Page 7 of Pursuing a Duke
Beckett and Amanda followed the trunks into the room. Without being told, they began to unpack silently. Emmeline looked around the lovely room which faced the back gardens and boasted plenty of light filtering in through the windows. “This is a charming room. Bright and cheery.” Standing at a large window, Emmeline pointed. “Come see—the gardens below are colorful and full to bursting with guests. Do you wish to rest, or would you like to join the festivities? There are tables set up with food and drinks.” Just then, her stomach grumbled, reminding her she was hungry.
Aiden chuckled when he heard her gurgling stomach. “Let us go to the gardens and partake of some food. I can’t have my wife perishing from hunger.”
“We need to change out of our traveling clothes and freshen up first.” Emmeline went behind a screen with Amanda following, her arms full of a seafoam-green muslin day dress with matching spencer. When they emerged several moments later, Aiden was changed and waiting. “I need another minute while Amanda fixes my hair.”
Aiden and Emmeline, refreshed and stylishly dressed, made their way down two flights of stairs and followed the chatter coming from the back gardens. Exiting the double doors on the far wall of what looked like a music room, Emmeline sighed. It was a relief to be out of the confines of the carriage and move her sore body. Aiden, ever the gentleman, fixed a plate for her andsat her at an unoccupied bench while he returned to fix himself one.
Emmeline’s eyes traveled around the garden, taking notice of those in attendance. She had hoped her friend Lady Catherine would attend since they had not seen each other in over a year, but she’d recently given birth to her second child. She was beyond happy for Catherine and her husband, but that couldn’t stop the pain lancing Emmeline’s heart or the tears threatening to escape. She dabbed her eyes with the napkin Aiden had given her with her plate. She was being overly emotional. Many women had miscarriages. She would find herself increasing again soon. At twenty-two, she had many more years to have children before she was considered past her prime.
Tell that to her broken heart. It refused to listen to reason, and she blinked back tears.
“Sorry it took me so long,” Aiden said as he sat with a plate of food and two glasses of lemonade. He handed her one. “I didn’t spill a drop.”
“Thank you.” She sipped the cool drink, which eased her parched throat. “I’m surprised at the number of people here. There must be thirty guests.”
“At least. Some are inside. I’d say closer to forty.”
“How many are attending the hunt tomorrow?”
“I haven’t seen the attendees list, but I’d imagine most of the men and some ladies will ride along.” He took a sip of his drink. “Do you want to accompany me?”
“No.” Her body was still healing, and the jostling of riding and sitting on a saddle would be uncomfortable.
He patted her hand. “I didn’t think so. I want you to take it easy and not overdo it. Do you want to go up to the room and rest before dinner? I believe it is a formal affair with dancing afterward.”
“No. I’m a little tired, but I’ll be fine. Sitting here in the sun is restoring my energy.”
“Do you mind if I go to the stables and look over the mounts for tomorrow?”
“No. Don’t worry about me.”
“I always do, though... ever since—” his voice cracked. He squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek. “Truly, don’t be a warrior. Rest if you need to.”
Once Aiden left, taking the empty plates and cups, she adjusted her skirts and watched the servants clear the food and tables away. She found herself alone and enjoyed the peace, quiet, and privacy. A light breeze brought a mixed scent of the nearby blossoms her way, and she inhaled the fragrances. Bees buzzed from flower to flower, pollinating the plants. Her eyes fluttered closed, and her muscles eased as the heat from the sun penetrated through the fabric of her clothes, melting the tension away.
“May I join you?”
Her heart fluttered at the sound of the familiar voice and all the air whooshed from her lungs. She opened her eyes, looking up at Andrew’s handsome and guarded face.
“You may.” She scooted over on the bench as far as she could, which wasn’t much before the armrest jabbed into her side.
After he sat down, he looked at her with uncertainty and something else. A great sadness, she thought. “How are you?”
She lowered her gaze to her hands folded together on her lap. She could not tell him the truth so she only said, “I am well. And you?”
His chuckle warmed her heart. “I am well. Thank you.” He paused. “I have written Aiden several times, and he has never replied. Is he upset with me?”
She glanced his way and immediately wished she hadn’t. The devastation in his eyes had her swallowing back tears. “Hereceived your letters. I assumed he wrote you back. I’m sorry he hasn’t and worried you. He is fine. We are both fine. He is busy helping his father with his business. He works almost every day in some capacity. We are staying in London for the most part and keeping to ourselves. We hardly socialize. Aiden doesn’t enjoy large gatherings. And to tell the truth, neither do I.”
Rising, he nodded his head, his gaze elsewhere. “That is all I wanted to know. I hope you are both happy.”
Before she could answer, “We are,” he was gone, leaving her wondering why Aiden hadn’t responded to Andrew’s letters. But that conversation was for another day when they were home in London with no distractions. Being rude to Andrew would not solve whatever problem Aiden might still have with him. Did he perhaps have other issues with Andrew besides the obvious? Could they have had a falling out because of something else? In truth, it would ease Emmeline’s heart if their distance had nothing to do with her. The guilt that plagued her was a heavy burden to carry around day in and day out. It would be a long life if something didn’t change. Not that there was anything for Aiden to be envious of when it came to her brief courtship with Andrew. They had never even kissed.
Thank goodness Aiden had no way of knowing her thoughts and dreams regarding Andrew, though. She suffered enough remorse over that for the both of them.
Emmeline rose from the bench and decided to rest before dinner, after all. Her husband had not returned, and she was bored from sitting alone. She didn’t want to rehash the same thoughts in her head she always did when having a melancholy moment. She would not waste another moment trying to fix what was wrong with her husband’s friendship. Nor would she reminisce about the past between Andrew and her. It never solved anything and only made her more unsettled, anxious, andsad. Aiden needed his friends now more than ever. If only he wouldn’t push them away.
Upon entering their away-from-home bedchamber, she rang for Amanda. When she arrived, she helped her undress down to her chemise. “That will be all, Amanda. Thank you.”
