Lord Melton and his Duchess

by Miers, Fiona

  They’d only shared a bed and had engaged in intimate matters a handful of times, which had resulted in their three children. It was a very impersonal act, which Emma did not care for at all. Charles clearly only engaged in those activities out of duty.

  Nothing more, nothing less.

  A tear rolled down Emma’s cheek as the poet concluded his reading and the room erupted in a loud ovation. She rose to her feet and applauded the young man for evoking such strong emotions within her, and gave credit when credit was due.

  Joseph stood as well, also applauding the young man then turned to her. “Are you all right, Emma?”

  “Indeed,” she said, fobbing him off. “I had forgotten how lovely poetry readings can be.”

  “Although you are shedding a tear?” he asked.

  “Tears filled with everything but sadness, I assure you,” Emma said. “I am truly having a wonderful time. Thank you for inviting me.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Joseph said with a smile and glanced around the room as the guests began to rise from their seats. “I am rather parched. Shall we visit the refreshment table?”

  “That is a wonderful suggestion,” Emma said.

  She followed Joseph and he poured her a glass of wine. The sweet taste of grapes danced on her tongue, and she once more recalled the poet’s words in her mind. Her shoulders began to ease as she stepped back and sipped her drink.

  “I am truly honoured you accepted my invitation,” Joseph said, suddenly beside her. “I was convinced you were actively trying to avoid me.”

  “No, not at all,” she lied. “You are Charles’ cousin. I will be certain to convince Charles to arrange a social event where you two can properly converse. With his obligations at Parliament, our time spent together is limited. I do not wish for him to feel as though I am excluding him.”

  “If I were married to an exemplary woman such as yourself, I would not dare leave you alone for a single moment,” Joseph said.

  Emma chuckled nervously and stepped away from him. “Your words are kind. Thank you. Entirely unnecessary, of course.”

  “Why unnecessary? You are a beautiful woman, and I believe you should be reminded of it,” he said.

  “While I do appreciate a compliment, there have been far too many from you,” Emma said and took another step back.

  Her back pressed against a wall and much to her dismay, she realised Joseph had cleverly and very inconspicuously manoeuvred her into an alcove, where she was trapped.

  Joseph was quite tall, with broad shoulders and there was certainly no possible way that she would be able to move past him. Nevertheless, she was sure he would not dare lay a finger on her, as there were too many people in the vicinity. If he attempted anything, she would scream and someone would come to her aid.

  “Joseph,” she said. “Perhaps we can return to our seats.”

  “In a few moments.”

  Emma’s heart pounded in her chest, fear filling her being. She stared up at Joseph, who gazed upon her without a hint of malice or anger. He merely studied her, clearly infatuated by her in the dimly lit alcove.

  Joseph suddenly leaned forward, his lips nearly touching Emma’s. Out of sheer instinct, she raised her hand and struck him against the cheek. He immediately stepped away from her and stared at her with wide, apologetic eyes.

  “Emma, I am—”

  “You will address me appropriately,” Emma snapped. “How dare you think that is acceptable behaviour?”

  “I am truly sorry,” Joseph said and held his hands up in defence. “I was under the impression—”

  “You were clearly wrong,” Emma said and clutched her burning hand.

  Joseph nodded quietly, not uttering a word.

  “I demand you take me back home at once.”

  FINLAY HALL TOWERED above the thick foliage as Charles gazed through the window of the coach, and his jaw clenched. During the entire journey from London to Weymouth, he’d pondered the words he wished to speak to Emma. Although he knew that it was probably not the right time to confront her, he didn’t wish to wait until morning.

  When the coach came to a stop, both brothers climbed down the steps that had been pulled out by a coachman. Charles was first to walk to the entrance, but Robert was much faster, and soon gained on him.

  “Charles, wait for a moment,” Robert said as he grabbed his arm.

  “Unhand me, brother.”

  “I cannot in good conscience stand by while you alienate Emma and possibly cause irreparable harm to your relationship,” Robert said.

  Charles narrowed his eyes at his brother. “She has already caused damage by accompanying Joseph to social gatherings.”

  “Allegedly,” Robert said.

  Charles expelled a sigh and shook his head. “You still believe her to be innocent in this matter?”

  “Indeed, I do. I know Emma, and I had been under the impression you did as well.”

  “It is those closest to you who do the most harm,” Charles said before he freed himself from Robert’s grasp and stomped to the entrance.

  He burst through the door, ignoring the rather bewildered butler, and marched straight to the parlour, where he heard voices in cheerful conversation.

  Inside the parlour, Thomas and Rebecca danced together while Thomas hummed a cheerful melody, which seemed to be amusing Rebecca tremendously. As soon as the pair noticed Charles in the doorway, they ceased their playful antics and stared at him in disbelief.

  “Brother,” Thomas said, his brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

  “This is my home, is it not?” Charles quipped.

  Thomas and Rebecca exchanged wary glances and Thomas stepped forward. “Indeed. That is not what I meant. We are merely surprised to see you here. We expected you to arrive in a few weeks.”

  “Where is Emma?” Charles asked, glancing around the parlour.

  “She is not here. Rebecca and I entertained the children this evening,” Thomas said.

  “The children are asleep in their chambers, Charles,” Rebecca said and placed a protective and tender hand on her swollen belly.

  “Where is Emma?”

  “Charles, what is the matter? You look terribly distressed,” Rebecca asked.

  “Do not make me repeat myself.”

  “She is not here. She attended a poetry reading at the hall in Weymouth, with Joseph.”

  At the mention of their cousin’s name, Charles spun around and stomped from the room, colliding with Robert, who had only now entered the manor house.

  “Get out of my way,” Charles said.

  “Where are you going?” Robert asked.

  “To the hall in Weymouth.”

  “Why on earth—”

  “She is there, attending a poetry reading with Joseph.”

  Robert shook his head, obviously in complete and utter shock. “No, that cannot be. Emma would not—”

  “It is true,” Thomas said as he appeared in the hallway. “Joseph brought his carriage and collected Emma.”

  “There must be another explanation. Emma would not jeopardize her reputation by acting foolishly,” Robert said, in a placating tone.

  “You were wrong about her, Robert,” Charles said with a snarl, and pushed past his brother. “You were wrong about everything.”

  “Charles, wait. Now is not the time to behave rashly,” Robert said, as he followed Charles back through the entrance.

  “I cannot believe that I trusted her all these years. I gave her everything her heart desired and this is the gratitude shown towards me? My own cousin! A cousin who is known for being a rake and a dandy! Has she no better sense than that?”

  “I am certain this is merely a misunderstanding.”

  “I will soon find out.”

  “What do you mean?” Robert asked, as they made their way along the path leading around the manor house.

  “I will go there and confront her.”

  “And make a spectacle of yourself?” Robert asked. “Charles, y
ou cannot be serious in confronting her at the hall, can you? You will bring much chagrin to both yourself and to her.”

  “She has embarrassed me enough. She is the only one to blame for that.”

  “You are overreacting, as usual,” Robert said, still following closely behind.

  “I do not care!” Charles yelled as he stomped angrily towards the stables and stepped inside. He entered the stall of his most adored stallion, Nightshade, and readied him for a ride as Robert continued to try to persuade him not to go.

  But Charles’s mind was made up, and there was certainly no swaying it.

  As he led his stallion from the stables, Robert again approached him. “Charles, can you please stop?”

  “Little brother, I sincerely appreciate your concern, but I cannot stand idly by while Emma makes a mockery of our marriage and our family. I will not stand for it, and nothing you can possibly say will dissuade me from my decision.”

  “Please, do not do this. Think for a moment—”

  “I have done nothing but think for the past ten years. Now is not the time for thinking. I must take action.”

  “Charles,” Robert said once more, but he mounted his horse, ignoring anything Robert had to say. He whipped the reins and Nightshade began to gallop towards the gates.

  Charles was aware that his actions may be rash. The rage and anger coursing through his veins may have clouded his sense of judgement, impairing his rationale, but this was definitely a necessary step.

  “I cannot believe she made a fatwit of me,” he muttered to himself as he steered the horse towards the long and winding road towards Weymouth Hall.

  The eleven years he had spent with Emma flashed before his eyes. The moments they’d shared, the places they’d visited, the disagreements they’d had, the children they were blessed with.

  Somehow the memories did not quite feel like his own. He had been betrayed by her, been made a fool of, and he would not stand for it.

  Chapter Six

  Emma’s lips trembled as disgust and anger filled her. She collected her pelisse in the foyer of the hall, unable to enjoy the remainder of the poetry reading after what had occurred.

  She should have followed her instincts and declined Joseph’s invitation. Although she was not guilty of any misbehaviour, she still carried a burden of guilt inside her. Had she not agreed to accompanying him, this would not have happened. Perhaps Joseph would have realised that she did not wish to be alone with him, and that his attentions had been unwelcome.

  Emma inwardly scolded herself for being foolish and giving Joseph the benefit of the doubt. Never again would she allow her good nature and her constant need to see the best in people to blind her to the truth. She was aware of who and what Joseph was, yet she had not possessed the internal fortitude to put him in his place.

  She wrapped herself in her thick pelisse, a chill rising from deep inside her. He had very publicly attempted to kiss her, and there would certainly have been wandering eyes who noticed their encounter. Emma desperately hoped that anyone who did in fact see it, also saw the resulting slap him across the face she’d delivered in anger.

  This would certainly not go well, and if Charles were to hear of it, he would most certainly never speak to her again. Or worse, he may ask her to leave.

  Emma did not mind walking away from the lifestyle she had grown accustomed to, as her father and mother would certainly not shun her if she were asked to leave. It was her children she fretted over most. She did not wish to part with them, even though she had been the one who erred.

  “Your Grace,” she heard Joseph behind her, and although she had no desire to look upon his face, she turned towards him.

  “I sincerely apologise. I do not know what came over me. Perhaps it was the words of the poet who inspired me, or the fact that you agreed to accompany me this evening—”

  Emma raised her hand to tell him to stop and glared at him. “It was a momentous mistake, and I do not wish to hear the excuses for your actions. You ought to know better. I am married to your cousin.”

  “A loveless marriage.”

  “But a marriage, nonetheless. It does not give you the licence to do what you did,” Emma said, clutching her gloves in her hand.

  “Your Grace,” Joseph said and placed his hand on her arm.

  “Do not touch me ever again,” she said. “Now take me home, or I will ask someone else to do so. Would that not have the gossips wagging their tongues even more?”

  “Indeed, Your Grace. We would not want that.”

  Emma ensured that Joseph was kept at an arm’s length while they quietly walked towards the entrance of the building. The foyer was practically empty, as most of the guests had already proceeded inside for the second half of the reading. As Emma moved down the three steps, she noticed the door burst open and much to her surprise, Charles stood there.

  His hair was windswept and his cheeks were red from the cold. Had he ridden his horse here? Impossible.

  A smile formed on her lips and she rushed towards him. When she stopped before him, she noticed his darkened eyes, and he was in more dishevelled state than she’d initially realised. Even his breathing was laboured, as though he’d run a great distance.

  “Charles,” she said with a smile and pecked his cheek with a kiss most suited for a public space.

  Much to her surprise, he simply stared at her, his jaw clenched.

  “Your Grace.”

  Emma cringed as Joseph approached them, and Charles’s eyes darkened even more.

  “Charles, I—”

  Before Emma was able to utter another word, Charles gripped her upper arms and held her away from him. She was a petite woman, and Charles easily moved her to the side, staring angrily at Joseph.

  “Charles,” Joseph said, his face paling as if ill. “What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same question,” Charles said. “Both of you.”

  “Charles, this is merely a misunderstanding—”

  “Please wait for me in Joseph’s carriage,” Charles said to Emma.

  The firm tone in Charles’s voice was one she’d never heard, and Emma didn’t dare disobey him. She felt responsible for this untenable situation and filled with guilt as she nodded quietly.

  “Take my horse back to Finlay Hall,” he spat at Joseph.

  “Charles—”

  “Just do as I say,” Charles said firmly and turned away.

  Charles joined Emma as she made her way to the carriage and gripped her elbow tightly as they walked the remainder of the distance.

  Once they were inside the carriage, an uncomfortable silence fell between them. They were seated opposite one another instead of in their usual positions beside each other, which caused Emma even more discomfort.

  Charles does not meet her gaze, but rather stared out the window, his arms folded angrily across his chest.

  “Charles, I can see you are livid, and you have every reason to be,” Emma said.

  Charles scoffed and continued to stare out of the window.

  “I understand how this may seem inappropriate to you, I truly can. I do, however, think that your response is slightly exaggerated.”

  Charles once again did not respond, and Emma drew in a deep breath.

  “Please look at me.”

  Charles stared at her briefly before he turned away once more, not uttering a word.

  Emma’s eyes filled with tears, but she remained stoic, not wanting Charles to see her in an emotional state.

  After a short while, the carriage arrived at Finlay Hall and Emma wordlessly descended from the vehicle, followed by Charles. Joseph arrived at the estate at the same time, and Emma drew in a deep breath. She was not certain what her husband planned to do, but she hoped he would not send her away.

  “Emma, your bedchamber awaits.”

  Charles’s curt order made her wince, but she understood his anger. She would most certainly have reacted similarly if their roles were reversed. She nodded o
bediently and entered through the front entrance of the house.

  “Joseph, to my study. Now,” Charles said behind her.

  Emma hastily made her way into the manor house and ascended the main stairwell. She fought back tears as best she could, but as soon as she entered her bedchambers, tears streamed down her cheeks.

  ANGRY FOOTSTEPS ECHOED in the hallway as Charles marched towards his study, his hands clenched into tight fists. He was ready to do bodily harm anyone who crossed his path. Sending Emma to her bedchambers was the only solution he had at that moment, as he wished to speak with Joseph first. He was much too angry to be in Emma’s presence. It was highly likely he would say something he would regret.

  Seeing Emma and Joseph at the hall had invoked not only anger from within him, but also an array of emotions with which he was not familiar. He had never been betrayed by Emma in all the time they had been married, and it was unsettling.

  Charles entered his study only to find Joseph sprawled on the sofa, drinking his whiskey. A bitter taste appeared in Charles’ mouth. Did Joseph have no shame in helping himself to things that did not belong to him?

  “Cousin—”

  Charles slammed the door loudly, which made Joseph jump.

  “I am not certain why you are so angry, but I assure you that—”

  Charles marched over to Joseph, grabbed his lapels, and pulled him upright. “What on earth gave you the right to ask my wife to accompany you to the hall, or anywhere for that matter? Have you no respect for me?”

  “It was merely an innocent invitation, which she accepted.”

  “She is my wife and a respectable member of this family and society.”

  “I am aware.”

  Charles released Joseph, which caused him to stumble backwards and he stared wide-eyed at Charles.

  “I never considered you the jealous type, Charles,” Joseph said as he straightened his jacket.

  “Jealous? Do not be absurd. I have no reason to be jealous.”

  “You travelled all the way from London—in record time—which is a clear indication that you considered returning a top priority. Why did you return so hastily? Do you not have to attend Parliamentary meetings this week, as well as the next?”