Page 51 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

‘Don’t worry. Hart and I will both be on the alert.’

‘Ready for battle.’

‘Always.’

Their stroll truly ruined, Charles escorted Emma back to the house, sorry that she remained obviously troubled and furious that Lady Routham’s arrival brought a premature end to what had been a few days of purest pleasure. His stepsister had better behave herself, for he was in no mood to humour her.

If she attacked Emma again, he was ready to initiate a rupture in the family himself.

Chapter Sixteen

Exasperation and unease filled Emma as she prepared for dinner. It was both dismaying and infuriating that, having for some weeks sacrificed normal social interactions with Richland in order to avoid any confrontation that might delay his acceptance by the Strattons, Lady Routham’s unexpected appearance might bring all that caution to naught. There was nothing she could do now but dress her best, proceed to dinner—and hope Lady Routham was not minded to throw down the gauntlet.

She wouldn’t have to defend herself if there were an unpleasant exchange—Richland had made it quite plain that he was more than ready to take on his half-sister. But she couldn’t escape the fact that her presence there would be the cause of it.

Perhaps it would be better if she went down to the drawing room early, to confront whatever Lady Routham might devise before Richland arrived, hopefully sparing him from or at least blunting his stepsister’s wrath.

Resolved to put the matter to the test soonest, as soon as her maid put the finishing touches on her coiffure, she proceeded to the drawing room.

Pausing on the threshold, she noted that her hostess and a small group of ladies were already present. Her nerves sparked an alert when she saw Lady Routham in the group beside the sofa.

Looking over as Emma entered, the smile that sprang to the lady’s lips was so sly, almost triumphant, that Emma’s disquiet vanished, a smouldering anger of her own taking its place. If the woman expected her to appear intimidated or apologetic, she was in for disappointment.

Rather than look away or cross to where another knot of ladies had gathered, she made straight for her hostess and offered a curtsey.

‘Good evening, Miss Wellingford! I hope you enjoyed your ride and garden walk this afternoon,’ Lady Telford said.

‘The garden is always a joy to explore,’ Emma said evenly, her attention on her hostess, though she was acutely conscious of Lady Routham’s gaze fixed on her.

‘I’m pleased to introduce you to a newly arrived friend who will help grace our ball tomorrow,’ her hostess said, gesturing toward Lady Routham.

By the innocent smile on Lady Telford’s face, she obviously had no inkling that any unpleasantness had passed between them. Struck again by Lady Telford’s sweetness, Emma thought she might have to drag Lady Routham out to the terrace and practice on her some of the fisticuffs learned from her brother if she did anything to upset their gentle hostess.

Before Emma could reply, Lady Routham gave a trill of laughter. ‘Oh, no need to introduce me! Miss Wellingford and I are old acquaintances.’

‘Indeed,’ Emma said drily. ‘I hope your trip from town was pleasant.’

‘Quite. But nothing so exciting as the news Mrs Jeffries has been relating to me! I hear you’ve been creating quite an impression on our handsome new marquess.’

Emma merely inclined head. ‘Lord Richland and I are old friends, as you are already aware.’

‘Oh, but much closer friends than I had imagined! Tête-à-têtes over breakfast, afternoon rides, partnering at cards after dinner—why, I understand you are hardly ever out of each other’s company.’

‘They have enjoyed being together,’ Lady Telford confirmed, smiling her approval. ‘The marquess is such a favourite with my brother-in-law the duke, himself an army man who unexpectedly inherited, so he quite understands how difficult the transition can be. Fenniston and my sister are so pleased Lord Richland and Miss Wellingford became acquainted before his change in station. He knows she is someone with whom he can be easy, as she appreciates him for himself, not his title. A fact with which I can also sympathise.’

‘Lady Telford, you would be cherished for your kindness and sweet nature whether you were a duchess, a baroness or a housemaid,’ Emma said. ‘No one who knows you would ever want to do anything to cause you a moment’s distress.’

And let that be a warning, Emma thought, giving Lady Routham a smile as sweetly false as her own.

‘Distressing a good friend—or worse, a member of one’s family—cannot but be condemned by every person of breeding,’ Lady Routham said.

‘Indeed,’ Emma said icily. ‘One can only hope that no such distress occurs during the ball.’

Her expression puzzled now, Lady Telford looked from Emma to her adversary, as if sensing the darker currents beneath the surface politeness of the conversation.

Before either could say anything else, a group of the gentlemen strolled in. Emma felt a tingle ripple over her skin, alerting her to Charles’s presence even before she saw him walking beside Hart. Taking in the assorted company with a swift glance, he and the duke immediately strode over.

Lady Routham saw him, too, and turned as the men approached. ‘Ah, here is my kinsman! My dear half-brother,’ she trilled, offering him her hand to kiss. ‘Mrs Jeffries has been telling me all about your activities during the house party. How surprised I was to learn how you’d been enjoying yourself—in such company.’