Page 26 of Healing the Duke's Desires
“I’m afraid not,” Emily admitted, her gaze now turned away from the hedges. Her sister’s keen observation might expose the turmoil inside of her, unless she was much more careful than she had been so far.
At that moment, Henry joined in. “I think Emily is simply lost in the beauty of the garden.”
She couldn’t tell if they were both hinting again at their previous conversation or if it was just an innocent comment. She decided to understand it as the latter. “Indeed, the garden is absolutely enchanting. I cannot stop reveling in it.”
That seemed to defuse the moment, and the conversation continued effortlessly. But Emily could barely focus on anything else. Her thoughts were consumed by Alexander, his presence lingering like an unspoken promise of things yet to come, and this thrilled her to her very core.
Laughter and music surrounded her, the joy of the occasion contrasting with the tumultuous emotions swirling within. Emily’s gaze once again drifted toward the hedges, her hope warring with doubt. Would she catch another glimpse of Alexander? Would fate be kind enough to grant them another fleeting moment?
She dared not ask for more, not after what she had already been granted, yet it seemed that she could not get enough of him, and it both thrilled her as well as petrified her.
Just then, her eyes befell him. He was at the far end of the garden, effortlessly invested in a conversation with some gentlemen. He looked unbothered, and all at once, fear gripped at Emily, threatening to dash her hopes against the hard, rocky shores of reality. Was he unaffected by their kiss?
How could he not be, after that spark of desire he had ignited inside of her? She couldn’t imagine it. And yet, there he was, looking absolutely calm and composed, as if nothing had happened, while her own fluttering mind was barely able to hold a conversation with her sister, let alone someone else.
She waited for him to turn around, to look at her, but no such luck. At that moment, it was announced that the next game would be whist.
The guests murmured to each other pleasingly as they walked slowly back to the house, where the drawing room had set up to resemble the grandest room of White’s, with card tables and drinks all around to be served at one’s convenience. Apparently, everyone present was quite fond of card games. Gentlemen were eager to see whisky and other liquor, while the ladies preferred tea or lemonade.
“You three!” The dowager duchess gestured at Emily, Sarah and Henry and pointed them to one of the free tables. “Sit over there.”
Emily was caught off guard when Sarah pulled her by the hand toward a table where a man was already sitting, with his back turned to them. Emily gasped silently, her heart plummeting all the way down to her heels.
It couldn’t be. And yet, it was. Emily didn’t need the man to turn around for her to immediately recognize who he was.
Chapter 15
A game of whist would be a welcome distraction from Alexander’s tumultuous thoughts. Truth be told, he was eager to hide away somewhere in the manor and lock the door from the inside. After all, this was his aunt’s party more than it was his. As long as she kept everyone happy and occupied, they wouldn’t even notice that he was gone.
But as if to taunt him, his aunt, probably unknowingly, sat him down with Emily of all people. That meant he would be doing exactly the opposite of what he secretly planned. He watched as the ladies took a seat, with Emily careful to sit opposite him and not next to him. But their gazes locked for a moment, and this sensation was felt more potently than as if they had actually touched.
He turned to Henry, who was already extending a deck of cards toward him. He took them silently, shuffling them first, focusing on the action as if his life depended on it. The cards were dealt, and the game began. However, it was obvious that it would not be just a casual diversion.
The drawing room’s ambiance seemed to lend an air of intimacy to their conversation, as every table focused on its own players and their own rather pleasurable conversations.
“Your garden is a magical place, Your Grace.” Sarah was the first one to speak, much to everyone’s surprise, although they all seemed to appreciate this lighthearted topic.
He smiled, a little taken aback, mostly because he had heard this comment several times this afternoon. But Sarah had truly meant it. “Thank you. I would like to take credit for it, but I cannot in all honesty do that. It is mostly my aunt’s pastime to instruct the gardener on what needs extra care, what needs to be replanted or changed.”
“The result is truly a work of art.” Sarah nodded, glancing out the window.
“Speaking of works of art,” Henry changed the direction of the conversation, “I have had the pleasure of stumbling onto your library, and I have to say, it is a splendid collection.”
Alexander smiled once again. “You are very kind to say so. It was actually my mother’s pride and joy.”
… or so I’ve been told.But he didn’t add this second, echoing thought. He decided to keep that to himself.
“She has always been a fan of the classics,” he added, feeling safer when talking about literature and the arts, instead of his personal life.
“Oh, really?” Sarah exclaimed. “Why, Emily loves classics!”
At that moment, all eyes were on Emily. Alexander thought she would feel embarrassed, being singled out in such a manner, but she seemed more than happy to discuss something that brought her joy.
“I do.” She smiled at her sister. “I’ve always felt a deep connection to the characters and the stories. It is almost as if, after you finish a novel, they become a part of you, don’t you think so?”
He wasn’t certain whether this question was aimed at him or if she was merely speaking to everyone at the table. Her voice was tinged with nostalgia, and she recounted her favorite novels with a passion that was infectious. Without even realizing it, he was hanging on her every word, drawn into the worlds she described with such vividness.
He couldn’t help but agree with her. “It is the mark of a truly great story when it resonates with you in such a manner,” he confirmed. “Do you have a favorite?”
