“That very kind of you, Miss Bainbridge.”
“Not at all. We’ve enjoyed many books together, and I love spending time with her.”
Richmond filled his plate and, after eating his fill, offered his arm to Emma. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely, Your Grace.”
“You look beautiful today, Miss Bainbridge.”
Emma was stunned. She had not expected that from the duke. No one had ever called her beautiful, especially not with Violet and Julia around. She had always felt like the ugly duckling sister and stammered her reply. “Uh…thank you, Your Grace. It’s very kind of you to say.”
“Nonsense. I onlyspeak the truth.”
Frederick had their horses ready by the time they walked to the stables. “Good morning, Your Grace, Miss Bainbridge.”
“Good morning, Frederick,” Emma said.
“Hercules is ready for a good run today, Your Grace.”
“Good. I’ll make sure he gets it,”
Once they were seated on Hercules and Satine, Emma suggested they ride along the river. It was a scorcher of a day, even this early, and the shade would be a welcome relief from the heat.
“I can see why you love the country,” Richmond said. “The estate is quite beautiful.”
Emma nodded. “I have a greater appreciation of it now, after spending months in London, where the air is dirty, the streets are loud, and worst of all, I can’t see the stars at night.”
“I understand, although Town does have a certain appeal. Aren’t you looking forward to your debut?”
“Not at all, but my mother insists upon me having a Season. You are correct, though, about the appeal of London. I do love the museum and the bookstores.”
Richmond stored that information away as another piece of the puzzle that was Emma Bainbridge. As a peer of the realm, he would need to spend time in London when Parliament was in session, but he’d make sure they spent at least six months a year in thecountry. But first, he had to win Emma’s heart, not an easy task by any means, but he was confident he was making strides in the right direction.
After an hour of riding around the estate, Richmond suggested they race back to the stables. “I’d like to get to Warrington before the heat becomes unbearable. Is that agreeable?”
“Absolutely, Your Grace. If I know my sister, she and Lady Sophia are already pacing the parlor, waiting for our return.”
When they reached the stables, he helped Emma down from her horse. “Thank you for a lovely ride this morning, Miss Bainbridge. They are becoming my favorite part of the day.”
“It was my pleasure, Your Grace. I’ll see you in an hour,” Emma said, rushing into the manor.
When Richmond entered a few moments later, he wasn’t surprised to find that Julia and Sophia were indeed already waiting in the parlor.
“We’re ready,” Sophia said, rushing into the foyer.
“Patience, my dear. We shall leave in an hour.”
“Mr. Hunt, he said to the butler who had just entered the foyer, “please have the ducal carriage brought around.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Richmond walked up the stairs to change, thinking about how much he enjoyed Emma’s company. She was everything he wanted in a wife—intelligent, bold, and inquisitive, with a loving nature. He’d been so tempted to kiss her when he helped her down from her horse, but he wanted their first kiss to be something special, not a quick peck outside the stables.
***
After a quick bath and a change of clothes, Emma pulled on her gloves and bonnet and walked down the stairs.
“There you are, finally,” Julia said, impatiently meeting her on the upper landing. “We’ve been waiting so long for you to be ready.”
