He shook his head slowly. “It’s a funny thing. Here I am trying to avoid a marriage trap and you wish to land in one.”
“Yes,” she said, then covered her face. “God, I feel like such a fool.”
“Why?” he said with a laugh.
She lowered her hands and glared at him. “Really? You ask that question of me?”
His joviality faded at her pointed question. “I’m sorry if I was glib,” he said, true chagrin on his face. “You helped my sister, helped me. Is there some way I can help you?”
“Pretend to court me in order to make me attractive to some other man?” she said, then shook her head with a laugh. “No, my lord. There isnothingyou can do, though I do thank you for your concern.”
His brow wrinkled, and for a moment she thought he might say something. But then Meg’s voice came drifting over the garden. “James, I was going to show her the fountain!”
James took a long step back from her, and Emma found herself a little colder now that he was gone. Whatever seriousness had been on his face faded, and he turned to his sister with a bright grin. “Well, I beat you to it.”
Meg swatted his arm playfully. “You never allow me any boon.”
“I’m sorry, Meg,” he said. “I shall leave you to your friend.” He turned back to Emma with a nod. “Miss Liston, it was a great pleasure.”
There was sincerity to his tone and to his expression as he nodded at her. Emma gulped hard and said, “Thank you for your company, Your Grace. Good day.”
“Good day,” he repeated, then strode off toward the house. Leaving Emma with Meg.
Leaving Emma with a sense of discomfort and a mind full of questions.
Chapter Five
James stared at his plate, but he was entirely distracted. Since he’d last encountered Emma Liston a few days before, he had relived their conversation in the garden over and over. Not only had he revealed so much about himself, for he hardly ever discussed his band of tight friends with anyone, let alone a stranger…but he had found himself engaged by her.
She was not like anyone he’d ever met before. Where most ladies in his circle focused on how to best present themselves, Emma had a refreshing honesty that drew him in.
He shook his head, pushing thoughts of her away as he looked at his companions. He was sharing supper with Meg and Graham, but neither was talking. Meg pushed her food around her plate with the tines of her fork and Graham was silent.
James cleared his throat. “We are a thrilling group, aren’t we?”
Graham grinned at him and Meg straightened up. “We all have something on our minds, it seems,” she said, shooting a quick glance at Graham. He didn’t return it.
“I know what you two must be thinking of,” James said. “Wedohave a wedding to plan.”
To his surprise, Meg stiffened a little at the mention of her upcoming nuptials. He frowned. James wasn’t certain what was going on with his sister. She’d become increasingly odd as of late. Most women would have been giddy to plan a huge Society wedding to a rich, powerful duke who had been a friend for years. Meg seemed entirely disinterested.
He could only hope that once she and Graham were married, she would calm down a little. Her troubles would fade when she was settled.
“I was actually thinking more about the country party next week,” Meg said. “I realize it’s already a full house, but I was considering inviting Emma Liston and her mother to fill out the group.”
“Emma?” he repeated, all the thoughts he’d been trying to stifle returning.
She nodded. “We had a wonderful time a few days ago. I do like her, James. And I think we could be of help to her, as well.”
James’s errant mind took him back, once again to their conversation in the garden a few days before. Emma had so much tension on her face when she spoke of needing to wed, of the complications of that drive.
“James?” Meg asked, intruding into his thoughts.
“Very well,” he said with a shake of his head. “I see no reason why not. We have the room.”
She smiled and rose, forcing Graham and him to do the same. “Excellent. While you and Graham have your port, I’ll write her an invitation. And then I’ll likely retire early.” She partially turned toward her fiancé. “Good night, Graham.”
Graham stepped toward her, but did not take her hand. He merely executed a stiff bow. “Margaret.”
