Page 52 of The Botanist’s Improper Bride

He inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Understood, miss.”

He turned and walked away, and Seraphina retreated inside her laboratory. She washed her hands and arms again, slathered them in scented lotion, and spritzed herself with a strong floral perfume as she waited for her hands to dry enough that she could don her gloves.

She sniffed and, satisfied that the perfume was stronger than the odor of any solvent that might have absorbed into her clothing, pulled on her gloves, locked her laboratory, and made her way to the parlor. As she slipped into the room, Mr. Emerson turned from the window he was standing in front of and greeted her with a smile that seemed far too wide for a man who had failed to end her betrothal.

“Good morning, Miss Dalton,” he exclaimed, smiling brightly. “You look lovely, as usual.”

“Thank you, sir.”

She couldn’t bring herself to be friendlier than that. Not when she was certain that he had caused that entire situation at the ball last night. She knew it sounded irrational, but she believed it completely.

“Would you care to accompany me on a walk in Kensington Gardens?” he asked, all smiles, but there was a glint in his eyes that unnerved her.

Seraphina glanced at Bessie, who was hovering unobtrusively in the corner. “I would prefer to remain indoors. It’s not a particularly pleasant day out.” In fact, the last time she’d thought to look out a window, the wind was so blustery that the streets were almost abandoned.

Mr. Emerson sighed as if she were a difficult child. “I believe that you will be grateful to be away from any prying eyes and ears during our conversation.”

“It isn’t proper for an unmarried lady to be alone with a gentleman.”

He waved his hand impatiently. “Then bring your maid and have her follow us at a distance. Believe me when I say that this conversation isn’t one that you want getting back to your father.”

What was that supposed to mean?

She didn’t like the sound of it. “This is quite a scandalous request, Mr. Emerson. Why should I indulge you?”

This time, there was nothing friendly about the way he bared his teeth. “Because it’s in your best interest to do so. Go and ask Mr. Dalton if you may accompany me on a walk if your maid attends you.”

Knowing that her father would react poorly if she asked Mr. Emerson to leave when Mr. Dalton had already welcomed him in, she nodded and excused herself. She went directly to her father’s office, knocked, and pushed the door open.

“I beg your pardon, Father. Mr. Emerson has asked me to walk with him in Kensington Gardens.” Before he had a chance to approve, she continued, “I don’t believe that’s appropriate considering my betrothal to Lord Fitzgerald.”

Mr. Dalton rubbed his chin, staring somewhere just over her shoulder. “Considering how much influence he wields within the ton, and how instrumental he was in restoring your reputation, I think it would be wise to smooth his ruffled feathers so he doesn’t take against us for losing the chance to marry you. You’ll bring Bessie?”

“Yes, but what will Lord Fitzgerald think if he hears that I’ve been walking with Mr. Emerson?”

Her father cocked his head. “Who would tell him? Kensington Gardens is hardly as busy as Hyde Park, and I doubt many people have ventured out in this weather. Not to mention that while I hold the Wembleys in the highest regard, Lord Fitzgerald does not have many social connections who might go running to him should they see you.”

“He has Lord Sylvestor.”

“One man in all of London. I believe the risk of anything going wrong is slim, and it would behoove us to avoid further upsetting Mr. Emerson. We all know how influential his wicked tongue can be. Now, stop coming up with excuses and be on your way.”

Her back teeth ground together, but she held her tongue through sheer force of will. “As you wish.”

Simmering internally, she marched back to the parlor, where Mr. Emerson was smirking like he already knew he’d won.

“Shall we be off?” he asked smugly.

“Please allow me a few minutes to get my pelisse.”

She left without waiting for an answer. Despite his politeness, he wasn’t honoring her preferences, so she didn’t need to extend him more than the barest courtesies in return.

She dressed quickly. The sooner this was over with, the better.

Mr. Emerson’s carriage waited outside. Fortunately, the wind that whipped at them was warm rather than cold, so she wasn’t quite as miserable as she could have been as they drove in silence to the gardens. They disembarked, and she reluctantly looped her arm through his. There were very few people around—hardly a surprise considering the gloomy weather.

Hopefully, her father was right and Trevor wouldn’t hear about any of this. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, necessarily, but she knew he would worry and compare himself to Mr. Emerson. Somehow, in his mind, he would come up short.

The ridiculous man.