Page 7 of When a Duke Desires a Lass

Well, Emily had asked, and it seemed that Miss Levingtone was not one to mince words.

Emily quirked an eyebrow toward his grace.

Would he deny his roguish reputation?

“That is not true, Avery.”

Heatherston’s tone was mild, yet genuine pain threaded his voice and was stamped across his ruggedly handsome features.

Emily almost pitied him, though why should she when he wasn’t the unhappy orphan standing there?

“I am fulfilling a promise I made to your parents before they died, and I’m not a rakehell.”

So he claimed.

Emily eyed the sullen girl. Avery had been orphaned too.

For how long?

Emily’s heart went out to the girl. She knew what it was to be an orphan. Also, to be foisted off on a much older brother. A brother busy with his own life and who had no idea what a young girl needed beyond food, shelter, and clothing.

“I vowed I would see that ye had a Season,” the duke said, sympathy in his gaze, “when ye were of an appropriate age. Ye might actually enjoy it, Avery, if ye’d let yourself.”

What did he, an avowed bachelor, know about a Come Out?

Didn’t he know the official Season had already begun?

Emily inspected Heatherston’s strained features.

That he loved his niece was obvious, but that he had no idea what to do with a girl on the cusp of womanhood was equally apparent.

“What do you know about such matters?” Avery asked bitterly, echoing Emily’s thoughts.

“Perhaps I might be of assistance in that regard?”

Emily could’ve bitten her tongue off. The dratted appendage seemed to have developed a mind of its own.

Heatherston and Miss Levingtone turned astonished gazes upon her.

Certain she overstepped, yet plowing onward, despite her pulse racing in alarm, Emily touched Miss Levingtone’s arm. “I was orphaned at a young age, and my brother, fifteen years my senior, was named my guardian.”

Miss Levingtone’s mouth sagged, and tears filled her sapphire blue eyes. “Then you understand.”

“As much as anyone can, I do,” Emily said.

She bent her mouth upward in empathy.

“I also took on the responsibility of my niece when she was orphaned at ten and raised her as if she were my own child, so I understand your uncle’s perspective too. Justina married a short while ago, and I find I have excess time on my hands.”

Emily faced the duke and, thrusting aside her misgivings and her conscience shouting don’t do it, said, “Forgive me if I overstep, but I have ample time. If you are in agreement, perhaps I might offer my assistance with Miss Levingtone’s preparation for her Season?”

“You…you would do that after I nearly ran you down?”

Mouth trembling with suppressed emotion, such hope shone in Miss Levingtone’s incredulous eyes, Emily couldn’t hold a grudge. Besides, it wasn’t her nature to be punitive.

“It would be a blessing to me as well,” Emily assured her. “I’m accustomed to being busy, and my current idleness is somewhat disconcerting. I would welcome the opportunity to be useful.”

Rather than a burden, though both Justine and Baxter would vehemently deny any such thing.