“It was truly magnificent,” the first woman swooned.
“Indeed,” the other said. “But that is not the best part.”
“What is?”
“The Duke was seen dancing with a strange woman in a green gown, and apparently he spent the entire evening with her.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. Most of the young women who were designing to be his wife were outraged by his conduct.”
“I can imagine. The Duke is the most eligible bachelor in Suffolk.”
“If not the entire country.”
“Indeed.”
“Apparently she was a strikingly beautiful woman and all the men flocked around her, hoping to gain her attention.”
“But it was the Duke who ultimately grabbed her attention?”
“No doubt. I heard from Miss Genevieve that the Duke is searching for her now.”
Emma’s eyes widened, and her heart pounded in her chest, but she showed no sign of it. She simply carried on with her work, now listening intently.
“Truly?”
“Indeed. Apparently, she was not on the guest list, and now he has ordered his messengers to spread the word that he is looking for this mysterious woman.”
“But why go to all that trouble to find a woman?”
“Perhaps she awakened something in him; maybe she has stolen his heart?”
“That is rather romantic.”
“Indeed. I wish I could find a man who would go to such lengths to see me again.”
Emma took a couple of deep breaths and pursed her lips, deep in thought.
After the women left and the store was closed for the evening, Emma and Alice walked briskly toward Emma’s home.
“You are awfully quiet,” Alice pointed out.
“Indeed I am.”
“What is the matter?”
“I am very worried.”
“Worried about what?”
“I overheard two women talking at the store this afternoon.”
“About what?”
“The Duke is looking for me.”
“What?”
“He did not find my name on the guest list and now he is searching for me. Apparently, he has his messengers running around the county to find me.”
“That is wonderful news, Emma.”
“How on Earth can you say such a thing?”
“The Duke of Leyton wishes to find you after the wonderful evening he had with you and you’re questioning that?”
“It is flattering, Alice, but we agreed that it was only for that one night.”
“Emma, you are being foolish. The Duke wishes to see you again.”
“What if he is upset that I came to his mother’s ball without an invitation?” Emma worriedly bit her lip.
“Do not be silly, Emma. That certainly is not the reason why he is searching for you.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“Guests attend balls without an invitation on a regular basis.”
“And how are you aware of that?”
“It is common sense, my dearest friend.”
Emma was deep in thought as they reached her home and went inside.
“You must go to him.”
“I most certainly will not.”
“Emma, he is searching for you. The least you can do is go to him.”
“And say what? That I am not the woman he believes I am. I am a mere seamstress who has no title and wore another’s dress to attend a ball to which I was not invited, simply to spend one evening feeling as important as they were?”
“No, you cannot say that.”
“I cannot go to him, Alice. I cannot lie to him again.”
“It is not lying,” Alice continued.
“Of course it is. I am not the daughter of a Marquess, and I do not own an estate in Southampton, and I am most certainly not a lady.”
Alice glanced at her and nodded. “Very well. I cannot force you to do anything you do not wish to do.”
There were a few moments of silence as Emma knelt on the ground to light the fire in her hearth.
“Perhaps you can simply meet with him and tell him-”
“No, Alice. I cannot.”
“I saw the excitement in your eyes when you returned home after the ball. You were euphoric. I have never seen you as happy as you were that night, or now for that matter.”
Emma sighed and narrowed her eyes. “There is one way to fix this.”
“And what is that?”
“You must go to him, as my handmaid, and inform him that I will be leaving sooner than expected. He will never have to see me again.”
Alice frowned and looked at Emma for a few moments. “Emma-”
“Please. I cannot lie to him again.”
Giving in, Alice nodded simply. “I will do that.”
Chapter Four
Rivenhall Estate
Suffolk, England
A muted knock on the door of his study got the Duke’s attention as he glanced up from the leather-bound book that he had been engrossed in for the last few hours. He was still trying to find Lady Emma, but could not find her family, or any other information on her for that matter.
“Enter.”
The butler entered the room and said, “Pardon the interruption, Your Grace, but there is a young maidservant who wishes to see you.”
“What is this regarding?”
“She would not say, but she insists it is a matter of great urgency.”
“Very well. I will see her,” the Duke said with a nod and closed the book in front of him.
A young woman with dark brown hair was ushered into the study and the butler closed the door, offering them privacy.
“Good afternoon, Miss.”
“Your Grace,” she nodded and approached him. “My name is Alice and I am a maidservant for Lady Emma.”
He immediately stood up from his chair and looked at her with wide, interested eyes. “Lady Emma?”
“Indeed, Your Grace.”
The Duke approached her with a relieved smile lighting his face.
“My Lady sent me here to thank you for the wonderful evening she had at the ball, and to tell you that she will never forget it.”
He frowned slightly and asked, “This sounds very much like a farewell.”
“My Lady must go back to her home in Southampton, Your Grace.”
“I was under the impression she was only to return home in a fortnight.”
“Her father has taken ill, and she must return home sooner than planned.”
“I must see her.”
“I am afraid that is not possible. She leaves this afternoon.”
“Please, Miss Alice. Is there no possible way I can see her?” the Duke asked with desperation in his voice as he pleaded. “I must see her again. She-”
“She what, Your Grace?”
“She is by far the most interesting person I have ever been acquainted with in my entire life. She was gracious and kind and I have not stopped thinking about her since the evening of the ball.”
Alice smiled slightly and lowered her gaze.
“Please, Miss Alice. I beg of you. Make her reconsider. I understand her father has fallen ill, but I must see her, even if it is for the last time.”
Alice pursed her lips briefly and nodded. “I will do what I can.”
“I thank you, Miss Alice.”
“If she were to agree, where should she meet with you?”
The Duke smiled slightly and thought for a few moments. “Certainly not here.”
“Why not, Your Grace?”
“My mother,” he answered simply.
“I understand,” Alice responded and pursed her lips briefly. “Perhaps a stroll in Swallow Park tomorrow morning?” she suggested.
“If you can arrange for her to meet me there, I will be forever grateful.”
“I will try my best, Your Grace, but I cannot promise anything.”
“Thank you, Miss Alice.”
Alice nodded and as she left the study, the Duke hoped that she could persuade Lady Emma to reconsider and delay her departure. He was aware it might sound very selfish of him to keep her away from her ill father, but he simply had to see her and, although the Duke had only met her a few days ago, he could not imagine never being able to see her again.
*****
Emma Cooper’s Residence
Belton, Suffolk, England
Emma paced the small sitting room of her home and wondered when Alice would return. She had been away for most of the day, and Emma hoped that she was safe. She heard a carriage outside and glanced through the window, both delighted and nervous to see her friend had returned.
As Alice entered the house, Emma looked at her expectantly, almost holding her breath.
“Good afternoon, dearest Emma.”
“I started to worry about you.”
“Oh, I am fine.”
“Wonderful. Tell me what happened,” Emma demanded, rather impatiently.
“Calm down, My Lady,” Alice muttered as she sat down on the bench.
“What did the Duke say?”
“He wishes to see you.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“That your father is ill, and you need to leave Suffolk immediately to return home.”
“And?”
“He still wishes to see you.”
“And?”
“And I said I would speak with you, but I could not promise anything. He was grateful and said he will be waiting for you tomorrow morning at Swallow Park.”
“What?”
“He is desperate to see you again, Emma. You should have seen his expression.”
“I cannot go.”
“You must.”
“Alice-”
“Listen to me, Emma. A handsome man who lives in a magnificent estate in the countryside wishes to see you and spend more time with you. Does that not mean
anything to you?”
“He wishes to meet with Lady Emma Dunlop, the Marquess’s daughter, not Emma Cooper, the seamstress.”
“But they are the same person.”
“Not to him. People like him do not keep company with people like me, Alice. You of all people should be aware of this.”
“Please meet with him, even if it is only this once.”
“Alice, we have discussed this. The ball was to be the first and last time. I can no longer pretend to be someone I am not. I cannot deceive him again. He is-”
“He is what?” Alice asked, narrowing her eyes at Emma.
“He deserves better,” Emma answered stiffly.
“You and I both know that was not what you wished to say.”
“What does it matter?”
“It does matter, Emma.”
“He is a wonderful man, and the thought of my foolish actions causing him any harm will break my heart, Alice.”
“I see,” Alice responded. “In case you changed your mind, I borrowed one of the dresses at the shop.”
“Alice,” Emma warned.
“It is entirely up to you,” she said, as she held her hands up in defeat. “But I strongly urge you to meet with him.”
*****
Emma climbed out of the coach, feeling rather out of place at Swallow Park. She had never been there before despite it being in a neighbouring borough. She glanced around and took deep breaths to calm herself. Despite her insistence that she did not wish to meet with the Duke, Alice had been very persistent and had finally convinced her otherwise, and here she was, at Swallow Park, meeting with the Duke. As she glanced around the park, she immediately noticed the Duke walking towards her, and her heart felt like it was going to fly out of her chest.
“Lady Emma,” he said, flashing a relieved smile.
“Your Grace,” she greeted him politely. She could not contain her own smile as she gazed into his eyes that were sparkling with excitement.
“I am truly glad you changed your mind,” he said.
“I have only postponed my trip for a few days. I must get back to my father.”
“I understand, My Lady. I respect that your family is important to you.”
“Thank you,” she nodded simply.
“Shall we take a stroll, My Lady?”
“That is why I am here.”
The Duke smiled, offered his arm, and the pair began to stroll through the park.
“You are an awfully difficult person to find,” the Duke pointed out.
“Why is that, Your Grace?”
“Your name was not on the list of people who received an invitation to my mother’s ball.”
“That is because I was not invited.”
“Do you often attend parties to which you are not invited?”
“Indeed.”
“And why exactly is that?”
“I enjoy meeting new people.”
“What a coincidence. As do I.”
“That is hardly a coincidence, Your Grace.”
“Perhaps, but I am glad you came to my mother’s ball.”
“You are?”
“Indeed. You are the most interesting person I have ever met.”
“I am not as interesting as you might think, Your Grace.”
“I do not believe that for a moment. You certainly made an impression on me.”
“I have?”
“Indeed. You are nothing like any other woman I have ever known. You are kind, and you treated my staff with such respect and humility. You did not speak of money or material wealth the entire evening, and that was refreshing to say the least.”
“Your Grace-”
“I am aware that your father is ill, and I understand how important family is to you,” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket to retrieve a letter with a golden wax seal, “which is why I must give you this.”
“What is it?”
“It is an invitation to a ball I am hosting to celebrate my birthday,” he answered.
“Your birthday,” she repeated. “And you wish me to be there, Your Grace?”
“More than anything.”
“And why is that?”
“Because when I look at you, it feels as if I have known you my entire life. You are the most interesting woman I know, and I want to know you better, My Lady, and...” His voice trailed and he cleared his throat.
“And what, Your Grace?” she asked expectantly.
“And nothing would please me more than to have you attend my birthday ball.”
Emma bit her bottom lip and glanced down at the sealed letter. As much as she desperately wanted to decline this offer, the way he looked at her filled her with warmth and made refusal incredibly difficult. He had spoken with the utmost sincerity and Emma thought she would break his heart if she declined. She despised herself already for not being truthful with the Duke, and now it had gone further than she had ever thought it would. She looked up at him, staring into his eyes, and felt herself weakening as he silently pressed her to agree. All he wanted was to spend more time with her and, deep inside her heart, she wanted the same thing, even though it would all come crashing down upon her if he were to find out she was merely a simple seamstress with no title and a knack for telling lies. Despite all these concerns, she tilted her head and said, “I accept your invitation, Your Grace.”
“That is the most wonderful news I have heard in a very long time, My Lady.”
Emma smiled and they continued their stroll through the gardens. “May I make a request?”
“Anything, My Lady.”
To Love A Duke: A Regency Romance (Finding Forever Love) Page 4