“Yes! Now she and I will truly be sisters.”
“She’ll be thrilled, I’m sure, but not as thrilled as I will be to show off my beautiful wife. May I tell you a secret?” he asked.
“A secret?” she said, adopting a wide-eyed, empty-headed expression.
Richmond chuckled. “I knew you were the one for me during that first visit to the British Museum.”
“The first one? But it was Violet you were escorting back then, not me. In fact, I got the distinct impression you were thinking of courting her,” she teased.
“I was… until I met you. You captivated me with your intelligence and zest for knowledge. Even then, I knew you’d be my perfect duchess.”
“I don’t know what to say except that marrying anyone back then, even you, was the furthest thing from my mind.”
“I know. I made it my mission to wear down your resolve against marriage and win your heart,” he said with a chuckle.
“You did?”
“My dear Emma,” he said, caressing her cheek. “I’ve been courting you since I took you and Charlotte to the museum.”
“You were? I had no idea.”
“I know. In fact, after the Bishop incident, I told Edgerton I wanted to marry you.”
“You did?”
“I did. I don’t mind telling you I was insanely jealous at seeing you standing together. The thought of him kissing you nearly provoked me into landing him a facer.”
“Oh, William. You should know that while I did inquire as to Mr. Bishop’s health, there were never any romantic feelings, at least on my part. I was so worried there would be a scandal when you saw us that day. I would have hated to be ruined or ruin my sister’s future for something that I did notanticipate when I saw Mr. Bishop in the garden. I was only inquiring after his health, nothing more.”
“I realized that, and as it turned out, there was no scandal. Now you’re mine,” he said, pulling her close for another kiss. “As much as I’d love to keep kissing you, my darling, I must speak to Edgerton about the marriage settlements. I shall see you later.”
“I look forward to it.”
Richmond gave her one last sweet kiss before leaving her. Emma stayed in the garden for a long time, reliving the most wonderful conversation of her life. Richmond loved her! She could scarcely believe he could have feelings for her, never mind propose marriage, but it was true, and she had the ring on her finger as proof of his love. She wasn’t even sure when he asked Edgerton for permission to court her. Or, for that matter, how her brother could havekeptthat from her! She’d be irritated with him if she weren’t so happy to become the duke’s wife. She was going to marry the Duke of Richmond! A secret smile graced her lips as she made her way to her bedchamber to rest before dinner.
While Ava was helping her dress, the maid noticed the ring and squealed. “Is that what I think it is?”
Emma nodded. “Yes. The duke proposed earlier in the garden.”
Ava hugged her. “Oh, Miss Bainbridge, I wish you happy.”
“Thank you. And now, Ava, I have a question for you.”.”
“Yes?”
“Would you consider coming with me as my lady’s maid?”
Tears sprang to the maid’s eyes. “I would be honored, Your Grace.”
Emma chuckled. “I’m not ‘Your Grace’ yet. Richmond will announce our betrothal at dinner, so please don’t say anything to the other servants yet.”
“Your secret is safe, my lady. Now, let’s get your hair dressed. I think I’ll weave the pearls into your curls this evening. Will that please you?”
“Very much so.”
When Emma walked into the parlor before dinner, she wore the green silk Richmond had commissioned for her birthday and had never felt more beautiful. It pleased her to see that he was already there, looking impossibly handsome in his evening kit. “Good evening, Your Grace.”
His eyes widened when he looked at her before a smile graced his lips. “Emma, what did I say about all this ‘your grace’ stuff?”
