“Will there be anything else, Lady Edgerton?” Millie asked as she placed the tray on a low table.
“No, that will be all,” Courtney said.
Millie bobbed a quick curtsey before turning to leave.
While Millie exited, Lord and Lady Alesbury joined the group. “Lovely to see you again, Your Grace,” Violet said with a curtsey.
“Lady Alesbury,” Richmond said with a nod.
Alesbury extended his hand. “Richmond. Good to see you.”
“Alesbury, you as well,” he said with a firm handshake.
Emma watched as Richmond greeted everyone and wondered why he was here. As she thought about the conversation with her sister in the garden earlier, she wondered if Violet knew he was coming. “Excuse me, Mr. Collingsworth, but Lady Edgerton will need my help pouring out,” she said, quickly leaving him. “Here, let me pour, Lady Edgerton.”
“Thank you. That would be most welcome.” Courtney said, taking a seat.
Out of the corner of her eye, Emma watched Mr. Collingsworth take a seat near his father and made sure to keep her gaze away from his. The last thing she wanted was for Richmond to think she was developing a tendre for the vicar’s son.
“Your Grace,” she said, passing him a cup.
“Thank you, Miss Bainbridge.”
Once all the cups were passed around, Emma took a seat opposite the sofa. Her mind was in a whirlwind as she half-listened to the conversation.She couldn’t help but notice that the duke had little to add and merely sat drinking his tea.
She wondered what Mr. Collingsworth had been about to ask her, although she had a sinking feeling that she knew what it was. It surprised her, especially since she’d never given him any indication that she admired him other than for his tireless assistance to the vicar in service to the village. Had he approached Edgerton for permission to court her? She hoped her brother knew her better than to grant that. She’d never be happy as a vicar’s wife, especially with her outspoken opinions. She must talk to Edgerton—he needed to know that she wouldn’t entertain a courtship from Mr. Collingsworth… or any man for that matter. How could she when her heart was thoroughly lost to the duke?
She glanced at Richmond and drew in a sharp breath at finding his eyes on her.
He smiled, then turned to Alesbury. “When do you plan to return to London?”
“Soon. I have some business to attend to,” Alesbury said.
“Good. I’d like to discuss something with you. My steward has some interesting new concepts in farming.”
Alesbury nodded. “Of course. I’m always interested in increasing the productivity of my farmland. Send a note around when you’re next in Town.”
Emma could barely keep her hands from shaking. She had to know why Richmond was here and said the first thing she thought about. “Your Grace, how’s Lady Charlotte faring?”
“She’s well, although she misses you.”
That brought a smile to Emma’s face. “I miss her as well. The house seems empty without her and Lady Sophia.” She wanted to add thateverythinghad been empty and unfulfilling since he left but held her tongue.
“She sent a message for you. After tea, would you care to take a turn in the garden so I may convey it?”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I would like that.”
“Lady Edgerton, you’re glowing. How are you feeling?” Richmond asked, returning his gaze to Courtney.
Courtney placed a hand over her growing middle. “I’m well, Your Grace, but I don’t mind saying that I’ll be glad when the babe is born. I feel it must be a boy because the babe is quite active now.”
That got a chuckle from everyone.
“Would you like the same room you had last time you stayed here, Your Grace?” Lavinia asked.
Richmond inclined his head. “That wouldbe delightful.”
Tea seemed to last forever, but the vicar and his son finally left, and Edgerton took Courtney upstairs to rest before dinner.
