Page 7 of A Temporary Bride for the Duke

Surely, she cannot expect me to stand by her side after she has spoken out of turn about your behavior.

Harry shrugged genially, then an impish grin spread across his face, and he held the frog tighter.

Edmund took that to mean Harry did not care what Lady Emily said. He could not abide by anyone who did not share his love of animals.

Lady Archworth arrived in time to hear Lady Emily’s last statement, and she eyed the gathering shrewdly. “Where were you to escort the lady, Edmund?”

He slanted her a narrow glance. “Nowhere, Aunt. We were merely discussing the balloons and the fact that they’re about to be hoisted. Lady Emily expressed some excitement about witnessing the phenomenon, and I was just encouraging her to get closer.”

The Dowager Marchioness clapped her hands in delight. “Well, that does sound lovely. Shall we all go?”

“I cannot budge!” Lady Emily cried histrionically. “Not while the Duke’s son is still holding onto that vile beast.”

Edmund gave a put-upon sigh, turning to his son. “Harry, it seems you are scaring the ladies. Release the frog.”

Harry’s mouth turned down. “But I just caught it.”

“An impressive feat, indeed, my boy,” Edmund said as he reached forward and patted Harry on the head. He took a moment to ruffle the soft forelocks of hair that hung near Harry’s eyes. “But one I’m sure you will be able to replicate when we go home.”

“You mean if I drop this frog now, you will help me find another once we get back home?”

The corners of Edmund’s lips twitched as he gave his son a rueful smile. That was not precisely what he’d said or meant, but he did admire the way Harry had roped him into joining the frog hunt later.

“Exactly. It’s not chivalrous to come and scare the ladies with wildlife, Harry. You’re old enough to know that when someone objects to what you are doing, it is polite to desist.”

“Do you mean I have to let go of the frog because the lady is screaming?” Harry asked grudgingly.

Edmund nodded. “Yes, you do.”

Harry gave a deep sigh, even as he opened his hand and let the frog jump away. “Farewell, my friend!” he shouted as the frog leaped toward freedom.

Unfortunately for Lady Emily, the frog jumped in her direction, and she let out a screech, raising her skirts dangerously high so that her ankle was almost on display.

Harry giggled. Edmund sighed. And Aunt Regina gave a snort of derision as she tapped the toe of her shoe on the ground near enough to urge the frog to hop again.

“Oh hush, Lady Emily,” Lady Archworth said impatiently. “The frog cannot harm you.”

Before they could further debate the matter, the frog disappeared into the long grass. Harry raised his hand in farewell. “Goodbye, frog.”

“Goodbye?” Lady Emily said in disbelief. “You should be apologizing to me?—”

“Lady Emily!” Edmund snapped. “That will do. If you have a grievance with my child, you will address it to me.” He made a gesture, indicating she should speak now.

Lady Emily huffed. “I have nothing to say that you should like to hear, Your Grace.” She turned her nose up and into the air before marching away from them.

“Good riddance,” Harry muttered, and Edmund rounded on him.

“As for you, young man, you cannot go about scaring the ladies like that. For future reference, most women of my acquaintance are not fond of small creatures, so if you see a lady about, do not show them your woodland friends.”

“Not even rabbits?” Harry asked.

“Not even rabbits. If you have creatures you’d like to show off, then show them to me, your great aunt or your tutor only. Understood?”

Harry huffed. “I suppose…” His brow twisted. “But…that lady seemed so…so…”

His question ended right there, and Edmund did not blame his son for being unable to come up with an appropriate conclusion. He could not imagine why Lady Emily had been so squeamish or offended. If Edmund himself had been forced to describe her behavior, he might have called the young lady difficult. But that was not something he would say in front of his son or encourage Harry to acknowledge.

So, instead of saying what he had on his mind, Edmund replied, “Because ladies do not expect to be shown woodland critters.”