight then set back to her dusting.
They shared a companionable silence after that. Emmeline read her book and Jasmine dusted. When Jasmine finally finished the room, she paused to look at Emmeline. “May I bring you some tea, Miss?”
Emmeline frowned. “Oh. Is it that late already?”
“Yes, Miss.” Jasmine waited expectantly. Emmeline nodded her acceptance of the offer and Jasmine was quickly out of the room.
At the sound of footsteps, Emmeline looked up. She was sure it was not Jasmine, as the woman had scarcely had time to get down the hallway. She looked up as Gerald came to the door. “Yes?”
Gerald bowed. “Lady Grayson is here to see you, Miss.”
