Page 41 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

‘That would be luck indeed.’

Would he…or had he? Could the special bond between them deepen and develop into something as exceptional as the love his friends had found? How marvellously tantalising a prospect!

Pulling his thoughts back to the present, he continued, ‘I’ll enlist Hart’s advice about my introduction to Parliament. Englemere wrote that he’s arranged for a friend of my father’s to present me. He also assured me he’ll continue his support, but quietly behind the scenes, not openly until that no longer poses a problem with the Strattons.’

‘You truly are soon to be swept into your title, which will bring you an even larger social acquaintance.’

He grimaced. ‘And more unwanted attention. Fortunately, Hart wrote, informing me that he and his lady will be in London imminently. He pledged to host a dinner as soon as they are settled, so they might meet you. I want you to meet them—and the children; Hart’s son and heir just turned two years old.’

‘They are not leaving so young a child at home with his nurse? How unusual! Most political wives either remain in the country with their offspring or leave them there to be tended.’

‘Hart and his lady prize their family; they would not leave the children behind.’

‘She must be a formidable woman to brave coming to London and taking on all the duties of a duke’s wife with young children to oversee.’

‘She’s a lady of vast skill, according to Hart. Before he arrived to assume the dukedom, she’d been overseeing the ducal estate, tending her own young son, caring for her widowed sister, who was nearly an invalid after suffering several miscarriages and watching over her sister’s little daughter, too.’

‘I’m intimidated already.’

‘You shouldn’t be. If Hart loves her, she will be down to earth and approachable. She’d have to be—her first husband was a soldier. She followed the drum and bore him a son in Portugal before he was killed in battle.’

‘Formidable indeed! After that, the rigours of the London social Season should hold no terrors for her.’

‘None. Her father is secretary to a cabinet minister, so she has experience associating with the highborn.’

‘Then I’m still intimidated!’ she said with a chuckle. ‘Now, much as I hate to leave the roses, we should go, if we want to stroll the length of the Long Walk.’

‘Lead on, my lady.’

She guided him back to central allée. ‘I must enjoy spending what time I can with you as you’ll soon be overwhelmed with activities. And how good it is to see you and chat without looking over our shoulders, wondering who might be watching!’

He gave an impatient wave of the hand. ‘I will do what I can to appease the Strattons, but can I not persuade you to discontinue this ridiculous public avoidance sooner rather than later?’

‘Ah, so my protector wishes to resume his role?’

‘Of guarding you from Lord Aldersby? I’ll be sharpening my sabre!’

‘It’s not just him.’ She laughed ruefully. ‘I call it the “Revenge of Beallaughs”. First Aldersby confronted me, asking how I could think of bestowing my hand elsewhere. When I asked him where he’d gotten the nodcock notion that I planned to bestow my hand on anyone, he informed me that it was being whispered about that I am now desperate to wed. Who could have started that rumour, I wonder? Not only has Aldersby stepped up his campaign, at each ball or rout I’ve attended, my hand has been solicited by every fortune hunter and heir with an estate needing an influx of cash who could wrangle an invitation. I’ve almost convinced Sarah to let me avoid such entertainments altogether.’

‘If Lady Routham is responsible for creating the harassment,’ Charles replied angrily, ‘I shall certainly confront her over it!’

‘I can’t be sure she is responsible, so do nothing yet.’

‘I’m sorry you are once again having to suffer on my behalf,’ he replied, frustration adding to anger. ‘Shall we make another pledge? After you meet my friends, we’ll pursue our friendship openly?’

‘I’m not sure that’s wise if Lady Routham is still making trouble. But I am ready to make a different pledge. Do you not think, only in private, of course, we can be simply “Emma” and “Charles”? I feel we have become close enough friends that referring to you as “Lord Richland” is ridiculously formal. If…if that is not too presumptuous?’

‘Not at all. I admit, I’ve long thought of you as “Emma”.’

‘Excellent. Then we are agreed?’

‘We are agreed… Emma,’ he said, savouring the sound on his lips. How liberating, to be able to address her by the name he’d for some time thought of her in private!

With a mischievous smile, she took his hand. But as she started to lead him from the main walk up a pathway toward one of the small temples, he stopped short, that prickly feeling at his neck again.

‘Is something wrong?’

From his vantage near the top of the small rise, he surveyed the surrounding area. Nothing but greenery and a few gardeners puttering about in the distance.