She’d never been overly concerned about her appearance. Pretty is as pretty does, after all. Yet now she marveled at her reflection, the way the necklace imbued her with glowing vitality. She didn’t recognize the bright-eyed woman with skin as lustrous as the pearls and lips as vividly blushing as the rare diamond. The choker seemed to lengthen her neck, inject her carriage with grace. She didn’t look like the country spinster she was.
It’s perfect for you, Alaric had said.
Could it be that he saw her this way—as this exotic, bold, confident creature?
“Emma, may we come in?”
Her sisters’ voices broke her reverie. When she let them in, Thea’s hazel eyes widened. “The necklace looks beautiful on you, Emma.”
“That diamond is as big as the egg I had for breakfast,” Violet declared.
Touching Alaric’s gift, Emma felt her cheeks warm. “Is it too much?”
“You’re glowing,” Polly said simply.
“Thank you, dear.” Emma smiled. “Help me dress, will you?”
Closing the door behind them, her sisters clustered around her at the looking glass. With an efficiency borne of practice—growing up without the benefit of maids, they’d always dressed one another—the girls set to work. Vi helped her pull on her unmentionables, Thea worked on the corset strings, and Polly crouched to adjust the skirts of her petticoats.
“Just like the old days,” Vi said.
“Do you think about Chudleigh Crest?” Emma said.
“I do. On the count of three now.” Thea’s deft tug on the laces whooshed the air from Emma’s lungs. “As exciting as London is, I sometimes miss the simplicity of country life.”
“Not me. London is the tops,” Vi decreed. “One never knows what will happen next.”
“Are you going to marry the duke, Emma?” Polly blurted.
In the reflection, Emma saw her sisters grow still, their faces bright with curiosity.
Meeting Polly’s aquamarine eyes, she said, “Would you mind if I did?”
“No,” Polly said. “I like him.”
Her youngest sister’s approval buttressed Emma’s own feelings. If there was anyone whom she trusted as a judge of character, it was her baby sister. Gifted with an intuitive nature, Polly was wise beyond her tender years.
“The question is whether or notyoulike the duke, Emma,” Thea said gently.
“I do.” It was a relief to admit the truth. “He can be stubborn and overbearing, and healwaysthinks he’s right. Yet beneath it all he has a good heart.”
“Sounds like someone I know,” Vi said, grinning.
“Who?” Emma said.
Her sisters looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Emma rolled her eyes. “That’s different. You lot required a firm hand. Ihadto be managing to keep you in line.”
“We know that, dear.” Thea’s eyes sparkled. “But let’s face it, you’re no wilting violet. You need someone with a will to match yours—and his grace certainly fits the bill.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean the duke and I are destined to a lifetime of locking horns.”
“Father always said love involved compromise,” Thea said.
“Well, Strathaven and Iarelearning to negotiate and work together,” Emma mused, “and he even supports my assisting in his case.”
“I think it’s smashing that you’re working with Ambrose. I wish he’d let me help, too,” Violet said.
