Page 46 of Playing the Scoundrel

“Why so pensive? Did the conversation not go to your liking?”

“I…” Emma couldn’t get the words out. “I hope I have not proven a disappointment to you, Mrs. Dunn. You gave me one goal for the season, and I’ve tried my best to accomplish them. I want to make you proud, make Mother and Father proud…”

“Calm down, my girl.” There was a chuckle in Mrs. Dunn’s voice that made Emma grateful. “What’s happened?”

“Mr. Bernard heard gossip about me having a conversation with Mr. Godwin in the churchyard, and I think it made him concerned that he’s not the only gentleman I’m spending time with.”

“Well, there’s no harm in receiving multiple callers. In fact, it should have the affect of making you look more desirable, so I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong just yet.” Mrs. Dunn shifted in her seat. “You don’t have an understanding with either of them, correct?”

“No. Well…”

“Well?”

Emma could not look up. “Mr. Godwin confessed himself in love with me, and I rejected him.”

“Rejected him?” Mrs. Dunn’s voice was not cross, but surprised. “So you didn’t just have a row, you broke his heart.”

“But he’s a rake! He doesn’t have a heart to break.”

Any amusement fell from Mrs. Dunn’s face. “That’s unfair, my dear. You don’t know the life Mr. Godwin has suffered to make him the way he is. And even if he did slight your friend, he’s not a man who would have hurt her. Or you, for that matter. I wouldn’t have let him near you if that were the case. Because I do want you to have a successful season, though that could have a different looking outcome than I had planned.”

Emma didn’t like what Mrs. Dunn was insinuating, or the way it caused her heart to flutter.

“Now, do you care for Mr. Bernard?” Mrs. Dunn asked.

“He is an amiable gentleman and I’m honored by his–”

“That is not what I asked.”

Emma sighed. “Not yet, but I’m certain I could in time.”

“As I expected. And do you care for Mr. Godwin?”

It took her a longer time to answer this question, for she knew what the pounding of her heart meant. She didn’t need to dig very deep to find the truth, but she was loath to admit it aloud. “Probably more than I should.”

“Or maybe, at this point in time, just the right amount.”

The carriage pulled to a stop, and Emma looked up in confusion.

“I won’t press you in either direction, Emma, and you needn’t make any decisions right away. If you wish to accept Mr. Bernard, I have no doubt you’ll be very happy with him. But I will say, if your concern for Mr. Godwin is his rakish behavior, then I want you to know that I’ve seen a great change come over him recently. Not just since your row, but even before. I cannot say if the man will ever truly settle down, so I don’t want you to put all your eggs in that basket, but I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage that reformed rakes make the best husbands. I can’t say if Mr. Godwin is fully reformed yet, but I believe for you he would, and you could be just as happy with him. Perhaps even happier if he is the one your heart truly longs for.”

The footman opened the door to help them out of the carriage, but Emma didn’t move right away. She was lost in thought, completely shocked by Mrs. Dunn’s words. First Mr. Bernard thought her favor was in jeopardy, and now Mrs. Dunn was telling her she could have her pick? When Emma had rejected Mr. Godwin, she assumed that would be the end of it. But then he said things like he wanted to prove himself worthy of her. And Mrs. Dunn’s vision of the future for her, married to a reformed rake, did have a certain enticement to it. But it couldn’t be a possible reality, could it? Marriage to Mr. Godwin was impossible.

So why did the idea thrill her so?

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