Page 4 of The Unfortunate Debutante
Emma shook her head, causing her ringlets to swish back and forth. “No more training. I will behave.”
“See that you do,” Rachel responded with mirth in her eyes.
Sitting in the elaborate drawing room of Caddington Manor, Emma couldn’t believe that four gentlemen were already vying for her attention, especially since they had only been in London for a fortnight. Two were titled men, but the other two were also men of considerable worth. At least, that is what her guardian had informed her.
One man kept drawing her attention, and it was not because of his appearance or countenance. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off the crumbs on Lord Brisbane’s moustache. He looked rather ridiculous, and yet, he somehow managed to retain a sad dignity, making her suspect that he was not a man of great confidence.
“Miss Pearson,” Mr. Southhampton, the brother of Earl Fitzroy, began, “please say that you will save me a dance at your ball tomorrow.”
She gave him a gracious smile. “I would be honored, Mr. Southampton.”
“I shall look forward to it,” he replied with a flirtatious wink.
Hoping no one witnessed his bold move, Emma took a moment to consider Mr. Southampton. With his blond hair and sharp features, he was a handsome man, but not enough to tempt her. His words seemed too smooth. Perhaps she should refuse him rather than encourage him by allowing him to dance with her.
Lord Brisbane cleared his throat, and Emma found herself leaning forward to see if the crumbs would finally break free from the confines of his neatly groomed, hairy lip.
“Would you care to go riding with me tomorrow, Miss Pearson?” he asked as the crumbs continued to hold strong to the hairs.
Emma could see the line of sweat forming on Lord Brisbane’s brow, and she couldn’t help but notice that Mr. Southampton and Mr. Ramsbury were both hiding smirks behind their teacups. It was clear that they expected her to let him down gently. Poor Lord Brisbane, she thought. She had no interest in the man, but she didn’t dare embarrass him in front of his peers.
“I would be honored, Lord Brisbane.”
He let out a relieved sigh, causing the crumbs to take flight. “That pleases me immensely.”
Sitting alone on the upholstered settee, the solemn-faced Lord Haddington appeared content to observe as he sipped his tea. Emma directed her next comment to him.
“Have you read any interesting books, Lord Haddington?”
He gave her a complacent smile. “I’m afraid none that you would understand, my dear,” he replied in a condescending tone.
What an insufferable man, she thought. “Truly? You have piqued my interest, Lord Haddington,” she stated in a steady voice.
Lord Haddington huffed in a way that implied he was just indulging her. “I just finishedCritique of Practical Reasonby Immanuel Kant.”
Ah, she knew that book! Placing her teacup on the table, Emma recited, “ ‘Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and reverence, the more often and more steadily one reflects on them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.’ ”
Lord Haddington stared at her with a stunned expression on his face. After a moment, he asked, “You have read Kant?”
“I have,” she responded, savoring the moment, “and I found it quite enjoyable. Did you not?” She offered him a sweet smile.
“I did, but I did not memorize it like you apparently have,” Lord Haddington commented.
Attempting to keep the amusement out of her voice, she stated, “I suppose his work just spoke to me.”
Mr. Ramsbury placed his teacup onto the table. “May I be so bold as to ask for the supper dance, Miss Pearson?”
“You forget yourself, sir,” Lord Downshire declared from the doorway. “As Miss Pearson’s guardian, I will have the privilege of arranging her supper dance.”
All the men in the room rose when the tall, dark-haired marquess walked into the room. Emma had to admit that her guardian was a man of great strength and confidence. His intense stares may have frightened many people… well, most people, but he had never given her cause to fear him. From the moment she’d met Luke, he had treated her as family, showering love upon her.
Mr. Ramsbury bowed. “My apologies, my lord.”
Ignoring his response, and the other men’s presence, Luke strode up to his wife and kissed her cheek. “How are you, my dear?”
Rachel smiled lovingly up at him. “I am well.”
Without removing his gaze from Rachel, he proclaimed, “Miss Emma is no longer receiving callers for today. You are all dismissed.”
