“Good morning, Richmond,” Charlotte said. “We’ve had a most enjoyable ride around the estate. It’s quite lovely. You should join us some morning.”
“Perhaps I will.”
Emma swallowed the lump constricting her throat. She didn't want to go riding with the duke. Whenever he was near, she felt unsettled. She had trouble stringing words together, her heart sped up, her palms were wet, and she felt short of breath. "Umm…of course, Your Grace, you’d be most welcome,” she managed to croak out.
Richmond nodded to her. “Miss Bainbridge, the fresh air has brought a delightful color to your cheeks.”
Her blush deepened. “Thank you, Your Grace. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to change,” she said, rushing past him and down the hall. As she fled, she could hear Charlotte chatting with her brother, but she didn’t linger to listen to their conversation. Why were her nerves in overdrive? She’d never reacted like that around a man before, so why now? She had to regain control.
“Good morning, miss,” Ava said when Emma entered her bedchamber. “Your bath is nearly ready.”
Emma pulled off her gloves and removed the pins holding her hat in place. “That will be most welcome.”
The bath was refreshing, and by the time she was dressed, she’d convinced herself it must have beenthe exertion of the ride that made her heart pound earlier. She descended the stairs and joined the ladies in the parlor.
“There you are,” Lavinia said.
“Good morning, Mama,” she said, bussing her mother’s cheek. “Is there something you need?”
“Yes. I thought a trip into the village this morning would be a great way to start off the house party.”
“Indeed. That would be lovely.”
“Go fetch your sister and, of course, inform Ladies Charlotte and Sophia as well. I’d like to leave in an hour.”
“Of course, Mama.” Emma turned on her heel and went upstairs. She had no idea why her mother had asked her to convey the news of their upcoming trip to her sister and their guests. She could have easily assigned a servant to the task. Was her mother trying to show her guests that she was a biddable daughter? Emma chuckled at the thought. She hadn’t been biddable for as long as she could remember, but if that was what it took to keep her mother happy, then she would happily play the part, at least for the house party. She couldn’t promise anything after that.
As she walked down the hallway, she heard voices coming from Lady Sophia’s bedchamber. She knocked before entering. “Julia, Lady Sophia, I have asurprise for you.”
Both young girls looked up. “What surprise?” Julia asked.
“Mama’s arranging a trip into the village this morning.”
“And we can come along?” Julia asked, jumping off the bed.
“Yes. You and Lady Sophia are both invited. Mama wants to leave in an hour, so be sure to be downstairs on time with your gloves and bonnets on. We don’t want to disappoint her by being late.”
“Oh, you’ll love the village,” Julia said, turning to Sophia. “There are many lovely shops, including a well-stocked modiste shop.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Sophia said.
Emma left the two girls chatting happily while she went in search of Charlotte. She knocked on her friend’s bedchamber door, but there was no answer. Perhaps she’d gone down to the parlor. She headed back downstairs and found Charlotte standing near the window in the parlor. Unfortunately, she was chatting with the duke.
Charlotte had already seen her enter and waved her over. “Miss Bainbridge, my brother has agreed to accompany us to the village.”
Emma looked at the duke, who greeted her with a brilliant smile that made her insides clench. Why did he have to look so devastatingly handsome? That surely must be a sin. No one should look that good allthe time. His breeches hugged well-muscled thighs, and his dark blue jacket fit his broad shoulders to perfection. A crisp white cravat and light-blue waistcoat completed the outfit.
“I’d be happy to accompany such lovely ladies. A good stretch of the legs would be welcome.”
“But surely you’d rather go shooting with the gentlemen, Your Grace?” Emma asked, hoping she could convince him to stay at the manor.
“Nonsense. One can only shoot so many pheasants. Besides, I’ve not visited Warrington before and am looking forward to it.”
Emma groaned inwardly. She needed to put some distance between herself and the duke, but he seemed intent on staying near her at every opportunity. Perhaps, he was merely a good older brother to Charlotte and Sophia? The sisters clearly doted on him, so he mustn’t be all bad. Emma convinced herself that this was the reason he was going on the outing, but a tiny seed of doubt crept into her mind. Was he enjoying her company? No, that couldn’t be it. She hardly knew the man and couldn’t understand why he would wish to be with her.
Edgerton and Courtney walked into the parlor at about that time. Courtney looked radiant in a light-pink muslin day dress. Lavinia walked over to her. “My dear, you look lovely. Are you feeling better?”
“I am. Thank you.”
