Page 37 of Pursuing a Duke
Chapter Eleven
“What a shockto run into the Marquess and Marchioness of Waterford’s house party today. And to have the good fortune of Blackstone amongst the guests.” The Countess of Hartford said to Emmeline, snapping open her fan and waving it. “He is still dreadfully handsome. My daughter has had her eye on him since the Season began. It is too bad you have been monopolizing his time. But you can’t possibly expect him to be still interested in you? You are... may I be blunt?... past your prime.”
The rude and hurtful words had her insides seething, and Emmeline wished she could grab Lady Hartford’s fan from her hands and slap the biddy on her cheek with it. It was no less than she deserved for insulting her. Instead, she would use her words. “If you hope to endear your daughter to Blackstone, insulting me will not help. I am his closest friend, and he heeds my opinion. He will not court or marry anyone I disapprove of. Lady Beatrice may be the sweetest, most polite and kind person, but her mother is not, and His Grace will not chain himself to a lady whose mother is gossipy, nasty, and invading.” Her curtsy barely existed. “Good day, Countess.”
Trembling all over, barely able to see from her anger and, worse, mortification, she wove through the crowd until she found a large tree and leaned her back against it. It took over eight times of inhaling and exhaling before she calmed. Never had she been insulted like that. It made her wonder if others felt the way the countess did. Were they whispering and laughingbehind her back? Thinking her a fool as she paraded around on Andrew’s arm? She had many insecurities regarding him and her age, but she had finally thought she had put them to rest. Obviously not, if it only took one remark from a spiteful countess to have her shrinking inside and her confidence scattered into the wind. Well, she wouldn’t let her actions or words taint what she had with Andrew.
“Here you are,” Andrew said as he stood before her, taking her in. His brow cocked. “What is wrong?”
Shaking her head, she said, “Nothing.”
He leaned close and murmured, “I don’t believe you.” He crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels, his eyes piercing hers. “Tell me what Countess Hartford said.”
She shrugged. “What makes you think she said anything?”
“Because I know her. My mother disliked her, but she never got the hint and visited often after my father passed. She would come with Lady Beatrice and prattle on and on about merging our families in marriage.” He leaned closer and said through clenched teeth, “It is never going to happen.”
Emmeline let out her breath. “She told me I waspast my prime.” Emmeline knew twenty-eight wasn’t past prime. Many ladies married for the first time at that age and proceeded to give their husband heirs. However, Countess Hartford had tapped into Emmeline’s own insecurities about her age and used them against her.
“What?” His voice rose and attracted the attention of several people nearby. “I’ll tell her who is old, shall I? Emmeline, do not believe anything that gossipy wart-faced lady says. Eight and twenty is not old. You are more beautiful and more youthful than any other lady here.” His fingers caressed her cheek. “You are the only one for me. When we are seventy, I will still love and want you.” He held out his hand. “Come. Let us go shoppingand then visit the Pump Rooms. The carriages are picking us up there in two hours.”
Emmeline took Andrew’s arm as they left Sydney Gardens behind and walked toward Bond and Milsom Streets. Andrew led her inside a jeweler’s, and her pulse soared. “What are we doing here?” she asked.
“I thought I could cheer you up by buying you something pretty to wear on your wrist.”
The lemonade she’d recently drunk sloshed around inside her stomach. All she thought about was what they had shared the previous two nights. Did he feel obligated to buy her expensive jewelry because she slept with him? She took his hand and led him to a quiet corner.
“If you are buying me a trinket because I slept with you, please don’t bother. I gave myself to you freely.”
“Emmeline, my dear,” he whispered, an expression of contrition on his face. “Please forgive me if you thought such a thing. I’ve never purchased jewelry for anyone unless you count my sisters and nieces. I saw the store and thought that since you wear bracelets, perhaps you would like a new one. It was an innocent thought. Please let me buy you a trinket. It is the first time I can do so when you are free to receive my gift.”
Feeling silly and embarrassed, she curled her lips into an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I believe lack of sleep the past two nights is affecting my thoughts.” He was right. The Andrew she knew would never feel obligated to buy her favors, so why was she even thinking such thoughts? When it came to him, sometimes her confidence and clear thinking disappeared.
He winked and grinned as though he had done something naughty. “Come. Let’s look at what the store has to offer.” Emmeline and Andrew stood looking over several pieces on display. “Do you like that one?” Andrew pointed to a beautiful piece, and before she could reply, he spoke to the proprietor.“The lady would like to see the gold and diamond bracelet with the pearls. And the matching earbobs as well.”
“That is too much, Your Grace.”
“Nonsense, my dear. Anything for you.”
“If I may suggest,” the shopkeeper said. “There is a matching necklace as well. Shall I get it?”
Emmeline noticed that the moment she referred to Andrew asYour Grace, the proprietor’s eyes had widened. He no doubt hoped for a most profitable sale.
“Yes. We will take all three pieces.”
Andrew tucked the box into his jacket pocket after the proprietor wrapped the jewelry in a black velvet box tied with red ribbon. When they were outside, he leaned close. “I can’t wait to see you in nothing but these jewels tonight,” he said, his voice raspy and laced with lust.
His comment, the way he said it, as though he were seducing her right there on the street, had her entire being tingling with awareness. “You are a complete rakehell, Your Grace. Come, let us continue,” she said as she wrapped her arm through the crook of his elbow. Thankfully, her knees didn’t buckle as her body still hummed for him and what he would do to her later within the confines of her bedroom. “Now behave before someone hears you say something scandalous.”
This time, he laughed. “I’m sorry, Emmeline, but you look good enough to eat, and I am famished.”
Ignoring the meaning behind his words, she continued pulling him along. “Shall we visit the Pump Room?” From what she’d heard, the Pump Room was not just a place to go and drink the restorative waters, but also a social place to gossip and mingle with the residents of Bath and those visiting on holiday.
When they arrived, Andrew and Emmeline made their way to the water table, filled glasses with the liquid, and crossed theroom. Emmeline’s mother separated from a group of women she was with and made her way to them.
“There you are,” her mother said to her and Andrew. “Your Grace.” She curtsied. “I wondered when you’d make your way here.”
“Have you been here before, baroness?” Andrew queried as he sipped from his glass.
