Page 61 of To Have & To Hold

Nathaniel’s eyes widened and his grip on his cup tightened, but his voice came out calm and measured. “Do you intend to go?”

Emilia placed the card back on the tray. “I do not,” she replied. “Briggs, would you please send a reply to the Moorfield residence and inform my aunt that she is more than welcome to call on me if she would like, but I will not be accepting her invitation.”

The elderly man’s eye twinkled, “Yes, Your Grace.”

He smiled in Nathaniel’s direction before bowing to them both and slipping from the room once again. Emilia looked up at her husband, to find himstaring at her.

The warmth drained from Emilia’s face. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” Nathaniel reassured her with a smile. “You handled that perfectly.”

Emilia relaxed slightly in her chair, “You would have responded the same way?”

“Oh, absolutely not,” Nathaniel replied, gathering up his papers and standing to his feet. “I would have returned the invitation, along with my compliments, and advised Lady Moorfield that she could dispose of both in whatever manner gave her the most satisfaction.”

“Nathaniel!” Emilia could not hold in her laughter if she had tried.

“But that is precisely why you are duchess.” Nathaniel paused at her chair, a light touch brushing over her shoulder as he leaned in close to speak softly in her ear. “From now on, you may handle all of our social obligations.”

Emilia shook her head in amusement as she watched him stride from the room.

“I would be honored,my dear,” she called after him. Nathaniel did not turn around, but she was quite certain she saw a faint blush staining his cheeks as he rounded the corner.

∞∞∞

Tea with Lady Moorfield was considerably less dark and dreary than it had been in the past. Perhaps it was because of the light and airy curtains that allowed golden light to filter into the duke’s drawing room, or the floral wallpaper her aunt had not stopped raving about since she sat down. But Emilia was quite certain it was due to the fact that she no longer lived her life under the threat of an impending storm.

Louisa sat across from her mother, beaming. Her attitude towards Emilia had improved drastically since she had last seen her—most likely, Lady Moorfield had convinced her of all the potential advantages that came with having a cousin who was a duchess.

Emilia smiled politely as she sipped her tea, while Louisa relayed her plans for her presentation next season.

“Mother and Papa believe delaying my entrance into society will prove most beneficial. The Duke of Kenswick is certain to have many influential acquaintances, and another year will give us ample opportunity to cultivate the proper connections and secure the most advantageous match.”

Emilia nodded silently. She was quite certain Nathaniel would be less than enthusiastic to learn he had been included as part of Louisa’s marriage strategy.

“Speaking of His Grace,” Lady Moorfield interjected smoothly, though it was painfully obvious she had been waiting for this very topic to arise. “I heard whispers that heattended the Langley Ball last evening. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to speak with him.”

The insinuation in her voice was barely hidden. Emilia had been anticipating this topic of conversation, but her aunt’s probing gaze did not feel nearly as intimidating as it once had.

“Yes,” Emilia replied. “We were both in attendance.”

“You left so early.” Lady Moorfield’s pointed gaze didn’t waver.

Emilia hummed softly, taking another sip of her tea. “His Grace and I were in agreement that there are far more pleasant ways to spend an evening than in a crowded ballroom.”

The moment the words slipped off her tongue, Emilia realized how they must have sounded. She glanced up to find Lady Moorfield staring at her over the rim of her teacup—and judging by her scandalized look and Louisa’s wide eyes, that is exactly how they had interpreted them.

Normally, Emilia would have hurried to correct the misunderstanding, yet even as a small blush crept up her cheeks, she decided that rendering her aunt speechless was worth the momentary embarrassment.

“Well,” Lady Moorfield cleared her throat delicately. “I suppose that explains why we have yet to receive a response regarding the dinner party.”

Emilia’s confidence wavered for the first time since her guests had arrived. It had been over a week since Nathaniel hadpromised to write their refusal—perhaps he had simply forgotten.

“I apologize, Aunt. There must have been a miscommunication on who was sending our reply,” Emilia said truthfully. “I assure you we were not intentionally keeping you in suspense”

“I would hope not,” Lady Moorfield scoffed. “I would expect better manners from a duke.”

“Perhaps from the duke,” Louisa laughed under her breath. “From what Miss Robbins mentioned this morning, there seems to be some question as to Emilia’s…”