Page 12 of Playing the Scoundrel

Chapter Five

It was a terrible day for a ride in Hyde Park. In late January, even though the afternoon sun was trying to shine beyond the clouds, it didn’t do much to warm the day, leaving Emma to shiver from the cold. The park was dreary, covered in pockets of snow with bare trees looming overhead. But Mrs. Dunn had reminded her, promenading in Hyde Park was the best way to be seen and to garner interest, so Emma tried to smile through it.

“If I’ve planned this correctly, and I’ll eat my finest feather cap if I’m wrong,” Mrs. Dunn said with a smirk, “we should see Mr. Bernard today.”

Emma sat up in her seat and looked across the lawn, wanting to be ready for the visit of her potential future husband.

But instead, she found the last man she wanted to see. Up ahead on the side of the park path, Mr. Godwin was standing beside his horse with two gentlemen. Emma’s initial reaction was one of anger and disgust, but then she reminded herself that this could be an opportunity to test her theory. If he truly was interested in her, then she could start today and see how long the game would last. Just how long he could be led on.

Until she crushed him.

“What is your goal?” Mrs. Dunn asked.

To ruin Henry Godwin.

Emma shook her head and turned away from him. “Um, to receive an invitation to the theatre for tomorrow night.”

“Very good. Mr. Bernard has a box there and we want to take advantage of that. I can acquire our tickets should he be daft enough not to invite you, but that is the next step toward securing him in marriage. Being seen out in public together.”

Nodding in return, Emma bit her tongue to keep from asking the question that swirled in her thoughts. For being a distant acquaintance, Mrs. Dunn was putting forth so much effort in Emma’s life to secure her a happy match. But she had done nothing to deserve it, especially not when the rest of society had all but rejected her because of her fallen sister, but she was grateful for it.

“Something troubles you about Mr. Bernard?” Mrs. Dunn asked.

“Not at all. He seems like a perfectly amiable gentleman, and I’ll be happy to accept his favor.”

“Then what?”

Emma took a deep breath. “I hope you’ll not think me impertinent, but I was just only wondering why you’re doing all this. Having me here in London and providing me with all these opportunities–”

“Would you rather I not take pity on your unfortunate situation?” Mrs. Dunn raised one white eyebrow.

“Of course not. And I’m so grateful for–”

Mrs. Dunn held up a hand to silence her. “I won’t hear anything of it. All you need to know is I have more money than I will ever be able to use before I die, so I will entertain myself until then. Understood?”

Emma nodded, turning to see the happenings in the park as their carriage slowly trotted by. She wished there was something riveting she could fix her gaze on, because if she didn’t, she’d have to greet Mr. Godwin before she could think of anything to say.

She found her gaze settled on him again, but now he was alone, petting the nose of his horse, eyes glazed over as if deep in thought. His hair was flawlessly styled, his jacket fit with a perfect cut that complimented his wide shoulders, and his cravat framed his chiseled jaw. It was a glimpse of him in his most natural state, for he seemed calm, as if he were letting down his guard in a vulnerable moment. He appeared almost… normal, and not as someone whose life deserved to be ruined. But Emma couldn’t allow that feeling to linger.

“Miss Follett!”

A voice sounded on the air, but Mr. Godwin looked up and caught her eyes on him before she could turn away.

Blast.

Mrs. Dunn’s carriage came to a stop just as a man on a horse appeared beside them. As Mrs. Dunn had predicted, it was Mr. Bernard with a smile on his face.

“How do you do, Miss Follett? Mrs. Dunn?”

“Very well. Thank you for asking,” Mrs. Dunn nodded.

“How are you enjoying the park? It’s a lovely day for an outing, is it not?” he asked.

“Indeed,” Emma said, lying through gritted teeth.

“Do you come to Hyde Park often? If so, I will have to make more effort if it means I have a chance to visit with you.”

Emma flushed to hear of his preference, though it reminded her of something flirtatious Mr. Godwin might say. She snuck a glance at him over Mr. Bernard’s shoulder, and he appeared to be fiddling with his horse’s harness, looking up in her direction every so often, as if waiting for his turn.

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