Page 31 of The Duke of Desire
Emmaline pursed her lips and gave a little shake of her head. “The awful part is that my father saidno.” Another tear streaked over her bright pink cheek.
Ivy put her hand on Emmaline’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear that. Did he say why?”
“He said Townsend’s finances are in disarray, but I think it’s what happened this afternoon at the shuttlecock match. Father also said he needed to learn to rein in his temper, that he lacked maturity.”
Ivy couldn’t disagree with the bit about Townsend’s temper. Perhaps he did need to mature a little.
Emmaline’s eyes narrowed, and her jaw clenched momentarily. “They told him that if I am still unmarried in a year, they’ll reconsider—provided he improves himself. It was mortifying!” The tears had stopped, and she seemed angry more than anything else. Good. Ivy had long thought that tears were useless.
“A year isn’t such a long time,” Ivy said softly.
Emmaline glared at her. “I don’t want to wait a year, and I don’t want to marry anyone else.” She straightened and brushed her hands over her face again, seeming to regain much of her composure. “I’ve fallen in love with him, and he with me. Wewillbe married.”
Ivy heard the determination in her tone and recognized it. Emmaline sounded exactly as Ivy had ten years ago. How wrong she’d been.
She tried to find the right words to comfort her, but she also wanted to be pragmatic. “I know how terrible this feels right now, but truly, waiting a year isn’t so bad. You don’t have to marry anyone else in the meantime. Your parents wouldn’t force you, would they?”
Emmaline looked away from Ivy and seemed to ponder the question. “They haven’t so far. I’ve been fairly particular, and they’ve allowed that.” She frowned. “Although they did push me toward Sutton. They were very upset when he didn’t formalize things.” She snapped her gaze back to Ivy. “Maybe theywilltry to force me.”
Ivy knew too well how unyielding and awful parents could be. But she wouldn’t say so to Emmaline. She needed comfort and support, not Ivy’s dire warnings based on horrid experience. “I’m certain you can remain unmarried and wait for Townsend. He’s committed to fighting for you, yes?” That was the most important question. None of this mattered if Townsend wasn’t serious about their future together. Ivy knewthatbetter than anyone.
Emmaline nodded sharply. “Yes. Absolutely.”
Ivy patted her shoulder. “Then you have only to be patient.”
“A year is so long.” Emmaline sounded defeated but not demoralized. This was good. “Thank you. I’m a bit better, but not well enough to return to my parents yet. Can we just sit here together for a while?”
Ivy glanced toward the clock on the side table and tensed. It was already five past eleven. She was late. West was waiting for her.
She looked toward the sad eyes of her friend and knew he’d be waiting all night.
