Page 52 of A Game of Hearts

“Indeed, they do.” His expression grew serious. “Which is why I think that I shall write to your father today. With your permission?”

“Yes.” The word emerged soft but certain. “Though I wonder what the ton will make of it, after everything?”

“Let them make of it what they will.” His voice held new confidence. “True worth shows itself over time. I intend to take all the time necessary to prove mine.”

As they returned to the house, Emma was aware of the subtle shift in how others regarded them. Their proper, chaperoned walk had not gone unnoticed - nor had the new certainty in Nathaniel’s bearing.

Lady Beatrice squeezed her arm as they removed their pelisses.

“You look remarkably well, dear friend. The air has brought such colour to your cheeks.”

“The air?” Emma’s lips curved. “Not the company?”

“Both, perhaps.” Her friend’s eyes sparkled. “Though I noticed Lord Limnwood went directly to the library with quite a determined expression. Would that have anything to do with your happy look?”

“He means to write to Papa.” Emma kept her voice low, though her joy was difficult to contain. “To request permission to call on me in town.”

“How perfectly proper.” Lady Beatrice’s smile widened. “And how perfectly romantic, in its way. To think that Lord Limnwood, who once seemed all rigid rules, now shows such beautiful attention to proper forms out of real feeling rather than mere duty.”

“It is rather wonderful, isn’t it?”

Emma watched as Nathaniel emerged from the library, clearly having already dispatched his letter. Their eyes met across the hall, and that familiar spark passed between them. The Duke’s voice carried from the drawing room.

“Shall we have some music before dinner? I believe that Miss Everton’s skill at the pianoforte has been much praised.”

As Emma moved to take her place at the instrument, she felt Nathaniel’s presence nearby - close enough to turn her pages, far enough to maintain propriety. The whole room seemed to hold its breath, watching this tableau of perfect behaviour born of genuine feeling.

She began to play, her fingers finding the keys without conscious thought. The piece was one she had played a hundred times, yet never had it felt so meaningful - like her heart speaking through the music the words that her lips could not yet say.

And Nathaniel, standing beside her with such careful attention, seemed to hear every word that her heart was speaking.

Chapter Fourteen

The night before the Masquerade Ball found Emma in an unusual state of anticipation. She stood still as Susan arranged her hair for dinner, watching her maid’s careful movements in the mirror without really seeing them. Tomorrow’s Ball would mark the end of the house party - an event that had begun with such trepidation and led to such unexpected developments.

“The blue silk for tomorrow, miss?” Susan held up the gown. “Or perhaps the new silver one?”

“The silver, I think.” Emma touched the fabric thoughtfully. “Though we’ll need to adjust the trim. It’s a masquerade - everything should have a touch of mystery.”

“Like the mask Lord Limnwood was working on this afternoon?” Susan’s eyes sparkled with barely suppressed excitement. “Cook’s assistant said he spent hours in the stillroom with the housekeeper, getting the silver paint exactly right.”

Emma’s heart warmed at this evidence of Nathaniel’s dedication to the preparations. He had thrown himself into the mask-making activity with the same focused attention that he gave to everything which mattered to him. That he counted this among such things spoke volumes.

A tap at the door preceded Lady Beatrice’s entrance.

“Oh good, you’re nearly ready. I simply had to come to tell you - Lord James just told me the most interesting thing about tomorrow night’s arrangements.”

“Did he indeed?”

Emma smiled at her friend’s obvious excitement.

“It seems that certain gentlemen have been practicing their dancing rather religiously, even though they already dance with exquisite skill.” Lady Beatrice settled onto the bed, clearly prepared to share every detail. “The Duke’s dancing master was quite impressed by their dedication.”

Emma’s fingers stilled on her pearl necklace.

“Certain gentlemen?”

“Mm-hmm. Particularly ones who wish to make a perfect showing at their first public ball since... recent developments.”