Page 14 of Pursuing a Duke
Emmeline led them off to the side of the room. “Do you need spectacles?”
Lilly giggled. “No. I see perfectly. Why?”
“That, my dear Lilly, is Langford.”
“Henry’s nephew? The new earl? That’s impossible. I met him. Surely I would remember what he looked like.”
“Don’t panic, but here they come.” Emmeline squeezed her hand, causing Lilly to wince.
“Please let go of me,” Lilly squeaked out.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize.”
“Mrs. Fitzpatrick.” Blackstone’s gaze—intense and uncomfortable—never left her face. Emmeline didn’t offer herhand, but he reached out and took it nonetheless and bowed most gallantly. She had the feeling he was mocking her.
He dropped her hand, and Emmeline curtsied, her eyes downcast. “Your Grace.” As she stood, she looked at him, trying to decipher his mood while she drank in the sight of him. When she had seen him last, he’d looked dreadful and on death’s door. He had been unhealthy and angry at his father and her. The man standing before her now was the epitome of health. His hair was lighter than she remembered, and his skin was tanned, no doubt from his time at sea. His green eyes were guarded but clear. He stood taller than most men and filled out his jacket well. From what she could tell, he’d put on weight and muscle. He’d been gaunt before he left London.
She presented Blackstone to Lilly and Blackstone re-introduced her to Langford. It was all quite awkward. Shortly later, after they made small talk, she found herself alone with Blackstone as Lilly and Langford danced. “I’m sorry about your father.”
“Thank you.”
“I heard you invested in Mayfair Imports and Exports, and the business is thriving.”
“Yes. My father throwing me out was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Yes, well,” she said, fiddling with her fan as her nerves got the best of her. “I’m happy for you.”
Leaning close, he whispered, “Are you?”
Why was he goading her? In the span of ten minutes, he had glowered, smirked, and sneered at her. Never mind what his eyes conveyed: a confusing combination of dislike, hunger, and indifference. How was she to know what he really felt? She didn’t have the chance to answer his question as Lilly returned to her side, and Langford hurried away, looking angry.
“Why did he run off?” Blackstone asked with a knowing smirk. He bowed. “If you’ll excuse me, ladies. I should seek out my friend.” Emmeline’s eyes followed him until he ducked through the glass doors to the veranda.
“Tell me what happened,” Emmeline said.
It transpired that Langford had asked Lilly why Henry had married her, and Lilly had intimated that it had to do with his desire to have a more suitable heir. Emmeline laughed at that.
“What a little devil. I didn’t realize you could lie so easily.”
Emmeline and Lilly strolled arm and arm out of the ballroom making their way to the drawing room in search of refreshments. After partaking, Lilly danced with the Duke of Westport. Emmeline did not have time to warn her about his lechery, and she felt terrible for Lilly as she watched him leer down the front of her gown and drool.
“May I join you?”
Instant awareness of Blackstone’s deep, smooth voice wrapped around her, making her overly warm. “By all means.”
“You and the countess seem quite close.”
“It has been nice having her stay with me. I haven’t had a close friend since Catherine and I were young.”
“How is the Viscountess of Appleton?”
“She is well. Busy with her five children, three sons and two daughters, and living at their country estate. We correspond, but I haven’t seen her in several years.” A sadness fell over Emmeline as she missed her onetime closest friend. Thankfully, she had Lilly now. And to be honest, she and Lilly were closer than she and Catherine ever had been. Not to belittle the friendship she and Catherine had shared, it was just that it was different with Lilly. They had been living together for nine months and doing everything together. And they understood each other on a deeper level as only widows could.
Blackstone chuckled, “Appleton has his heir and then some.”
“Now that you have inherited the dukedom, are you looking for a wife to settle down and produce heirs with?” Heat kissed her cheeks, and she wished she could take back her words. She had been so reserved the past six years. What possessed her to speak her mind now? But deep down, she wanted to know if he was looking for a wife and if she could be that person. Or, her heart constricted, did he have his future duchess already picked out?
Coughing into his hand, Blackstone muttered, “Warn a man before you ask something so personal. As for your answer, eventually. But right now, I’m getting acclimated to my new role and all it entails. Marriage can wait.”
