Page 11 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
“Yes, please, Mr. Hardy.” Rebecca arose excitedly, her cheeks flushing with pleasure at the news.
“Very well, Miss.” The butler bowed, his gray head inclining in obedience before he once more disappeared from view.
Rebecca waited with bated breath as mere seconds ticked by before the butler reappeared with Colin Barrington in tow. “Mr. Colin Barrington,” he announced before he bowed once more, then left the room to retrieve more refreshments for their burgeoning number of guests.
“Mr. Barrington.” Emmeline stood, acting as hostess and chaperone in their mother’s absence. “Please do come in and take a seat.” She gestured toward a chair near Rebecca but not so close as to raise eyebrows.
“I thank you for your hospitality, my lady.” Colin Barrington entered the room and bowed in respect. Upon rising, his eyes immediately sought out Rebecca’s, and the couple stood staring at one another for the space of several breaths.
Amused, Louisa and Emmeline exchanged a knowing glance. “May I introduce you to my dear friend, Lady Louisa Beauchamp?” Emmeline broke the silence.
Reluctantly, Colin tore his eyes away from Rebecca long enough to give a proper greeting to Emmeline’s guest, then turned his gaze back to Rebecca. “You look well,” he complimented, as he took the offered seat near the object of his affection.
“As do you,” Rebecca returned the compliment.
In spite of herself, Emmeline smiled at the awkwardness of the situation. Thankfully, Mr. Hardy returned with refreshments, giving them all something to do other than stare at one another. “Will there be anything else, my lady?” Mr. Hardy asked of Emmeline as the senior ranking woman in the room.
Emmeline shook her head. “No, Mr. Hardy. That will be all. Thank you.”
Mr. Hardy bowed, then left the room once more. Emmeline knew that he would be waiting just beyond the door in the event that anyone should need his assistance. As a large man, just the sight of him was usually enough to make most men behave themselves. Having him near always made Emmeline feel more secure.
She did not believe for one moment that Colin Barrington would do anything untoward, as he was Michael’s cousin, but one could never be too certain about such things. Love and desire made even the most stable-minded of persons act with undue haste and ardor.
Emmeline watched as the younger couple chatted amiably with one another in the age-old dance of courtship. Colin smiled softly at something Rebecca had said, his hazel eyes filled with adoration for her every word.
His eyes are so like Michael’s, especially when he smiles.Emmeline sighed. She missed that smile.
All that Michael had shown to her since her arrival was cold disdain and disapproval. Anger flared in her heart. She had done her duty. She had respected her parents’ wishes with dignity and honor.
She had not wished to wed the marquess. Surely Michael was not so blind as to think that she had fallen in love with another after all that they had shared together. Emmeline wrung her hands into fists, clutching the fabric of her dress in a most unladylike fashion.
Louisa laid a gentle hand atop one of Emmeline’s and raised a brow in question. “He looks so much like Michael,” Emmeline breathed so softly that only Louisa could make it out.
Louisa nodded in understanding, giving Emmeline’s hand a reassuring squeeze before releasing it. “Mr. Barrington, do tell us of your family,” Louisa commandeered the conversation.
It was Emmeline’s turn to raise a brow in question. “What are you doing?” she breathed.
“Trust me,” Louisa whispered in reply, then turned her full attention back to Colin.
Colin reluctantly tore his eyes away from Rebecca. “My father is Sir Edward Barrington, the Baronet of Berkshire. My mother is the Lady Felicity Barrington, nee Hroefn, daughter to John Thomas Hroefn, the late Earl of Ravenshollow.”
“Ah, yes. You are a cousin to the present Earl of Ravenshollow, Lord Michael Egerton,” Louisa acted as if she had just learned of the connection.
Colin nodded, his eyes flickering uncertainly toward Emmeline as if to gauge her reaction to the mention of his cousin. “The earl’s mother, Lady Marjorie Egerton, and my mother are sisters.”
“Your family history is an interesting one.” Louisa nodded, cocking her head as if in thought. “Hroefn? That means raven, does it not?”
“It does.” Colin nodded in affirmation.
“What a witty turn of phrase then, to name the earldom Ravenshollow,” Louisa noted.
Colin smiled. “My grandfather used to say that our forebearers were given the name due to the men of the family having such dark hair, like a raven’s wings.”
“I see that you did not inherit this trait,” Louisa remarked, gesturing elegantly to Colin’s sandy brown hair.
Colin shook his head. “Alas, no. I am like my father in that respect.”
“You have the earl’s eyes,” Emmeline remarked in spite of herself. She had not intended to speak her thoughts aloud, but now they were out there, and everyone’s eyes had turned to her. “You have your grandfather’s eyes,” she clarified, trying to save herself the embarrassment of everyone knowing that she was thinking about Michael’s hazel eyes.
