Page 36 of A Game of Hearts

Emma felt her cheeks warm.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“Of course not.” Lady Beatrice laughed. “Just as I’m sure Lord Limnwood chose to wear that blue coat today purely by chance, and not because you mentioned yesterday that it was your favourite colour.”

Conscious that her blush was deepening, Emma rose.

“If you’ll excuse me, I believe I need to visit the retiring room before the tableaux begin.”

In the hallway, she paused to collect herself, pressing her cool hands to her warm cheeks. How was she to maintain proper composure when every glance from Lord Limnwood set her heart racing?

“Miss Everton?”

She turned to find a footman holding a silver salver.

“A note for you, Miss. From Lady Beatrice.”

Puzzled - hadn’t she just left Beatrice in the drawing room? - Emma opened the message.

My dear friend,

I require your assistance with a matter of some delicacy. Please meet me in the library at three o’clock. I dare not say more here.

Your devoted friend,

Beatrice

The handwriting looked somewhat odd, but Emma supposed her friend might have written in haste. She tucked the note away, wondering what could be so urgent.

When she returned to the drawing room, the Duke was calling for attention.

“Now then! We shall have a brief interval while the tableaux are arranged. Players, please consult your assignments and prepare accordingly.”

Emma glanced at the clock. A quarter before three. She would have just enough time to assist Beatrice before the tableaux began. As she moved towards the door, she noticed another footman delivering a note to Lord James.

Near the fireplace, Lady Anne watched events unfold with a smile of deep satisfaction.

*****

The library stood quiet and cool, sunlight slanting through tall windows to illuminate dancing dust motes. Emma hesitated in the doorway, surprised to find Lord James rather than Lady Beatrice waiting there.

“Miss Everton?” He looked equally startled. “I had expected to find my brother - he sent a note asking me to discuss estate matters.”

“How strange.” Emma moved into the room, maintaining proper distance. “I received a note from Lady Beatrice requesting my presence here.”

James’ brow furrowed. He glanced toward the depths of the library, making an odd gesture that Emma didn’t quite understand.

“Did you indeed? Most peculiar.”

“Perhaps there has been some confusion about timing?”

Emma looked around, but saw no sign of either Beatrice or Lord Limnwood. The library seemed deserted except for themselves.

“Miss Everton...” James’ voice held an odd note of warning. “I believe that we should -”

Before he could finish, voices approached in the hallway. Emma recognised Lady Anne’s carrying tones.

“But surely you saw them, my Lord? Both going towards the library, quite alone...”