“I am still considering it.” Olivia took a moment to look at each lady before moving closer to her husband. “Lady Juliet had an idea, a rather good one, I think.”
Emma blanched as Lady Catherine’s smile slipped away like ash on the wind. How could the duke entertain this nonsense for even a second? Emma turned her incredulous eyes on him.
Juliet beamed as she stood. “I suggested we dress like the villagers to blend in.”
“A good idea, indeed,” the duke said.
Emma’s pulse speed. How could the man possibly agree with such a scheme? She could not allow for this. Emma cleared her throat, bringing their attention to her. “What if the villagers found us out?” She asked, hoping to be the voice of reason.
“They won’t,” Lady Elizabeth said, as though they’d already determined to see the plan through.
“You could be discovered,” Lady Catherine added.
Lady Louisa put her hands on her hips and glared at her sister, “Nobody knows us here, Cat. You’re just trying to ruin everyone’s fun.”
“There now, that’s enough,” the duke gently chastised Lady Louisa as he pulled her close. “There is no reason to be cross with Cat. She only has your best interest at heart.”
Lady Louisa stared up at her brother and said, “But surely you can see she is misguided. No harm will come from us having a spot of fun.”
“Of course not,” Juliet said, then twirled, sending her skirts out around her. “May Day is a time of celebration. No one will care to see through our disguises so long as we do nothing that forces them to.”
“Lady Juliet is right, and so I will allow this under two conditions.” The duke said, staring first at Lady Louisa, then at the rest of them.
“What is it?” Lady Louisa urged him to continue.
The duke held up one finger. “First, I will accompany you.”
“Yes, and.” Lady Louisa nodded her agreement, excitement radiating from her.
“The suspense is killing me,” Lady Catherine drawled. “Please go on.”
Lady Elizabeth poked her elbow into Lady Catherine’s side. “Do, hush.”
His grace gave his sisters a stern glance. “Second,” he held up another finger, “None of you will stray from my line of vision.”
Lady Louisa nodded her agreement, a bright smile lighting her green eyes. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Lady Elizabeth, Olivia, and Juliet soon followed suit, vowing to follow his rules.
“Catherine?” The duke turned to his more reserved sister.
She sighed. “If I must go, I assure you I will cause no trouble.”
“Good.” He gave a firm nod. “Be ready in an hour.”
Olivia pivoted back toward the room at large, then said, “Wear your plainest gown and have your hair plaited or gathered at the nape of your neck. No need for ornamentation or curls. Emma and Juliet, come with me. You can barrow gowns from me, and my maid will fix your hair.”
Juliet grabbed Emma’s hand and tugged. “Come along. We’ve no time to waste.”
Emma pressed her lips together in a tight line as Juliet dragged her from the parlor. Everything in her told her to refuse and stay home. Her heart squeezed.
She did not want to be the only one left behind. Nor did she want to disappoint her friends and waste precious time with Olivia in the process.
And so Emma resolved to accompany them. As Juliet led her from the parlor, Emma lifted a silent prayer that she would not come to regret her decision.
Chapter 2
Archer Wakefield, Viscount Linley, straightened his poorly tailored jacket as he rounded the bend into the village square. Exhilaration added a bounce to his step, and he smiled with mischief. There was something about subterfuge and May Day that gladdened his soul.
