“Oh, well, did I not hear the door?”
Benedict straightened up, one hand held behind his back.
“You did, Your Grace, though it was not the visitor you expected,” Benedict said and before Emmaline could question him on who it was, a flurry of skirts entered the room.
“Oh, forgive me Benedict but I could not abide your fluffing,” the woman, a most young and beautiful girl of no more than sixteen—perhaps eighteen at most— entered the room and practically threw her arms around Emmaline. “And you must forgive me also, Your Grace, but I could not wait another second to meet you!”
Dumbfounded, Emmaline stood stock still, unsure whether to embrace in return or pull away.
“Your sister-in-law, Your Grace, Lady Lorraine Black,” Benedict offered up, his raised eyebrow hinting at his own irritation for the lack of formality.
Emmaline's heart leapt into her throat. Her mind raced.Sister-in-law?
She thought back, trying harder and harder to remember what Alex might have said of a sibling. Much of it was lost in the passion of his kiss and the thrusting of his hips, though she did distantly remember some mention of a sister, something about France and something else about his accident.
I do not know my husband as well as I thought,she gulped.Why did he not tell me of her visit?
Aloud, she said in a most friendly manner, “Lorraine, I did not know you had returned to London! You do not mind my calling you Lorraine, do you? Please, you must call me Emmaline or even Em as my family do. We are, after all, family, are we not?”
The young woman pulled back and smiled at her. How had she not seen it immediately. She was like a female image of her brother, jet-black luxurious locks, dark eyes, flawless skin. Her only inconsistency was her petite frame compared to his own broad and muscular one, a physique he had earned in the boxing ring during the day at the club—and at night in their bed—one he insisted upon to keep himself in top devil form.
“Oh, yes please, you must,” Lorraine insisted, gripping hold Emmaline’s hands and squeezing in a most familiar manner. “Please, forgive my dropping in on you like this. I had hoped that Alex would be home so that I might surprise him also. As soon as I received his letter with the wonderful news of your marriage, I knew I simply had to return home to meet you!”
A little panicked by the idea of Alex's being unaware that his sister had traveled such a distance and turned up unannounced, Emmaline looked instinctively to Benedict.
The man, looking just as she felt, dipped his head and said, “I shall fetch you both tea.”
When he rose, the look he offered her over Lorraine’s shoulder also suggested a silent,and I shall send word to his grace.
“Thank you, Benedict,” Emmaline said. “Please ensure a cup for my sister also. I am sure she shall be here before long.”
Again, he dipped his head and hurried off to do her bidding.
“Please, shall we go to the drawing room and sit?” Emmaline suggested, “You must be weary from traveling.”
How a woman could look quite so flawless, even in the latest French fashion, after having traveled all the way from where her gown was made, baffled Emmaline.
“Thank you,” Lorraine said as they walked through the house to the drawing room. And as Emmaline insisted she take a seat, she added, “I do hope I have not caught you at a bad time. Were you expecting guests?”
“Only my sister,” Emmaline said, taking to the seat next to Lorraine on the couch. “I am sure she shall be as glad as I am for you to join us.”
In truth, Emmaline was glad. Lorraine's presence might well help her to get to know her husband further. There was obviously still a great deal for her to learn. But she was also nervous and apprehensive. After all, she had very little knowledge of how her husband might react when he learned of her presence in London. From the little she did know of him, she was well aware he was not the kind of man to look upon surprises as anything more than a distraction.
“I do wish you had sent word,” she said, placing her hands on her lap, hoping her sister-in-law would not see how they trembled. “Alex would have been so pleased to welcome you home.”
Wouldn't he?She second guessed herself. Had Lorraine turned up like this because had he known he might have tried to prevent it? Her throat constricted at the uncertainty of the matter.
“Emmaline, I do believe we both know my brother waits around for nobody,” Lorraine said, chuckling a little. “He has always been a law unto himself.”
Emmaline felt a little relief. She did know that about him. And at least, Lorraine seemed quite pleasant.
She was even more relieved when at that moment Benedict returned with not only tea and a deck of cards but also her sister, Jane, who swept into the room in much the same manner as Lorraine had to greet her with a hug.
“Oh, Emmaline, how I have missed you!” she exclaimed, squeezing her tightly. She pulled back to look her up and down. “You are well, are you not?”
Emmaline bit her lip, trying not to laugh. Jane looked at her in much the same way as everyone else, as if they might one day be the first to receive news that she was carrying the duke's heir. And after all Emmaline had whispered to her about during their weekly card games, she could hardly blame her.
“Yes, I am well,” Emmaline said, smiling. Then she scowled and added, “And no, I am not yet with child.”
