She sat up, pushing back strands of hair that had worked loose from her bun. She had set a ball rolling now. A ball that she did not know how to catch and put away.
Mama would be angry with her if she actively discouraged the gentleman. It wasn’t as if she had her pick of suitors, after all. There was hardly a plethora of gentleman callers knocking down her door. She truly did not know if she could stand her mother’s bitter disappointment. But equally, how she could encourage Mr Hardy when she had no interest in being his wife at all?
There was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in,” she called, hastily smoothing down her hair.
Olivia entered, pulling off her gloves. “I just heard the news,” she said, sitting down on the chair at Emmeline’s dressing table. “Mama blurted it out as soon as I walked through the door. You had a gentleman caller, I take it?”
Emmeline sighed. “Yes,” she said, through gritted teeth. “I did.”
Olivia gazed at her steadily. “Mr Lewis Hardy. The same gentleman you sat next to last night at dinner.” She hesitated. “Emme, what are you doing? I know that you do not like Mr Hardy in that way. And yet you were flirting with him the entire night, barely speaking to any other person at that party.”
Emmeline’s jaw tightened. “I was just doing what everybody wants me to do,” she said in a pained voice. “You have all been pushing me to socialise more. You all want me to marry before I turn into an old maid. I cannot do such a thing if I do not encourage a gentleman, can I?”
“Oh, Emme,” said Olivia, in a sorrowful voice.
Emmeline couldn’t help it. She burst into tears.
Olivia was beside her in an instant pulling her into her arms. Her sister held her in the embrace for a long moment before drawing back, staring into her face.
“Tell me,” she whispered. “Tell me what is going through your mind.”
Emmeline hastily wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “I do not know what is going through my mind any longer,” she cried. “I am so confused I can hardly think straight.”
“I know that you still have deep feelings for Lord Montagu,” said Olivia slowly. “They are not resolved in any way. There is a tension in you whenever you talk of him and when you see him.” She hesitated. “So why are you dallying with Mr Lewis Hardy?”
Emmeline sighed. “I told you. Because of everyone’s expectations of me. Mama was so happy when Mr Hardy came calling today.”
Olivia frowned. “It is not as simple as that. You could have encouraged anyone during the last few years, but you did not. It is only when Lord Montagu suddenly returns, and all these feelings you have for him are stirred up that you decide to do it.”
Emmeline gazed at her sister imploringly. “Liv, you know that nothing is simple for me anymore,” she said. “I am so confused. Benedict was flirting so blatantly with Lady Henrietta last evening, and Mr Hardy was just there.”
“Ah, I see what this is about,” said Olivia. “You encouraged Mr Hardy because Lord Montagu was speaking with Lady Henrietta. I should have known.”
“And what if I was?” There was a note of defiance in Emmeline’s voice. “Benedict has made it very plain that he has no interest in me any longer.” She took a deep, ragged breath. “Lady Henrietta is a much better catch than I … not that I believe a word of the story he told me as to why he deserted me.”
“You are very confused,” said Olivia. “You are so confused that you should not be encouraging another gentleman who you have no feelings for in the midst of this.” She hesitated. “Just give yourself time to work those feelings through, Emme. Jumping into an arrangement with Mr Hardy just because you feel insecure about Lord Montagu is not the way to handle this.”
Emmeline stared at her sister. Olivia was right, of course. She knew that. It was only pride that was stopping her admitting it to her sister. As soon as Mama had announced that Mr Hardy was here to see her, she had known in her deepest heart that encouraging him was the wrong thing to do.
“Mama will be so very disappointed in me,” she said quietly. “You should have seen her, Liv. She was so happy announcing I had a gentleman caller.” She bit her lip. “I am just so tired of disappointing everyone. I am so tired of the weight of expectation upon me, in regards to procuring a husband.”
Olivia sighed heavily. “I know how hard it has been on you, dear sister,” she replied slowly. “But our parents only push you because they want the best for you. They want you to have a good life, Emme. And they push you because they have been so worried about you over the last few years, wasting away at home. You have been living like a cloistered nun.”
“All the more reason to encourage Mr Hardy then,” muttered Emmeline, stung.
“No, it is not,” rebuked Olivia, gazing at her sorrowfully. “Our parents know nothing of your past pain. They do not understand the reasons that have led you here.” She paused. “But I do know about it … and my advice is to hold off on encouraging any other gentleman until you are ready to do so.”
Emmeline was silent, gazing out the window.
“I want you to be happy, Emme,” continued Olivia. “Truly happy. You have not been happy these last few years. Encouraging Mr Hardy just because you feel confused and insecure about Lord Montagu is not the answer. Even if he is flirting with Lady Henrietta.”
Emmeline turned to her sister. “I am not imagining it, am I? You noticed what they were like with each other last evening as well.”
Olivia bit her lip. “They did seem … rather enamoured with each other.” She sighed deeply. “I must admit, I do not understand it at all. I was so very certain that Lord Montagu still has deep feelings for you. He has given every indication of it. But last evening, something had changed.”
Emmeline smiled tightly. “Indeed. The strangest thing of all was Lady Henrietta spoke to me briefly before the dinner. She asked if I was quite well after my turn at the theatre and told me that Lord Montagu seemed disturbed by it.” She paused. “That lady has never spoken a single word to me before. It was very disconcerting.”
“That is strange,” said Olivia, frowning. “I wonder why …” Her eyes suddenly widened. “She was probing for information, Emme. She has discerned Lord Montagu’s regard for you as well, and she wishes to know exactly what is between the two of you. She was sizing up the competition.”
Emmeline jumped. “I must admit, I felt like she was warning me off in some way. But it was all so strange that I could not make head nor tail of it.”
“I am almost certain of it,” said Olivia. “This is becoming rather a complicated situation all round.” She took a deep breath. “I cannot tell you what Lord Montagu’s intentions are. But regardless of that, Emme, you are not ready to encourage another gentleman. Please tell me that you will desist in it until you have resolved this in one way or another. I do not want you to make any rash decisions.”
Emmeline took a deep breath. “I promise, Liv. It was simply an instinctive reaction to seeing Benedict and Lady Henrietta together. But I have no deep feelings for Mr Hardy, and it would be cruel indeed to encourage him. I realise that now.”
“Good,” said Olivia, exhaling slowly. “Just take things very slowly. It is the best way, I am sure of it.” She sighed, taking her sister’s hand and clasping it firmly. “I know you feel as if you are halfway down a dark tunnel, dearest. But there is light at the end of it. You just have to keep soldiering on …”
Emmeline smiled faintly. Dear Olivia. What would she do without her?
She needed her good advice. For she was halfway down a dark tunnel, and despite Olivia’s assurances, she was not confident there was any light at all at the end of it.
Chapter 16
Benedict picked up the ledger that lay on the table in front of him, staring hard at the parchment. The figures seemed to swim before his vision as his uncle’s voice droned on. Sitting opposite was Lewis Hardy, with another ledger in his hand. Ralph was next to him, quietly sipping a cup of tea.
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br /> He sighed deeply. The ledger might as well have been written in Egyptian hieroglyphics. He couldn’t concentrate on it at all. All he could think about was that dinner party two nights prior.
His eyes slid to Lewis Hardy. Although his head was bent, and he seemed to be attending the proceedings, Benedict was sure his mind was as far away as his. The man had a half-smile on his face as if he were thinking about something far more pleasant than stock numbers. Benedict’s face tightened. Was he thinking about Emmeline?
He studied the man for a moment. Lewis Hardy was moderately well to do. A respectable man in all ways, if rather average. A sound businessman, who he knew they were lucky to have on board. Lewis Hardy had sourced another stream of income from China of all places. He was astute and could think outside the box. He knew that his uncle was impressed with the man and eager to keep him as an investor.
His heart lurched suddenly. Lewis Hardy appeared smitten with Emmeline if that dinner party was any indication. The man had eyes only for her and had barely talked with anyone else for the entire evening. But the truly shocking thing was Emmeline appeared equally as smitten with him. It had been disconcerting to watch how animated she was; how her blue eyes had been sparkling with light. It had been a very long time since he had seen that side of her.
His heart lurched again. This was what he wanted, he reminded himself. He wanted her to finally let go of her feelings for him and find happiness with another. But watching her laughing and chatting with Lewis Hardy had torn his heart to pieces. He had barely been able to restrain himself from intervening in their conversation.
He looked down at the ledger again. He had only himself to blame for all of it. He had consciously decided to encourage Lady Henrietta Wynn, and Emmeline had clearly noticed. On previous occasions, he had never seen her flirting with any gentlemen; it just wasn’t in her nature to do it. Not like Lady Henrietta, who was a true artisan of the sport.
Be careful what you wish for, he thought fiercely. For you just might get it.
“Benedict.” His uncle’s voice was hard. “Are you quite with us?”
He jumped. They were all looking at him. He cleared his throat.
“Of course, Uncle Richard,” he said, firmly pushing all thoughts of Emmeline and Lewis Hardy from his mind. “Please, do go on.”
***
After the meeting was over, he wandered into the gardens for some much needed fresh air. His head was awhirl.
He knew now that he was playing with fire in encouraging Lady Henrietta. He must work to undo the impression he had given her – the lady was far too enthusiastic. He had envisaged a mild flirtation, enough to convince Emmeline not to think about him any longer. With a sense of unease, he suddenly realised that perhaps Lady Henrietta was playing for keeps.
And he wasn’t at all sure any longer if he could endure seeing Emmeline with other gentlemen.
He glanced back towards the house. Damnation. Ralph and Lewis Hardy were walking towards him. He had wanted to have some time alone. He fixed a smile onto his face as they drew closer.
“A productive meeting,” declared Hardy, smiling broadly. “But I am not ashamed to admit that I am glad that business is done for the day.” He paused. “Do you have any plans now, gentlemen?”
Ralph smiled. “We are attending a garden party at the Bentons’. Croquet on the lawn. It should be a good diversion. Would you like to come with us, Mr Hardy?”
The man’s smile widened further. “That sounds like a fine idea! I would not mind whiling away the afternoon in such a manner,” he declared. He turned to Benedict. “You would not mind me tagging along, Lord Montagu?”
Benedict’s smile tightened. “Of course not, Mr Hardy. The more, the merrier.”
Hardy laughed. “As we are amongst gentlemen,” he said in a low voice, “I shall admit that there is another reason I would like to take every opportunity to socialise.” He paused. “I have my eye on a young lady.”
“Really?” asked Ralph. “And who is she?”
Hardy took a deep breath. “Miss Emmeline Vaughan,” he said. “I have encountered her on a few occasions and find her very handsome and charming.” His voice lowered another octave. “I took the liberty of calling upon her yesterday.”
Ralph glanced at Benedict, looking unsure. Benedict felt a tightening within his chest. So, he had not been mistaken. Lewis Hardy was intent on Emmeline.
“A pleasant visit?” He tried to keep his voice mild.
“A very pleasant visit,” said Hardy, looking well satisfied. “Her mother was eager to accommodate me, and Miss Vaughan was charm personified. I must say it is looking rather promising. Do you know perhaps if the lady will be at the party this afternoon?”
Ralph shook his head. “She might be. But I cannot say for sure.”
“No matter,” said Hardy. “I shall consider it a bonus if she is, but it shall still be a pleasant afternoon regardless.” He paused. “Well, I should go back into the house and bid my farewell to Lord Montagu.”
Ralph coughed into his hand. “I shall be along presently.”
The man nodded, walking back to the house. Benedict felt the air exhale from his lungs in an enormous rush.
Ralph turned to him. “I cannot say I am surprised,” he said slowly. “Hardy seemed smitten with her at the Ashworth dinner party the other night.”
Benedict’s face tightened. “It is none of my concern,” he said irritably. “Hardy and Emmeline are free to do what they will.”
“Ben …” Ralph’s voice was uncertain. “I do not think it is that simple …”
“It must be,” said Benedict, through gritted teeth. “I will not discuss it any further.”
Without another word, he walked away. There was a dull pain in his chest. Sometimes, he thought that life was so much more uncomplicated when he had been in India.
***
As soon as he walked into the Bentons’ drawing room, he knew he had made a mistake. Standing against the window was Lady Henrietta Wynn, chatting with her best friend, Adelaide. The lady’s eyes widened dramatically when she saw him.
Damnation, he thought fiercely. He was almost tempted to turn on his heel and hastily retreat.
“My Lord,” called Lady Henrietta, smiling coquettishly. “Do come and join us.”
He took a deep breath, hesitating.
“Go on, old chap,” smiled Lewis Hardy, nudging him. “It seems the lady rather likes you.”
Benedict gritted his teeth, slowly walking towards the duo.
“Ladies,” he said slowly. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Isn’t it just?” declared Lady Henrietta. “I did not know you were coming this afternoon, My Lord!” She turned to Adelaide. “Did you not say that you needed to speak to Miss Davidson, dearest? I saw her enter the library just before. You will probably find her there.”
Adelaide looked confused, gazing at her friend with a befuddled expression.
“Remember?” said Lady Henrietta, her eyes narrowing.
“Oh, yes,” said Adelaide, uncertainly. “Of course. I shall go to the library and see if she is still there. Will you excuse me?”
Benedict bowed slightly as the lady walked swiftly away.
Lady Henrietta turned to him. “Adelaide is a dear,” she said confidentially. “But just between us, she can be rather simple-minded on occasion.” She sighed. “She hangs off me so terribly! Why, she almost worships me. It can be tiresome.”
A Lord's Flaming Return: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 11