Page 48 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

“No. No, it is not. As I said, speak to her. She’ll explain better than I could. And for what it is worth, it’s the most noble enterprise, no matter how much you donate or how much time you spend. The children need more help than we know. Why, only the other day, their birthday celebrations…” she trailed off as movement caught her eye.

A tall, slim, and remarkably beautiful young woman in a riding dress was striding up the hillside towards them. Rich golden-brown hair streamed behind her, a striking counterpoint to her burgundy dress and nut-brown eyes.

Miss Emmeline Hartridge, Thalia realized with a sinking feeling in her gut. She recognized her, but they had never been introduced before.

Emmeline was one of the richest heiresses in London and one of the most scandalous. If she wasn’t a member of such an old and respected family, she might well have been cast out by now.

In short, she was a tremendously beautiful, wealthy, and interesting woman.

Somehow, I don’t think that it’s me she’s coming to see.

“Your Grace!” Emmeline called, her rich voice shimmering up over the hillside. She always sounded on the brink of laughter. “What a surprise to see you here at this hour.”

Christian blinked down at her. “Miss Hartridge,” he greeted. “What a surprise, indeed.”

He didn’t sound particularly welcoming, but that didn’t seem to deter her. She reached the top of the hill and cast her gaze over the scene. Her expression did not change when she glanced over Mabel and the children, but there was a distinct wrinkle in her nose when she met Thalia’s eyes. At once, she turned away.

Naturally, since they hadn’t been introduced, Emmeline was well within her rights to pretend that Thalia did not exist. She faced Christian, neatly turning her slender, burgundy-silk-clad back on Thalia.

“I did not see you at Mrs. Rutherford’s last night,” she murmured, her voice low and intimate. “It isn’t like you to miss a party at Rosings.”

“I am sorry that you missed me.”

“Well, you must have an explanation,” Emmeline continued, fluttering her eyelashes. At least, she sounded as though she were fluttering her eyelashes. “Come, Your Grace, have you no excuse for me? It isn’t proper to upset a lady.”

That is quite enough. I won’t be made to feel small and in the way at my own picnic, Thalia thought with a rush of annoyance.

She pointedly stepped around Emmeline, coming to stand beside Christian. Keeping a polite smile, she glanced between the two of them, eyebrows raised.

Introduce me, her expression hopefully demanded.

Christian cleared his throat. “Miss Hartridge, may I introduce Lady Thalia Hamilton. Lady Thalia, this is Miss Emmeline Hartridge.”

Emmeline all but scowled. Now that they were introduced, it would be much harder for her to ignore Thalia.

“Charmed,” she said crisply.

Liar, Thalia wanted to say.

“We’re having a picnic, Miss Hartridge,” she said, as pleasantly as she could. “Why don’t you join us?”

Emmeline cast a disgusted look at the food spread out on the picnic blanket. Admittedly, there was not much left, only crumbs. Mabel had begun to put away the plates, and soon enough, it would be time to go back to the orphanage. The children sat on the ground, staring up at Emmeline with wide eyes.

Sophia’s gaze lingered on Emmeline’s dress particularly. At first glance, the gown seemed plain, but closer inspection revealed red beads cunningly sewn into a thick line around the hem and at the bodice, making the dress glitter in the light.

Almost as if drawn by magnetism, Sophia leaned forward, hands outstretched to touch the heavy silk. Her fingers had barely made contact before Emmeline whisked her skirts away and rounded on the girl with a glare.

“Good heavens!” she snapped. “Weren’t you taught not to touch what isn’t yours? This dress costs more than you’ll ever earn in your life, girl, and you had better pray that your grubby fingers have not left a mark.”

Tears welled up in Sophia’s eyes, and she recoiled. Alex threw his arms around her at once, while Nicholas slid protectively between her and Emmeline.

“I… I am sorry…” she stammered.

“It was an accident,” Thalia heard herself say.

Emmeline did not seem to hear her and continued glaring at the girl.

“Who on earth is this child?” she asked no one in particular.