Page 14 of A Foolish Flirtation

The coach wheels turned, and Jeremy regarded her with some surprise. “And why is that?” When she did not speak, he asked slyly, “Have you been reminiscing, Emmeline?”

Emmeline’s cheeks turned pink, and she would not meet his eye. “C-certainly not!” she said breathlessly. “It is merely because, well, because we are both avid novel readers, I’m afraid.”

He waited but she did not elaborate, instead turning her head to stare fixedly out of the window, her expression stony.

“Your latest novel features a wicked viscount?” he hazarded, taking the chance to appreciate her profile. She had a perfect retroussé nose, he reflected. He would like to own a cameo depicting it.

She turned even pinker. “Something like that,” she admitted uneasily, making him laugh.

“Count Stefano,” he guessed softly, and Emmeline’s hands flew to cover her cheeks.

Her astonished face whipped around. “How on earth did you—?”

“Lucky guess.” She looked so dismayed he had a terrible impulse to tease her and really that was the last thing he ought to be indulging in right now. He needed to ruthlessly press his advantage, not sit here dallying with her like some infatuated swain. “What is the title? I will make sure to pick up a copy.” Shut up, Jeremy. He couldn’t seem to help himself.

Emmeline shook her head, then met his eyes full on. He held his breath. “If we really do this thing…get married I mean, you will let me keep Pinky, I mean, Hannah Pinson, won’t you?” she asked hoarsely.

He was startled. “Your companion?”

“Yes.”

He paused. “You wish to retain her services after we are married?”

She nodded. “Yes, you see, she is not just—” She made a vague hand gesture, then started again. “She is my very best friend in all the world,” she said gravely. “I cannot imagine being without her.”

Jeremy felt an unpleasant sensation that he had to examine a moment to even identify. Jealousy. How strange. It was not an affliction he had ever suffered from before, and Amanda had taken several lovers in the collapsing days of their marriage. He was jealous of a dowdy spinster companion. “She must have been in your employ for some years.”

“Yes, for she was my governess before she was my companion. She has been in my life since I was five years old. By this point she is more like family.”

He frowned. “She was not your companion during your season though.”

“No,” she agreed uncomfortably. Any mention of her season seemed to discompose her. “My father did not think her sufficiently smart for a London season. He dismissed poor Hannah, and I came out under the aegis of Mrs. Barbara Laverdale. She was the widow of a captain of the dragoon guards. I expect she is the one you remember.” She swallowed, still avoiding his gaze.

Why? he wondered. In truth, he could hardly remember the Laverdale woman. She had obviously been remiss in her duties, for Emmeline had been far from well-guarded. If she had, he would not have been able to impose on her as he had.

“Poor Hannah suffered a twelvemonth in the employ of a family in Yorkshire who had four rambunctious children and three boisterous dogs,” she continued after an uncomfortable pause.

Jeremy considered his options. He did not want Miss Pinson guarding Emmeline against him at every turn, an inconvenience in his own home. She seemed a tiresome, fussy little woman who would fling herself in front of her charge whenever she felt it her duty to shield her from life.

However, by denying Emmeline’s first request, he felt it would set an unfortunate tone to their new arrangement. He knew only too well how such a decision could sour things. “Perhaps Miss Pinson could use her governess skills to help out with Teddy,” he conceded graciously at last.

“Teddy?”

“My son.”

“Oh!” She winced. “She is rather terrified of boys, in truth.”

By great restraint, he managed not to roll his eyes. “It probably won’t be for long. He will have to go to school at some point,” he said vaguely.

She bit her lip, likely not reassured with this, but it was as much as he was willing to give. “And where is that you principally reside these days?” She clutched her hands together. “London?” she asked almost fearfully.

“Cornwall,” he corrected her. “Have you ever visited? My family estate is there.”

“Oh!” She brightened a little. “No, I have never been. I have heard that coastline is very beautiful.”

“I am prejudiced but yes, I believe so.” The carriage was slowing down now, and Jeremy waited only for it to stop before climbing out and turning to help her down. It was not his custom to hover over ladies but he felt strangely proprietary and wanted to do all the handing in and out when it came to Emmeline.

“Hutton’s?” she said, seeing he was towing her in the direction of that fashionable tea shop. “It looks very busy this morning,” she said with some misgiving. “Why do we not go instead to that little place opposite?”