by Hannah West
She did not care that he was a duke, one of the most powerful men in the country, or that he had deep pockets. That alone was rare and he was glad someone other than his sister saw him in that light.
“Ugh,” he groaned as a pounding started between his eyes.
Best leave that train of thought alone. He was bound to do his duty, but that did not mean that he could not enjoy her company and drown in his own lust.
If only his sister knew what he had turned into the past month, she would not call him a bore now.
Chapter Fourteen
How to Become a Lady ~ Rule Fourteen: A lady should wear a corset under her dress.
Once tucked away in the plush leather of the carriage Emma sighed with relief. Her feet were already protesting their abuse from tonight from not getting a break.
The Duke of Montrose had been right, after her dance with him many men came to claim other dances until her card was full and she had to turn men away with promises of other dances at other events.
Cassie entered the carriage and sat across from her sister, giving Emma a wide smile.
“You had a good evening I take it,” Cassie stated, “and you made quite the stir dancing your first dance with the Duke of Montrose, not once, but twice! You will be the crush of the Season, I swear!”
While her sister giggled in pleasure and perhaps one to many drinks, John enter the carriage sitting next to his wife, giving the directions to take them home.
John gave her a quizzing look. “Did you truly enjoy your first ball?”
Emma nodded before she yawned. “Very much so, but it was quite draining. How do people go to these things every night of the week and not have to take a day off for rest?”
John laughed at that. His laugh was loud and boisterous and very unlike the straight laced man he was.
“You simply get used to it,” Cassie answered.
Emma shook her head. “I don’t think I could ever get used to it. While it was much fun, I could not see myself doing this all the time.”
“Then when you decide to marry, marry someone who prefers the country to town,” John advised.
Emma laughed, “I will keep that in mind. I just want to thank you for giving me the chance to do so. Otherwise I would be in the factories working to survive.”
He gave her a fond smile. “I am just glad Cassie has you back.”
He gave his wife a loving glance and she clasped his hand in her, holding it on her lap.
After that the carriage grew quiet for the rest of the ride home.
Emma leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the window and stared out at the moonlit streets and the flickering flames of the street lamps as they passed by.
She pondered the odd feeling the duke had made her feel and wondered why none of the others she had danced with made her feel the way.
They had been charming and most kind, but she knew they were strangers. It was not as if she personally knew Lord Montrose, the Duke of Montrose she corrected, but she trusted him. After all he had been so kind to walk her home that once even when he didn’t have to, after he could have let her go alone. He had cared enough about her getting home. That was yet another secret they shared. He would be an excellent person to have on her side as she forayed into the Season.
…
The next day Emma was up with the sun and awake before most of the servants, so she helped herself to the kitchens creating a pot of tea and sweet buns.
She sat at the large preparing table in the kitchen and ate her first steaming bite out of her sweet bun.
She closed her eyes and made a sound of pleasure. She had not made these in years since they could not afford too. But they held the best memories of her mother and sister from her childhood.
Emma had learned to make them after their mother had died to cheer Cassie up. She could still remember the tears in her sister’s eyes after she took her first bite.
About half past seven the head housekeeper and the cook came into the kitchen and were shocked to see the Viscountess’s sister sitting there drinking tea and eating a sweet bun. They were both mortified to find out she had made both herself without calling for any help.
“Oh, milady,” Cook wailed, “if you had rang for help then I would have been glad to make you something.”
Emma laughed with delight. “Come now, I would not have woken you up early just to do something I was perfectly capable of doing myself. Both of you work too hard as it is.” She waved them over. “Please join me, I made plenty.”
The cook rang her hands and Mrs. Peterson, the housekeeper, looked at her frostily.
Feeling as if she were two inches tall, Emma’s smile faded. “Please take one with you then. I meant no harm, truly, I didn’t.”
Well drat and bother, she had only wanted to do something nice, but it seemed she had mucked up again. Mrs. Peterson had been most displeased the last time she had gone out without a maid and had been returned by a duke like a wayward puppy.
Emma could tell Cook wanted to have one, but did not dare. So Emma grabbed two and offered it to them.
“I insist,” Emma said holding them out.
Slowly Cook took hers and Mrs. Peterson unbent enough to take the other. She stared at it as if it had been a dead rat.
Well to be fair they could not say no to her without fearing for their jobs. She was after all a guest here, if an odd one.
Deciding that leaving them alone would be best Emma loaded her treats on a carrying tray and to the horror of both women left with it in hand, heading for her sister’s favored drawing room.
There she sat peacefully undisturbed until her sister entered the room a quarter of an hour after ten o’clock.
“Why in heaven are you up so early?” Cassie asked covering a delicate yawn.
Her sister even yawned like a lady.
Emma raised a brow. “Early? It is closer to noon then early morning.”
“Yes, well when one stays out at balls all night, they do not wake at the crack of dawn, Emma. Most specially ladies,” Cassie countered.
“Sleeping late is not good for you,” Emma returned, offering her sister a sweet bun.
Cassie’s eyes widened and she asked, “Was this why you were up early?”
She took the offering and bit into it with relish, even cold they still tasted good.
“No, I woke up early out of habit. I used to work the open shift at the shop until I was let go.”
Cassie frowned at her. “Do not speak of such anymore. You only worked because you had no choice, but should anyone find out how you lived before you will be cut from all circles. Peers are not fond of labor or even commoners. I could not stand to see your current happiness shattered.”
“You mean to say that no lord would marry a lady who acts like a common laborer. It is unseemly is it not?”
Cassie cringed. “Just so, Emma. These people are not like us. Those nobles live in a glittering world full of fine things and no worries past being wed and having heirs.”
“But this is your world now. You are one of those peers, you live in this world,” Emma said, confused at how her sister had said those words. “Anyone who cannot see past titles and money is not worth having. You know this to be true as John loves you the way you are.”
“I was lucky John looked at me and found me, but such a thing for people like us is rare. I want to give you the chance I didn’t have. They still say things about me you know. It mattered not that I was a lord’s daughter, because I had taken to work as a governess. They still say things about how I married up into a class I was not born into, like it was a great crime. Even though I was born to the peerage, like you, even if it was in name only.” Cassie closed her eyes to hide the pain that clouded them. “They also say the least I could have done was give John an heir since he married me and saved me from a life of poverty.”
“Be strong Cassie, what they think is of no importance, but now I see why you toe the line such as you do. I promise, just for you,
I will speak of it no more. I thought you had the perfect life here, but nothing is a perfect as it seems. Is it?”
“No, my dear, but there are times it comes close. You have no idea how glad I am to have you back.”
And then Cassie grinned at her. “You are very lucky to have the Duke of Montrose’s interest so early in the Season. He is one of the top five catches actively looking for a wife this year. Maybe you shall be the lucky one he courts.”
“Hardly that,” Emma said grinning back, thinking of their secret friendship.
If only Cassie really knew.
Chapter Fifteen
How to Become a Lady ~ Rule Fifteen: A lady needs to shop and buy the things required to be a lady.
“Fashionable ladies go shopping,” Cassie insisted.
“We have brought more than enough while shopping the last time. I need nothing else, what would I do with it? One of my new dresses alone could afford enough food to feed a family for a year!” Emma shot back.
Cassie rolled her eyes. “That is why you have pin money. If you will not shop then at least come with me, so that I can!”
Emma smiled at that. Growing up Cassie had always managed to scrape together enough money to buy something pretty. As a matter of fact Emma still had the tin butterfly bracelet Cassie had given her for her tenth birthday. She would bet her sister didn’t care for tin jewelry anymore, but it was still priceless to Emma. She kept it with all her other treasures in a small box carved out of dark oak.
“Fine,” Emma conceded.
Cassie squealed and hugged Emma. It was as if those years apart never happened.
“But,” Emma interrupted and Cassie groaned, “We have to make this fun, like we used too. So we will each buy something for each other as well. Whoever gives the best gift wins.”
Grinning madly Cassie said, “Game on, little sister. I can out shop the queen if need be.”
And that is how they ended up shopping on fashionable Bond Street.
Emma was dragged around by her sister going to the finest shops and while she saw a great number of pretty things, none were what she was looking for.
But as they were walking with a crowd Emma noticed a small side street that held more little shops and their signs. Out of old habit she wandered down the almost empty street as her sister continued on with the flow of the crowd on Bond Street, never noticing she was now alone.
Emma read the signs as she went, intrigued by some of the more unusual ones.
Hugh’s Crystal Wares.
London Metal Works.
Ladies Emporium and Co.
The last one did the trick in peaking her interest and Emma let herself in the small, but spacious store. A small silver bell tinkled overhead, letting them know someone her entered. But no one came to greet her so she took her time looking at all their darling items.
Compared to the prices charged by shops just a few blocks away, Emma was surprised. These items were affordable, so much so she could have afforded them on the wages she had made at the flower shop, which paid like dirt.
“Extraordinary,” Emma said thrilled. The items were finely made and of good quality, but had made with materials to be cost effective.
She picked out a few things for herself, but when she came across a choker made of pale blue ribbon, a few glass beads and a butterfly pendent carved out of a small disc of mother of pearl, she knew she had found what she had been looking for.
“Are you alright, Miss?” asked a young shop girl as she came into the room and saw Emma.
Emma realized then her eyes had teared up and a few fell, sliding down her cheeks. She wiped them away, laughing softly.
“Yes, I am very well. I saw this and it,” she held out the choker, “and it brought back a good memory I thought I had lost.”
The girl’s smile was both understanding and proud. “Would you like it then?”
“Oh yes, I would,” Emma said on a breath.
She handed over the things she had collected and followed her up to the front counter where the girl wrapped her things in plain brown packing paper and tied the together.
“That will be three crowns,” the girl chirped.
Emma dug around in her hand bag and produced a one pound note and put it on the counter. When the girl’s face looked worried. Emma said, “Keep the whole thing, but I would like to ask a question.”
The girl’s worried expression did not change. “Yes, Miss?”
“Who made the choker if I may ask? I would dearly love to have a matching one made for myself.” And Emma meant it. Butterflies had been her mother’s favorite and was for Emma and Cassie as well because of that.
Relief spread over the girl’s face and bloomed into a wide smile. “My older sister made it. She could fashion you another one, if you would like,” the girl said, sounding hopeful.
“Indeed, I would! Here,” Emma said pulling out a five pound note and a card out handing them to the girl. “I would like mine made with yellow ribbon please and do send word when it is ready to that address. I shall come pick it up.”
The girl stared at the five pound note with wide eyes. Emma knew five pounds was a few months’ wages for her.
“Thank you,” Emma said picking up her package, “Tell you sister I love her work.”
Just as Emma reached for the front door it came flying open and hit her square I the face. Sending her flying.
“Millie,” called out a voice just before Emma had been beamed.
Two harsh gasps sounded and Emma laid sprawled across the hard wood floors with the world dancing around her.
A pretty face she knew came into view.
“Oh my, are you alright?” asked Lady Anna, sister to the Duke of Montrose.
Still to stunned to answer, Emma tried clearing away her addled thoughts.
The door near her feet opened again and a breeze tickled Emma’s legs as the next person stepped in.
“Anna, how many times do I-”asked the very proper duke as he walked into the store before noticing all three ladies on the floor.
His normally neutral expression turned to shock surprise as his eyes landed on her ungracefully spread across the floors with her skirts above her knees, stocking showing.
And Emma wanted to sink into the very floors on which she laid and disappeared.
Chapter Sixteen
How to Become a Lady ~ Rule Sixteen: A lady never goes off alone without an escort.
Emma sat humiliated on a plain wooden stool in the back of the store room staring at her clasped hands as the doctor looked her over.
The Duke of Montrose had personally sought out the nearest doctor and forced him to come look Emma over even after she protested.
“You might as well speak to someone deaf. Once his mind is set there is no changing it. He is after all a duke,” Lady Anna said, sighing the last part.
So here she sat with the Duke of Montrose staring at her expectantly and the young handsome doctor. With a final touch the doctor pulled back with a gentle smile. “Other than a nasty bump, some bruising and some dizziness you are well and fit. It may hurt for a few days but as long as you rest and take things easy, you shall heal right up.”
“Thank you,” Emma mumbled as she looked passed the man to where Lady Anna and her brother stood. He looked superior and she looked guilty. But he raised a brow at Emma’s gaze.
After that the doctor left with kind good byes, considering he had been kidnapped, Lady Anna apologized until Emma assured her that it was alright.
The duke cast his sister a look. “You know ladies do not run nor do they burst through doors.”
“Yes, Brother,” Lady Anna agreed as if she had been told this a million times before.
Then he fixed that pointed glance on her, “And where is your chaperone?”
“I wandered away from Cassie and her maid,” admitted Emma as she reached up to gently touch her head and winced.
The duke’s gaze was disappointed.
“You have no right
to glare at me thus went it’s your fault I sit here looking like a fool,” Emma pointed out to him in a haughty tone.
“My fault,” he echoed in disbelief.
“Your fault,” she agreed, “Not to mention you kidnapped the poor doctor. What were you thinking, doing such a thing?”
Shocked to the point of being speechless the duke gaped at her outrageous statements.
Emma did not care who he was, that had not been okay. Thinking? The man had not been thinking when he forced the doctor here even if it had been for her.
She got within a foot’s reach of him and pointed her finger at his finely straight noble nose.
“You weren’t thinking, I know. You owe the man an apology, duke or not!”
Finding his voice he argued, “He was well paid.”
Emma arched a brow at him. “So if I were to kidnap you and paid you well, would that be alright?”
“That is preposterous,” he blustered.
“Is it? Why?” she asked placing her hands on her hips. “And do not say it’s because you are a duke.”
His retort died on his lips.
She smiled victoriously which looked ridiclous with the bruise forming across her forehead.
Sighing he gave in cause he knew it was not worth the effort as she would win. “Point conceded, Lady Emma.”
~
Derek sighed. No point in arguing with a lady determined to win a war of words like Lady Emma.
But she was quite a fine sight with her hands on her hips, it pushed up the delicious swell of her breasts above her neck line.
“We should see if we can find your sister. I am sure Lady Wenbrooke is worried,” Derek said, his voice a bit husky.
“If she has noticed yet,” Emma said standing and dusting her skirts. “We were shopping, you see, and she tends to focus on the task at hand very well.”