Page 45 of The Duke of Desire
She expelled the memories from her mind and forced the tension from her shoulders. “If it’s any comfort, I do think Townsend cares for her.” Ivy said that to make Mrs. Forth-Hodges feel better, not because she necessarily believed it.
More tears fell down Mrs. Forth-Hodges’s face, and she swiped at her cheeks. “Yes, Emmaline told us that repeatedly. And he did seem earnest when he came to ask for permission to court her. Perhaps we were too hasty. She’s just…she’s our baby.”
Lady Dunn stood and looked at Mrs. Forth-Hodges with sympathy. “I understand.”
Emmaline’s mother nodded once and then bid them good evening. Barkley showed her out.
Lady Dunn sat back down with a verbal exhalation. “My goodness, what a tangle. Do you think they eloped?”
Ivy stared at the wall for a moment. “I think it’s possible.” She turned to look at Lady Dunn. “No, I think it’s likely.”
The viscountess frowned. “That’s a shame. But if they’re in love and her parents quashed their plans for marriage, what choice did they have?”
Ivy sat back down in the chair Mrs. Forth-Hodges had vacated. “Do you find this romantic?”
“A bit.” She looked at Ivy, cocking her head to the side. “You don’t?”
“No. At best, there will be a scandal. At worst, she’ll be completely ruined.” Ivy worked to keep the disdain from her tone. She wished Emmalinehadconfided in her. Then she could’ve at least tried to talk her out of such insensibility.
“Yes, and that would be a pity. But I doubt Townsend would do that to her. If he was as earnest as Mrs. Forth-Hodges said, it seems likely he would take Miss Forth-Hodges to Gretna Green.”
“One can hope.” Ivy heard the contempt in her voice and nearly winced. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
Lady Dunn’s eyes narrowed briefly. “It doesn’t sound like it. Do you have reason to doubt Townsend’s intentions?”
Ivy lifted a shoulder and looked away from the viscountess. “Not particularly. I am only skeptical.”
“I wonder…” Lady Dunn said softly. “I’ve oft wondered how you became a companion. You’re certainly pretty enough to have snared a husband, and your wit would’ve served you well on the marriage mart.”
“I was never on the marriage mart.” That much was true. But then she never would’ve had a Season even if she hadn’t ruined her future. Her family wasn’t well-placed, nor were they wealthy. They’d expected Ivy to marry a local farmer or maybe a vicar. That Ivy had nurtured dreams of falling in love and marrying a true gentleman had given her mother fits.
“Ah well, I daresay you would have been a success. But what do I know? You’re an enigmatic young woman, Ivy.” Lady Dunn scrutinized her for a moment before standing. “Come, let us go down to dinner and see if the rest of the house party is aware of this scandalous development.”
As Ivy rose, anguish flashed through her. She hated thinking of Emmaline being fodder for the gossip mill. “You don’t plan to say anything, do you?” Ivy asked.
“Goodness, no. I adore gossip, dear, but not when it involves an innocent like Miss Forth-Hodges. I only mean that I wonder if there are rumors.” She gave Ivy an empathetic look. “There are bound to be, I’m afraid.”
Ivy knew that, even as she didn’t want there to be. But Emmaline had created this mess. And, as Ivy had done a decade earlier, she’d suffer the consequences.
The post-dinner discussion amongst the gentlemen centered on tomorrow’s hunt. West hadn’t decided if he would go. He would much rather try to find a reason to spend the time with Miss Breckenridge. He doubted that would be possible, however. The women were supposedly taking a ride to the folly Wendover had built last year.
When the men were finished, West made his way to the drawing room in the hope of finding a reason to speak with Miss Breckenridge, if only for a few moments. What had happened to him that he sought her attention like a lad begging for sweets in the kitchen?
As soon as he entered the drawing room, he felt the tension in the air. The women were in small groupings, their heads bent. Miss Breckenridge sat in the corner, as she usually did, her attention focused on a book in her lap.
She looked up and found his gaze. He expected her to divert her attention from his, again, as she usually did, and was surprised when she didn’t. Instead, she inclined her head ever so slightly to the right.
He glanced in that direction, confused as to what she could possibly mean. Maybe he’d imagined the tilt of her head.
Wendover announced that the gaming tables were set up, and that Lady Wendover would be leading songs. Miss Breckenridge stood and went to her employer. She helped the viscountess up and guided her to the hall so she could enjoy another evening of game play, which seemed to be her preferred pastime.
West strolled into the hall, and as soon as he saw Miss Breckenridge veer toward the library, he understood. She’d been trying to tell him to meet her there.
And if he were merelyhopingthat was what she wanted… Well, he’d find out soon enough.
“They’re trying to keep it quiet, but it’s a scandal.”
West picked up the conversation between Mrs. Chalmers and Mrs. Pippin as they walked by him into the hall.
