Chapter 1
May 1819
London, England
***
With her maid standing nearby acting as a chaperone, Miss Emma Bainbridge waited outside the Edgerton townhouse for her sister Violet and her new husband, Viscount Alesbury, to depart on their wedding trip. She was thrilled for her sister and glad Violet could finally marry the man she loved. Their mother, Lavinia, Dowager Viscountess Edgerton, had initially pushed her sister toward the Duke of Richmond. However, after Lord Alesbury rescued her from a madman bent on ruining her, their mother relented and supported Violet’s desire to marry the lord. Of course, as the head of the family, their brother, Viscount Edgerton, always had the final sayabout whom Violet would marry and could have easily overruled their mother’s objections. Still, everyone agreed the household was much more pleasant when Lavinia was happy. Emma was glad that her mother had seen the error of her ways, although she doubted Lavinia would ever admit she’d been wrong.
Now that Violet was happily married, Emma knew Mama would turn her matchmaking plots on her. It was the last thing she wanted. She’d be turning eighteen in September, which meant she would be launched into Society next spring, much to her utter dismay. She’d tried to postpone her coming out, but her mother wouldn’t hear of it. Emma didn’t always agree with her mother, but she nonetheless loved her and didn’t want to spend the next year arguing about delaying her debut. Mama was a lioness who protected her cubs no matter the cost, and Emma admired her for that. In the end, to keep peace in the household meant a spring debut for her exactly as her mother had planned.
She wished she could be happy about her come out. Unfortunately, there was nothing that excited her about theton.She found Society events tedious and pretentious, with all their strict rules for women on the marriage mart. Unmarried women were held to near-impossible standards, their behavior hemmed in by rules, right down to the acceptable topics for conversation with would-be suitors. There could be no talk ofcritical and exciting matters, like politics, architecture, travel, or even the latest novels. That was the cruelest rule of all. Emma loved books—all kinds of books—she adored reading about all sorts of topics and talking endlessly about them. What was so wrong with that?
Emma could always be found with a book in her hand, much to her mother's dismay, but reading was vital to her well-being. She knew her mother feared that if she continued along her current path, she’d gain a reputation as a bluestocking, but why was that a bad thing? Reading expanded her mind and fed her soul with wonder, and she would never give it up, even if it meant she failed to receive a marriage proposal during her Season. She cared little if she didn’t receive offers in subsequent Seasons either and ended up as a spinster. Her mother would be appalled at her attitude. Hence, Emma tried hard to keep her opinions to herself, especially since she didn’t want to suffer through her mother’s endless lectures on proper behavior and what was expected of her. She’d never deliberately do anything to bring scandal down on the family, but she couldn’t give up her love of reading either, not even to please her mother.
The front door opened, interrupting her musing. She turned, waiting for her sister and Lord Alesbury to walk down the stairs and reach her side.
“Emma, is there something wrong?” Violet asked when she reached her.
“No, not at all. I merely wanted a private moment to wish you well. I’m happy you were able to wed the man you love.”
“Thank you,” Violet said, hugging her. “Perhaps you should go back inside. I’m sure His Grace is missing your company.”
“His Grace? I don’t know why he would be missingmycompany. I barely know the man.”
Violet chuckled. “You might be surprised. Goodbye, dear sister. I'll write to you soon.”
Emma’s brows knitted in a frown as she tried to understand her sister’s cryptic comment. Why would the Duke of Richmond be missing her company? She’d only known him for a few weeks, and they’d had a few conversations, but nothing extraordinary stood out in her mind. While he had seemed interested in her comments when he’d escorted her and her sisters to the British Museum last month, she’d thought little about it at the time. She’d been sure he was only being kind to her because he’d been interested in courting Violet.
She watched her sister’s carriage until it was out of sight before turning to her maid. “I’ll see you later, Ava,” she said, making her way back inside Edgerton House.
Ava nodded as she headed toward the servant’s entrance at the back of the townhouse. “Of course, miss.”
“There you are, Miss Bainbridge,” Lady Charlotte Davies said when Emma walked into the foyer.
“Hello, Lady Charlotte. I was outside saying goodbye to Lady Alesbury.”
“Lord and Lady Alesbury looked so happy, didn’t they?”
"Indeed. I'm glad my sister could marry the man she loved.”
Charlotte frowned. “What do you mean? Was there another match in the offing?”
Emma shook her head. “Not for my sister. There was only ever Lord Alesbury.” She had no intention of telling her friend that Lavinia had been pushing Violet toward Charlotte’s brother, the Duke of Richmond. Emma loved her mother dearly but wasn’t fond of her single-mindedness when she got an idea in her head.
She needed to change the subject. “Won’t you please call me Emma? Whenever I hear Miss Bainbridge, I think Violet is behind me.”
Lady Charlotte chuckled. “Of course, and then you must call me Charlotte. I came to find you because Richmond was looking for you.”
“The duke was looking for me? Why? What doeshe want?”
“I’ve no idea, but come; he's out on the terrace. Let's go together and find out what he wants.”
Emma was reluctant to follow her friend, but Charlotte grabbed her hand and practically dragged her through the parlor. When they reached the French doors that led out to the terrace, Emma pulled her hand free.
The newly elevated Duke of Richmond, William Davies, stood on the terrace looking out over the garden. Emma had to admit he was handsome, with his broad shoulders, strong jawline, and blue eyes—a blue so vibrant, it seemed a crime they should be bestowed on a man. His entire being throbbed with vitality, and she was awed by his masculine beauty. His blond hair was longer than fashionable, but it suited him, not that she cared about such things one way or the other. How the duke wore his hair was his own business and certainly didnotaffect her.
“Richmond, I found her,” Charlotte said, stepping onto the terrace.
