“I was certainly not expecting that,” he chuckled.
“Forgive my sisters. Poppy is an excitable girl, and with it being her first year in society she is happier than ever about her prospects. As for Emily, I… I do not know what has gotten into her. She is never like that.”
“I can imagine. Do not worry, though, for I do not mind it. In fact, I appreciate a young lady that is unafraid to make her feelings known. I thought it was a trait she shared with you and nothing more.”
“Do you think I speak to gentlemen like that?”
“No, but you certainly think it, and I see no harm in that. In all honesty, I was afraid that your family might be intimidated, and I am pleased that she felt at ease enough to tell me precisely what she thought. I do not think anything else.”
“Do you promise?”
“I do. I am many things, Lady Margaret, but I am not a liar.”
“No,” she giggled, “but you are a painter and a violinist and an avid fan of the theater. You fell for my sister’s charms very easily, there.”
“I did,” he chuckled. “She is most endearing. I did not plan to tell you all of my hatred for the color orange, but now you all know, I suppose.”
“I shall not wear it in your presence. I suppose that is why my mother thought you might wish to court them instead of me, for they are these bright and funny girls and I am… I am Margaret.”
“I do not see anything wrong with you being Margaret. They clearly think the world of you, too.”
She liked that other people saw it too.
Suddenly, the door flew open to reveal a furious Emily. She entered with a swish of her skirts and stood beside them with her arms folded. Margaret gestured for her to leave, but her sister did not once look at her.
“I require a word with the Duke,” she said firmly. “Alone.”
“Emily, I–”
“Chaperoned.”
Margaret exchanged a glance with the Duke, who was clearly rather amused by it all. She wondered if he had known young ladies like her before, and that was why he did not take it as most gentlemen would have.
“Very well,” he agreed, turning to Margaret. “I shall join you and your family shortly.”
Margaret agreed and turned to go, but she quickly took Emily’s arm as she went.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I will tell you later.”
And so she left, wondering what on earth had happened to the young lady that had been so pleased for her.
CHAPTER 9
Frankly, Nathaniel was utterly amused by the furious young lady that had cornered him.
She was quite the opposite of what he had expected, and he reminded her so much of his own sister that he wished he could say as much without them asking after her.
“I know what you are doing,” she said, furious.
“I am courting your sister. I do not believe that is a crime, Miss.”
“But you know what you are doing! I am not like those other young ladies that do not know anything. I know what gentlemen like to do with unchaperoned young ladies.”
“Do you? Pray tell, what might that be?”
Had he thought for even a moment she knew, he would not have said something so inappropriate, but one look at the girl was all he needed to know she was bluffing. In an instant, she flushed pink.
