Page 37 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
“I do not know if that is true,” a young lady that Emmeline was only vaguely familiar with said. “I heard that the sun is dreadful for the skin and can dry you out like a piece of leather.”
The older lady who was clearly serving as a guardian to the young lady who had spoken, chided, “Oh, Darla. You must stop believing everything that silly maid of yours says.”
“If you are truly concerned for your face, you should try rinsing it in some rose water, perhaps?” It was Francesca who had offered the advice.
Darla’s face lit up. “I have heard of a lotion that uses that. It was in the newspaper. Do you remember, Aunt Myrtle?”
“I recall the advert, yes,” Aunt Myrtle said in exasperation. “She will be driving her mother crazy for that now. I am sure.”
Francesca smiled. “I cannot say much of the lotion she speaks of, but I do know that rose water has some lovely qualities. I use it myself.”
“And she has lovely skin. You really do, Miss Durant,” Lady Grayson said, and the other ladies chimed in behind her, including Emmeline.
Emmeline looked at the other woman who was seated at the table. Lady Tillman was a brown-haired beauty and the quintessential English girl, if Emmeline had ever seen one. “Lady Tillman, did you not say that you have a brother?”
“Why yes,” Lady Tillman said with a smile. “Poor thing is not happy that he has to set foot out in the world, but Father is insistent that he shall get a bride soon.”
Lady Grayson clicked her tongue. “Men worry over such things. At least if they fail to find a match they will not be destitute.”
“It is unfair, is it not?” Emmeline picked up her teacup and took a sip. The ginger flavour was new for her, and it took some getting used to.
Lady Tillman nodded. “I shall have to agree there. What is a lady to do?”
“Countess Marson has done just fine without a husband,” Darla chirped, before her aunt gave her a scolding look.
Lady Grayson flipped her hand and shrugged. “It does happen, but they are the exception and not the rule.” She turned her gaze down the table to Lady Tillman. “You could always be a governess or a lady’s companion?”
The look on Lady Tillman’s face told Emmeline all she needed to know about how the woman felt about those options. “I do not feel that I am capable of governing anyone, let alone children.”
“I have no great knowledge of children myself, but I have enjoyed my time as a companion to Lady Callum. It would be wise not to rule it out, even if it is not what you wish at the moment.” Francesca gave the woman a gentle smile.
Lady Tillman sighed. “I shall think on it. Lord knows I have not found any eligible men this season yet.”
“The season has only just begun,” Lady Grayson reminded her.
The talk grew more of fashion, and Emmeline found herself losing interest. She had far fewer opinions on the fullness of skirts or the dip of necklines. Francesca seemed quite at home with the conversation, which took the pressure off Emmeline to come up with something witty to say.
After everyone had eaten, the ladies began to take their leave. Lady Grayson stopped Emmeline and said quietly, “I was going to introduce you to some young gentlemen at the last ball, but I fear that I missed you somehow. Were you taken ill?”
Emmeline knew that the woman was referring to the ball where she and her brother had left hastily after Harcourt had discovered the duke and herself. Emmeline tried not to blush. “I felt a little faint. I fear my corset was too snug and we had to go to home cut it loose.”
“Oh dear,” Lady Grayson said with a frown. “I have had trouble with that myself. The thing becomes impossible to remove without a good measure of help. But hopefully, you will avoid that fate for the rest of the season.”
Emmeline nodded. “I do believe I have learnt my lesson.”
When they finally made their way out of the estate, Francesca whispered, “I had not realised that I had pulled your corset so tight.”
“You had not,” Emmeline assured the woman. “I merely had to have something to tell Lady Grayson. You are aware of why I left the ball so early, after all.”
Francesca folded her hands together in front of her, but her face did not look pleased that her skills as a lady’s maid had been called into question to provide an alibi for Emmeline’s dalliance. The Frenchwoman’s expression made Emmeline feel guilty, even though she had meant no harm with her little lie.
As they waited for the carriage to stop, Emmeline thought she should apologise. “Francesca, I am sorry if I caused you grief. I did not mean to.”
“It is fine,” Francesca said with a wave of her hand. “After all, I am not your lady’s maid any longer, and so the reputation of the position should not be my concern.”
After they had returned home, Emmeline went to the study. She was expecting her brother but had found not only him but also Lord Torrington. “Oh,” she said in surprise as she stood in the doorway, wondering if she had interrupted something she should not have.
“Emmeline,” Harcourt said happily. “Come in, dear sister. Nash and I were discussing an outing you might have interest in as well.”
