She was watching him closely and Joshua abruptly understood her concern. “Ours was an arranged marriage, Miss Emerson,” he said gently. “One settled between our fathers and presented as an ideal solution. It was my duty to wed Miss Havilland and hers to wed me. We would have done as much if she had lived. You must not, however, conclude that my heart was broken forever.”
“Oh.”
Joshua found himself making an impulsive confession. “In fact, Miss Emerson, Miss Havilland mistook me for my brother. The duel was Gerald’s to fight, but he was a poor shot so I took his place as was our habit. She strove to save Gerald, not me. He had claimed her heart and I believe she possessed his.”
“You did not know?”
“Not until her demise.”
She blinked and looked away, then back at him again, outrage lighting her eyes. “But you would have married her. She would have been your wife, even though she loved your brother.”
“Yes.”
Her breast heaved with outrage on his behalf. “But that, that iswicked, sir. I did not know Miss Havilland, but I dare to suggest, sir, that she did not deserve a husband of your ilk.”
Joshua could only blink in his amazement.
Miss Emerson was flushed with indignation and held his gaze boldly, utterly convinced of her view.
And his merit.
Well.
Joshua cleared his throat, halfway thinking that to take encouragement from this sign might jeopardize his prospects of success again. Curiously, he felt the need to take that chance.
Perhaps the lady already influenced his views.
“I wonder, Miss Emerson, if Mrs. Jameson gave you any notion of when your new slippers might be finished? I would expect that you might wish to wear them to Lady Haynesdale’s ball on Friday.”
“She said anytime after the morrow.”
“I find myself summoned by the dowager duchess to confer with her on Wednesday afternoon on some matter,” he said.
“Oh. We heard the duke was expected this week.”
“Perhaps then I might also have the opportunity to consult with him.” Joshua returned to the subject at hand. “I could offer you conveyance to Haynesdale Hollow, Miss Emerson, if that suited your convenience, that you might collect your new slippers. It would be no trouble at all.”
Miss Emerson’s smile was dazzling in its brilliance and the sight made Joshua’s heart leap with satisfaction. “I should like that very much.” She curtsied to him, her eyes brimming with delight. “I thank you for your kindness, sir.”
“It will be no trouble at all, Miss Emerson.” He bowed to her, accepting her offered hand and kissing its back. Her hand was bare, her skin warm, and he felt her shiver when his lips brushed against the back of her hand. Her fingers tightened everso slightly on his and he dared to be encouraged anew. He did not realize that his voice dropped low, or even that his eyes had darkened with satisfaction when he glanced upward to meet her gaze. “Indeed, it will be my pleasure to be of service to you.” He did hear the lady catch her breath and see her flush.
“Perhaps you might have time to stop for tea on your return home today,” she said, her voice breathless, and Joshua was powerless to decline.
Helena’s championwas Lord Addersley.
But a week ago, she might have been disappointed to learn that a man she believed to be dull had rescued her with such flair, but now, she saw the error of her conclusions. The viscount had secrets upon secrets, a veritable hidden life. Truly, it would take a lifetime to learn all about him—and when his gaze grew so dark, his manner so intent, Helena could not wait to begin.
Better yet, he had not loved his betrothed. No wonder he had recited the merit of an arranged marriage between virtual strangers—that had been his own circumstance. She could only hope that his words today indicated a significant change in his thinking.
He certainly attributed the change to her, which was more than encouraging.
She spent the day recalling the heady pleasure of his kisses and imagining a future as his viscountess. Curiously, she was less interested in what might be changed about Addersley Manor than what she might experience on her wedding night—as well as the days and nights beyond that.
Never would she decline an opportunity with such haste again!
The rain had begun by the time he returned that afternoon, a gentle drizzle that made the cottage seem cozy and welcoming. Truly, Helena had never spent such a contented interval in that abode as the hour he sat with them in the parlor. Mischief, exhausted from her antics outside, snored on the hearth and Aunt was fulsome upon the conditions and discipline necessary for the proper care of dogs.
Lord Addersley sat politely and sipped his tea as he gave every appearance of listening, his gaze sliding occasionally to Helena, who was similarly attentive. Their gazes clung more than once, and she delighted in noticing a glimmer of humor in his eyes when Aunt made some outrageous claim. She watched his lips tighten slightly in disagreement and saw him straighten with interest at other comments. The man offered a thousand miniscule clues to his perspective, to one who knew how to look.
