by Fiona Miers
“Did she state those specific words?” James asked in disbelief.
“She may as well have,” Will exclaimed and threw his hands in the air. “Never in my life have I allowed anyone to speak to me in such a way, least of all a woman! Then she comes along and causes me to doubt everything in which I believe. Suddenly I am questioning my entire existence, and I don’t understand why.”
James shifted his weight and crossed his arms, staring intently at Will. “Perhaps the young lady has managed to get under your skin, William.”
Will scoffed and laughed with mock amusement. “That is the most ridiculous thing you have ever said, James.”
The duke raised an apprehensive brow at his younger brother and remained perfectly still.
Will exploded. “Do not glare at me in such a manner! I don’t even know this young woman. Why on earth would she affect me in such a way?”
“Perhaps she—”
Will held up his hand. “No, James.”
His brother was wrong. Whatever he was going to say… it had to be wrong.
James pushed on. “Have you considered the fact that she is permitted to have an opinion of her own? And that her opinion is as valid as yours?”
Will chuckled once more, but his smile faded as he realized the duke was serious. “You cannot be serious, James. Outspoken women are not—”
“Are not what? Desirable as wives?” the duke interrupted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“That is not what I meant.”
He wasn’t considering her for a wife. That was the last thing on his mind.
“What exactly did you mean, William?”
Will sighed. Frustration filled him to the core and he gritted his teeth. “Father taught us women had a place in this world, and it was not to be outspoken or to disrespect men in any manner.”
“That may be true, but Mother made it perfectly clear that we should stick to our beliefs and our morals.” James said.
Will shook his head. “I respect Father’s teachings. He made me the man I am today.”
“A man who is uncertain of how to handle feeling embarrassed by a young woman?” the duke retorted.
Will’s jaw dropped. “That was rather insulting, even for you, brother.”
“My apologies, brother, but you must admit, it is true. This young woman turned your world around in the blink of an eye, and she continues to have an effect on you. Surely, there must be a reason. Is it not perhaps all the brandy you consumed this afternoon that is causing this momentary lapse of confidence you are feeling?” James asked.
“I am fairly certain all the brandy has left my blood.”
James chuckled in amusement but soon stifled his laughter when Will glared at him angrily.
“You find my pain amusing. What a supportive brother you are,” Will mumbled.
“My sincerest apologies, brother. I did not mean to delight in your misery.” James said.
“Or perhaps I am being foolish, allowing an ignorant young woman to riddle me with self-doubt,” Will answered, his shoulders straightening. “What kind of man would I be if I were to allow that?”
“A chauvinistic one?” came a female voice from behind them.
Will glanced to his left and saw Kitty standing in the doorway, a pout on her lips.
“Did your mother not teach you it is improper to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations?” Will muttered.
“Hold your tongue. You do not speak to my wife in such a manner,” James snapped, defending his new wife.
“There is no need for you both to become hostile,” Kitty answered calmly and turned to her husband. “And while I appreciate your chivalrous behavior, my love, I can understand Will’s frustration.”
“You can?” Will and James inquired simultaneously.
“Indeed,” Kitty answered and slowly approached the two men. “All your lives, you have been taught one thing, and then a young woman comes along who challenges every belief instilled in you. It is only natural to feel threatened—”
“I am not threatened,” Will interjected.
Kitty ignored Will and continued on, “Emma is a very good friend of mine, and she and I are very much alike. Her morals and beliefs are sound, and although she would not yield to yours, she would perhaps understand if you explained that was how you were raised.”
“I think it is best I stay as far away from Emma as possible, not to further impugn myself,” Will muttered and turned away.
“William, you are not a child,” James muttered impatiently.
“Perhaps not, but I wish to distance myself from her and avoid her at all costs.”
The duke and duchess glanced at one another and Kitty cringed. “I do apologize, Will, but I have invited Emma to stay at the estate for a few days. I was under the impression it would not be a problem.”
“And it is not,” the duke assured her and glared at Will. “We are all adults, and we can behave as such, even for a few days.”
“I cannot promise anything,” Will grumbled.
James chuckled and said quietly, “I uttered those same words, William, and look where it has gotten me.”
“Perhaps Will has finally met his match,” Kitty said, glancing briefly at Will and speaking as though he wasn’t even there.
Will’s jaw clenched as he watched the duke and the duchess leave the study, and him alone with his misery.
In all honesty, Will was not miserable. Emma had ruffled his feathers and left him feeling angered.
Kitty’s last words echoed in his mind, but he refused to allow them to seep in any further. Emma was hardly the kind of woman he could stand to be in a room with, and Kitty’s insinuation was entirely wrong.
He was tempted to confront Emma once more, to prove that she would not affect him a second time, but as he heard cheerful laughter come from the window, he glanced down at the garden.
The guests still happily conversed, laughing with amusement and Will groaned. He did not wish to make a scene in front of everyone.
Despite his validated feelings of anger, it was neither the time nor the place to confront Emma. Will might be impulsive, with a fiery temperament when provoked, but he was certainly not selfish enough to ruin his brother’s wedding day.
He remained in the study for a while, before retreating to the neighboring estate—Falmouth Manor—to visit a good friend, Mr. Carson Wallace.
Will had known Carson since they were young children, as he was often found playing in the garden with Lizzie. The two children were great friends, although Will had found it rather odd for a boy and a girl of their age to spend as much time together as they had.
Luckily, however, there was nothing but platonic feelings between Carson and Lizzie. Will had discovered that fact after he and Carson had confided in one another while secretly sipping the late duke’s brandy, which they had stolen from the study.
The two of them had become good friends that day, despite nursing terrible headaches and dry mouths the next morning.
Carson was a fine young man now, and despite having no title, his family was still one of the wealthiest and formidable in the county.
After a lovely, and distracting evening in Carson’s company, Will dragged himself back to Woodlock Manor, where the dark halls and his bedchamber awaited him.
He fell into a peaceful and dead slumber as soon as his head touched the pillow, and his dreams were muddled with the happenings of the day.
3
Emma smiled happily at her reflection in the mirror as she smoothed her day dress. She had enjoyed herself thoroughly the previous afternoon, conversing with the guests at Woodlock Manor who had come together to honor the marriage celebration of the Duke and Duchess of Somerset.
The duke and her old friend made a delightful couple, and they complemented one another perfectly. Even though Emma had not imagined Kitty would ever marry a man such as the duke, the only thing that mattered to Emma was that her best friend was happy.
The glimmer in Kitty�
�s eyes and the manner in which the duke lovingly gazed at his wife was a clear indication that Kitty had chosen the right man.
Emma’s smile faded as she wondered whether she would also find a man who would look upon at her in such a way, his eyes filled with more love than most people knew in a lifetime.
Her hand reached up and touched a red tendril that brushed softly against her cheek and twirled it around her finger. Despite having a rather frustrating conversation with Lord William, she was unable to rid her thoughts of him.
The duke’s brother was a very attractive young man, with light brown hair, blue eyes, and a strong jawline. His shoulders were broad and his stature was tall and proud, despite the playful nature the brandy had bestowed upon him. That trait seemed to disappear entirely when she gave him a piece of her mind. She still couldn’t believe Lord William had such archaic beliefs concerning marriage and women, but it most certainly did not stop her from thinking of him.
Perhaps Emma should apologize to Lord William, as she had insulted him, and she did not wish for things to become uncomfortable during her stay at the estate. She had not meant to make such a ruckus in the garden, and the best thing to do was to ask forgiveness, whether Lord William deserved an apology or not.
Emma glanced at herself one last time before taking a deep breath and leaving her bedchamber. The morning sunlight shone brightly through the large windows as Emma made her way down the long hallway that led to the main stairwell.
The beams of light cascaded onto the smooth wood, dust particles sparkling in mid-air. Emma was still in awe at the grandiose interior of the manor house, the magnificent tapestries on the walls, as well as the ethereal atmosphere inside this spectacular home.
Once she reached the bottom of the staircase, she walked briskly through the great hall, towards the dining room.
Before she had retired for the evening, Kitty had informed her that breakfast was served in the parlor, and that Emma was welcome to make herself at home at the estate.
It was quiet, with the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside, their melodies entering through the open windows of the great hall. There was not a soul in sight, which made Emma wonder whether she had overslept, or was if it was merely too early for everyone else at the estate to be awake yet.
As she entered the parlor, she noticed the table in the center of the room with a delightful breakfast spread. Mouthwatering cheeses and pastry rolls covered most of the surface of the table, along with fresh fruits, stacked in the middle.
Although Emma came from a titled family, this was once again something out of the ordinary for her. Clearly, the servants had been instructed to go to extreme trouble to ensure Emma had everything she could ever dream of.
She sat at the table and as she reached for a plate, a maid entered and smiled brightly at her.
“Good morrow, my lady. Did you sleep well?”
“Indeed. My bedchamber is very comfortable, thank you.”
“May I pour you some tea, my lady?” the maidservant inquired.
“That would be lovely,” Emma answered and watched as the young woman skillfully poured tea into a porcelain cup and placed it beside the plate that was in front of her.
“Enjoy your meal. If there is anything you require, I will be in the hallway,” the girl told her.
“Before you leave,” Emma said, stopping the maid from departing, and she turned to her, “will the duke and the duchess be joining as well?”
“My sincerest apologies, my lady. The duke and duchess left before dawn to take the horses to the meadow,” she answered. “I was not aware that they did not inform you.”
“There is no need to apologize. I will simply enjoy this delightful breakfast on my own.” Emma smiled in reassurance. She did not wish for the lovely young maidservant to feel in any way responsible for her dining alone.
The girl’s face eased. “Oh, but you will not be alone, my lady. In fact—”
“Good morning, Emma.”
Emma glanced to her right, and there was the devil himself. Lord William stood in the doorway. He appeared as agitated as Emma felt, and she narrowed her eyes. Lord William’s jaw clenched as he approached the table and quietly sat on the chair at the opposite end of the table. The young maid poured tea into the cup closest to Lord William and handed him a napkin.
“Thank you, Frances. You may leave us now.”
“Certainly, my lord.”
The maid swiftly exited the parlor, leaving Emma alone with Lord William, but neither of them uttered a word. Despite the small part inside Emma that wished to apologize for yesterday, she didn’t want to be the first one to speak, as it was not her place, according to Lord William. She inwardly rolled her eyes at him and lowered her gaze.
“Frances, come here please,” Lord William demanded and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Frances hastily entered the parlor and stood beside him.
“This cup is filthy, and the tea is cold. Bring a new pot, and ensure it is hot.”
“Right away, my lord,” Frances nodded as she hastily retrieved the pot of tea, as well as the cup Lord William had referred to, and left the parlor.
Emma sighed and shook her head. She hadn’t been wrong about him after all.
Arrogant. Rude. Conceited.
“Is there a problem?” Lord William inquired.
“Clearly, there are a few,” Emma said.
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“I think you know, my lord, and it is not necessary for me to point it out,” Emma glanced up at him.
Lord William scoffed and shook his head. “I see we are on opposite ends of the table—quite literally.”
Emma scoffed as well and glanced at Francis, who had re-entered the parlor with a fresh pot of tea, and another teacup. She placed it down on the porcelain saucer and poured the tea. The dark beverage was visibly hot, with steam cascading into the air.
“My sincerest apologies, my lord,” Frances curtsied and turned to Emma. “Do you wish for me to replace the cold tea as well, my lady?”
“My tea is perfectly fine. Thank you, Frances.”
Frances nodded and turned to Lord William once more. “My apologies once again, my lord.”
“Ensure it does not happen again.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You may leave now.”
Emma’s anger increased with every curt and cold word Lord William spoke to Frances, and she watched as the maidservant rushed out of the parlor once more, clearly upset by Lord William’s harsh words.
“That was completely unnecessary,” Emma said, unable to hold back a moment longer.
“In your wrong opinion, perhaps,” Lord William answered.
“My lord, we both are well aware there was nothing wrong with that tea, nor the cup, for that matter.”
Lord William narrowed his eyes and glared at Emma. “Are you insinuating that I purposely scolded and inconvenienced the maid, my lady?”
Yes!
“It was unnecessary to direct your anger and agitation toward someone who does not deserve it,” Emma answered.
“I am most certainly not misdirecting anything.”
Emma shook her head. “I have always been aware of the fact that men are stubborn fools, but your behavior proves it more than ever.”
“I am a stubborn fool?” Lord William exclaimed and stood from the chair. “My lady seems to be under the impression that speaking your mind and humiliating someone is perfectly acceptable. Is that right?”
“I humiliated you, my lord?” Emma asked as genuinely as possible. She was well aware that he’d been embarrassed yesterday. Humiliated was quite overstating it.
Lord William’s face changed into many hues of crimson and she stifled a giggle.
“I do not understand why you find this amusing,” Lord William scoffed angrily.
She shrugged. “Perhaps you should not be so white knuckled, my lord.”
“You insulted me!” he roared.
&n
bsp; She narrowed her eyes and threw back, “You deserved it!”
All manners flew out the window as they glared at one another, eyes flashing with anger.
“If you knew your place—” Lord William began.
Emma cut him off as quickly as possible. “Once again, you know not of what you speak.” She slowly rose to her feet. “Women were not put on this world to simply submit to men. We are our own people, and the fact that you think we are only meant to be quiet wives, waiting on your every whim, upsets me severely. We are not an object for men to own, much less do we deserve to be treated the way you treated Frances.”
“The servant? We’re arguing about the maid now?” Lord William exclaimed with his eyebrows high and raised.
“I can tell a lot about a man by how he treats the people around him, and from what I have seen, you are not a good person,” Emma said.
“You know nothing of me, or how I was raised.”
She didn’t need to. The proof was in the pudding. “You are an entitled, spoilt brat who is under the distinct impression you can treat people in whichever manner you wish, my lord. I do not require any more evidence to support my theory.”
“It is most certainly not a theory,” Lord William crossed his arms. “You do not know me well enough to make such assumptions.”
“And I do not intend to, either.”
“Perhaps you should leave.”
“Perhaps I shall,” Emma exclaimed and threw her hands in the air.
“Good riddance,” Lord William muttered under his breath.
“Perhaps I shall inform the duchess and the duke how rude and uncouth you are towards their guests,” Emma turned to Lord William. “Or perhaps I do not require their assistance in this matter. I am perfectly capable of handling it myself.”
“You are a woman, and not nearly strong enough to enter a battle with me,” Lord William growled.
“Do not threaten me, my lord, or I will be forced to—”
“That is quite enough!” A voice echoed through the parlor, even louder than their own, which caused them to turn towards the door. Emma pressed her lips together as a childhood memory flashed before her eyes of her mother scolding her for sneaking off into the garden during a snow storm.