Page 44 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

Sensing her confusion, he explained, ‘It means Hart is hopeless. When a lamb—a ewie—drowns, there’s no reviving her. His army mates were also treated to pithy Scots sayings whenever Lieutenant Edmenton’s ire was aroused.’

‘You’re certainly not like any duke I’ve ever met,’ Emma announced frankly. ‘Which, by the way, is a compliment.’

Fenniston swept her a bow. ‘I accept it as such.’

‘You must behave yourself,’ the duchess chided, softening the reproof with a fond glance. ‘Don’t try to cozen her into believing you a rough Scots farmer—as he attempted to do with me when we first met!’

‘It was bad of me,’ the duke admitted. ‘But teasing my wife until those magnificent blue eyes flash—how could any man resist?’

‘I can’t but agree when the eyes are so fine,’ Charles added.

‘Enough, both of you,’ the duchess said. ‘They really can be impossible when they get together!’ she told Emma.

‘I would be pleased to meet a Scots farmer,’ Emma said, enjoying the light-hearted banter. Charles was right; his friends were easy to be with, she thought, imperceptibly relaxing. ‘I’m very fond of the country myself.’

‘Yes, Charles told us you are an enthusiast and quite expert with plants. The duchess before my sister was very fond of roses and had a number planted in the garden here. We’ll have the flambeaux lit. After dinner, you can stroll through and enjoy the few that are already blooming. I’m sure Charles—Lord Richland—would be happy to escort you.’

‘I’d be delighted,’ Charles said promptly.

‘We’ll be joined a bit later by some other army friends, including Richland’s commanding officer, Colonel Wexford, whom I believe you know?’ the duchess said.

‘Yes, he is like an uncle to me,’ Emma said, relaxing further. It seemed she really would be able to let down her guard, be herself and simply enjoy the evening.

She’d certainly enjoy a walk in the garden with Charles, anticipation stirring her senses.

‘I wanted to have you come before the other guests so we might meet, as the rest already know each other,’ the duchess explained. ‘Also so Charles and Hart—Lord Richland and the duke—would have time to chat. We’re so newly arrived and have been so busy, the two haven’t yet even managed a dinner out at their club.’

‘Richland, Fenniston, Duke,’ the duke repeated with some exasperation. ‘For pity’s sake, while it is only us together, can we not revert to being “Hart” and “Charles”? You won’t insist on being a stickler for form, will you, my dear?’

‘No, my sweet. We’re not being watched by Society here. With friends who are as close as any blood kin, you can do away with titles and use the names by which you called each other as fellow army officers. But with introductions complete, I must pay a quick visit to the nursery before dinner.’

Turning to Emma, she said, ‘Should you wish to escape listening to old army tales, you are welcome to join me, Miss Wellingford. And in the same spirit of solidarity as the gentlemen, if it does not seem too familiar, I’d prefer if we could be “Emma” and “Claire”.’

‘I would very much enjoy meeting your children and I would be honoured to call you Claire.’

‘It’s done, then. Shall we leave them to refight their battles? I know Hart is particularly interested in details of the engagements that occurred after he had to leave the army.’

Nervousness dispensed, curiosity taking its place, Emma nodded and followed her hostess. Charles had told her Claire had followed the drum; perhaps by talking with her, Emma would gain more insight into the experiences that had shaped both Claire’s husband and Charles into the men they now were.

Animated voices emanated from the nursery before they reached the door.

‘If it’s a bit tumultuous inside, I apologise,’ Claire said. ‘We’re currently housing my older son, Alex; his cousin Bella, my sister’s daughter, both now seven; Hart’s heir, Hartley junior, an almost three-year-old and our youngest, Susanna, just now walking and determined to keep up with the older ones. The mix can be—chaotic.’

‘I’m unlikely to be overwhelmed,’ Emma said with a smile. ‘I’m the middle child of seven. My mother was a virtual invalid after the birth of the youngest, so I helped my older sisters raise the younger ones. I’m quite accustomed to chaos.’

As they entered, the two older children were seated on the window seat, books in hand, while the toddler was stacking blocks, which his baby sister tried immediately, with limited success, to knock over.

Hartley’s wail of protest ended abruptly when he spotted his mother. He ran over to receive the embrace she knelt to give him, the baby rising on uncertain legs to stagger over while the two older children rushed to hug Claire’s shoulders, one on each side.

‘Mama! I didn’t think we’d get to see you!’ Alex said. ‘Nurse told us you had an important dinner tonight.’

‘I do, and I’ve brought the most important guest to meet you. Emma, may I present my son Alexander, my niece Arabella, our son Hartley and our daughter, Susanna. Children, Miss Wellingford is a good friend of Papa’s friend, Uncle Charles.’

The two oldest children made a proper bow and curtsey, while the little boy managed a clumsy approximation and the youngest just stared with innocent curiosity. ‘Honoured to meet you, Miss Wellingford,’ the older ones chorused.

‘Delighted to meet you, too, children,’ Emma said.

‘We had such a long journey, cooped up in the coach,’ Alex said. ‘We begged nurse to go to the stables and ask Frederick to let us take our ponies to the park.’