Page 16 of Pursuing a Duke
“No.” Andrew said, and his entire body relaxed. At least if he messed this up, he had no competition he knew of. Yet.
*
The following monthhad its ups and downs. There was little time to get Emmeline alone to request to court her properly. The countess kept close by her side at all times. That and Andrew didn’t really push the issue. He was stalling, which was a terrible trait he had recently acquired.
Then one night when Langford had had business in St. Giles, he’d been run over and pinned beneath a carriage wheel, and it was the countess and Emmeline who had come to his rescue. Both Emmeline and Lilly belonged to the Ladies’ Society of Mayfair, a charity that supplied the citizens of St. Giles and other surrounding areas with medicine, clothing, and food.
By chance they were in St. Giles making a delivery when they came upon the accident. Andrew was thankful they were there. Otherwise, Langford might have died. He recovered at Emmeline’s townhouse for several weeks, and the friends spent time watching over him.
During the time Langford convalesced, Lilly was also being courted by Viscount Redford, and Andrew invited Emmeline, Viscount Redford, and Lilly to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens for a night of dancing. Andrew had the whole night planned. Stalling be damned, he would dance with Emmeline, and hopefully sneak off with her to the private gardens to steal a kiss or two.
The first part went to plan—they did dance and they did go into the private gardens. Andrew had even pulled Emmeline into his arms. But just as he leaned down to kiss her, they wereinterrupted. They had still never shared a kiss, and he hoped to remedy that soon.
To be fair, the interruption had been justified. Redford had accosted Lilly in the gardens and Langford had been forced to come her rescue. Not long after, Redford kidnapped Lilly, and tried to force her to marry him. It turned out he wanted her money. But Langford had saved her again and proposed to her. Now, they were married.
And now, not long after Langford’s and Lilly’s nuptials, Andrew found himself invited, along with Caldwell, to a house party in Bath at the Marquess and Marchioness of Waterford’s country manor and accepted the invitation. Though he had only done so as he knew Emmeline meant to attend with her mother.
It was time to be bold and hopefully win Emmeline over.
*
As their carriagepulled up the drive of the Marquess and Marchioness of Waterford’s country manor right outside of Bath, Emmeline said, “I can’t wait to see Catherine. I was shocked when I received her letter stating she and the viscount would attend.”
“I’m not, since she and the marchioness are first cousins,” her mother said.
“That is true. I have a feeling Catherine asked Claire to include me knowing I’ve re-entered Society. Either that or they were short one single lady. A good party must have equal numbers of single gentlemen and ladies. Married couples are already a pair.”
“Oh, my dear, you were invited because they want you to attend. You three had your first Season together.”
Her heart hurt. “Yes. Now they are married, and each has a nursery full of children while I’m a childless widow. Claire probably just took pity on me.”
Mother patted her hand. “Since when have you ever felt sorry for yourself? You stand up tall and hold your head high. And I know for a fact that Blackstone is attending.”
Her heart went from hurting to skipping. “No doubt Catherine’s doing.”
Her mother giggled. “No doubt. Even from a great distance, your childhood friend is looking out for you.”
The door opened, and the stairs lowered. “Here, let me.” The gentleman they had just spoken of leaned into the carriage with his hand out. “Baroness.”
Mother took his hand. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
He smiled. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Once her mother exited, Blackstone leaned back in, his hand out again. “Mrs. Fitzpatrick.” The glint in his eyes took her breath away.
“Blackstone.” When their hands touched, the connection they’d had ten years ago returned, and she had to fight back her tears of joy.
Andrew—she tried to think of him as Blackstone, but it wasn’t easy—escorted them inside the manor, and the marquess and marchioness greeted them. Claire looked lovely, if a little tired, but she greeted Emmeline warmly.
“Mrs. Fitzpatrick, may I call you Emmeline?”
“Yes, please do.”
She pulled Emmeline into a hug. “Call me Claire like you used to. It is so good to see you after all this time.”
Emmeline hugged her back. “It is wonderful to see you. Thank you for inviting me and my mother.”
“Catherine just arrived and is getting settled. I know she is beyond excited to see you.”
