Emily hadn’t really thought about this. “He’s awfully sore with the duke. And he has no other redress. I don’t think he’ll renege, but it’s not something you want to risk, is it?”
Rhoda had begun unhooking the back of Emily’s dress. “Lift your hair,” she ordered. “Have you forgotten our deal, Em? I won’t leave with Blakely until you’ve secured an offer from either the lieutenant or Carlisle.”
Emilyhad notforgotten. She only wished Rhoda had. “Very well. But how?” She probably should not have asked because Rhoda most certainly would have some outrageous notion.
Only… She could not live out the remainder of her life in Wales! She did not wish to be an elderly woman’s companion, forgotten by the rest of the world while she grew old and gnarly. Circumstances called for drastic measures. The remainder of her life was at stake here.
“You’ve not the patience to play courtship games. I think your best chance is to allow yourself to be ‘caught’ in a compromising situation.” She’d loosened the dress now and lifted it over Emily’s head. “And I really think it ought to be Lord Carlisle.”
Emily raised her fingers to search for the pins holding her hair in place as she contemplated the earl. “Why him? Have you heard something untoward about the lieutenant?”
Rhoda sighed loudly. “No, it’s just that… I know he comes highly recommended by Prescott, but I know nothing else about him, whereas…”
“Whereas?” Emily prodded.
“If you remember correctly, Carlisle was present when Harold fell off the cliff.”
“Yes?”
“And those were the direst of circumstances, were they not?”
“Of course.”
“Upon reflecting on that day, I can’t help but admire how he handled matters. He remained considerate throughout. He showed bravery and kindness. He never shouted or panicked. I know of no person of greater character for you.”
“He is indeed a man of great character,” Emily responded dully. What if she did notwanta man of great character? A ridiculous thought. Of course, she wished to marry a man whom she could trust, one who would put her safety and comfort above all else. It was just that…
“Carlisle is not as slippery as Blakely has been when it comes to eluding compromising situations. Trapping him ought to be easy enough. We’ll go for a hike tomorrow, a short one so that my mother and the girls can come. You’ll need to separate yourself off alone with him. Manipulate a situation so that you appear compromised. I’ll follow closely with Mother and try to ensure that Mother and I interrupt. She, of course, will insist upon an announcement, and the earl being, well,Lord Carlisle,I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
How on earth did one manipulate a situation so that she’d appear compromised? Rhoda made it sound so easy. Did she expect Emily to unfasten her clothing and tug down her bodice, pull the pins from her hair and then let out a scream? And what did the gentleman do while she performed these various tasks?
“Of course, Lord Carlisle will do the right thing,” Rhoda stated.
“Of course.” She supposed Rhoda was correct. Emily would simply have to figure the details out on her own. But for now… “And you promise? Once I’m betrothed, you’ll go away with Blakely?”
Rhoda sighed. “Very well.” Her lack of conviction echoed Emily’s own enthusiasm.
When Emily finally closed the door behind Rhoda, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She could finally analyze the startling memory of what had happened while everyone else had been blindfolded.
Marcus Roberts, the Earl of Blakely, had kissedher, Emily Goodnight.
He’d not kissed her on the cheek or on the forehead. He’d pressed his lips against hers and then he’d… She could hardly bring herself to think the word in her head. He’d put his tongue inside of her mouth.
And she’d not been appalled.No.
She’d been enthralled!
As he’d run it along her teeth and then the roof of her mouth, she’d wanted nothing more than for it to go on forever.
Not at all what she’d expected a kiss to be like. She’d expected it to be dry, cold, and awkward. And it had been the opposite! Moist, warm, and absolutely divine!
Why would he do such a thing? Did rakes simply kiss whomever they pleased? When removed from the numerous women in London, who bent over for them, quite literally, did they simply move on to other less-available types of ladies?
Because while in London, he’d never shown even the slightest inclination toward her.
And then she remembered that he’d also kissed Rhoda. Likely, if given the opportunity, he would have kissed Sophia and… and… Coleus!
