He turned. As the siblings smiled at each other, there was no doubt that the duke dearly loved his sister, and the feeling was mutual. They shared the same blond hair, but Charlotte’s eyes were a mossy green instead of her brother’s brilliant blue. Emma had yet to meet the duke’s youngest sister, Lady Sophia and wondered whom she favored. She was looking forwardto making her acquaintance soon. Meeting Charlotte was a much-needed lifeline for her now that Violet was married. Emma was thankful for her newfound friend with whom she could bounce ideas and have intelligent conversations while they took tea together. Charlotte’s love for books was almost as intense as Emma’s, and they’d fallen into an easy friendship.
“Good day, Miss Bainbridge,” Richmond said with a bow.
“Good day, Your Grace,” Emma said with a curtsey. “Lady Charlotte tells me you were looking for me, although I can hardly fathom why.” If she thought her directness would put him off, she was disappointed when he turned those startling eyes’ sole focus on her.
“My sister has expressed an interest in visiting the British Museum. As you seemed to enjoy it the last time we went, would you care to accompany us?”
Emma swallowed the lump in her throat, anxiety tightening her insides. Why was she suddenly nervous about spending time in the duke’s company? She hadn’t been nervous during their first outing, probably because Richmond's attention had been focused on Violet. Perhaps he was merely being polite in granting his sister’s latest wish and only invited her as a companion for Charlotte. That had to be it, and she relaxed slightly.
“Umm—”
She didn’t get a chance to answer before her mother joined them on the terrace.
“Ah, Lady Edgerton, perfect timing,” Richmond said, turning his attention to Lavinia.
“Your Grace? Is there something you need?” she asked.
“I was asking Miss Bainbridge if she'd like to accompany Lady Charlotte and me for another visit to the British Museum along with her maid, of course.”
Her mother smiled broadly. “She’d love to. She very much enjoyed her first visit,” Lavinia said without bothering to consult her.
Richmond swung his gaze back to Emma. “Excellent. Shall we say the day after next? We’ll pick you up at two.”
What just happened?
Emma wasn’t officially out in Society yet, with all the activities that entailed, so I couldn’t claim she was too busy to undertake the outing. She wanted to refuse and say she would prefer to stay home and read a book, but that would be incredibly rude, and she didn't want to disappoint her friend. She did love the museum and was excited about another visit, so what harm could it do to accompany the duke and Charlotte? So, with her mother watching, she did the only thing she could. “That would be lovely. Thank you, Your Grace.”
“I’m so excited you’ll accompany me,” Charlotte said. “I’ve been longing to go.”
“It’s a fascinating place,” Emma said, avoiding gazing at Richmond.
“Are you ready to depart, my dear?” Richmond asked Charlotte.
“Of course. Emma, I’ll see you soon,” Charlotte said, taking her brother’s arm.
“Good day, Your Grace,” Emma said, curtseying to Richmond as he escorted his sister away.
After the duke and Charlotte left the wedding breakfast, Emma slipped away from the celebration and went up to her bedchamber. Since her interaction with the duke, her insides were in turmoil, and she wasn't sure why. The Duke of Richmond couldn't possibly be interested inher, could he? Surely, he only invited her to be company for his sister. At least, that was what she told herself. She had no desire to be courted by anyone, not even a duke, andespeciallynot the Duke of Richmond.
“Miss, you look troubled,” Ava said. “Do you require something?”
Emma shook her head. “No. It’s been a long day. That’s all.”
“It was a beautiful wedding,” the maid said. “Miss Violet looked so happy.”
“She did indeed.”
“Lord Alesbury cut such a dashing figure,” Ava said with a swoony sigh.
Emma chuckled. “I’ll need you to accompany me the day after next in the afternoon. I’m going to the British Museum with my friend, Lady Charlotte.”
“Perfect, miss. I look forward to it. I thoroughly enjoyed our first outing there.”
Emma flopped into the chair by the window, unsure why her insides were in such turmoil. She was merely going to the museum with her friend, and she planned to stay glued to Charlotte’s side for the entire visit.
Chapter 2
William, the Duke of Richmond, was pleased that Miss Bainbridge had accepted his invitation to visit the British Museum, even though it was Emma’s mother who had initially accepted on her daughter’s behalf. While he hadn’t exactly told the truth in saying it was Charlotte’s idea to go there, he had a feeling that Emma would have declined if she’d knownhewas the one who wanted to see her again.
