“Yes, that is what I like about the arts, as well,” Emilia replied thoughtfully. “It’s a common interest that has nothing to do with money.”
“Oh, I would argue that point,” Simon said with a laugh. “It very much has something to do with money. If I told you what one of Kingsley’s paintings sells for, you’d be shocked.”
“Yes, I did sense that. Montgomery House was not purchased with paintbrushes.”
“If you ask me, I think it’s a just price for fine art.”
“Do you?” Emilia asked.
“Certainly. Think of how much it truly enhances a superb artist not to have to worry about money. To live comfortably and only focus on bettering his skill. Kingsley shall never want for money the rest of his life, and it only enhances his talent.”
“I do see your point,” Emilia replied. “You are a very wise man,” she added with a smile.
“I don’t know that I’m wise. I merely see things clearly.”
“Aren’t those one and the same?”
Emilia’s presence was intoxicating in so many ways. She was kind, good-natured, and endlessly flattered Simon, which he had to admit, was a pleasant feeling. Memories from the night before when he sketched Emilia kept returning. He’d never forget how the candlelight danced across her beautiful face.
After she had left, it was all Kingsley could talk about; Emilia’s beauty. At first, Simon found it frustrating because he wanted Emilia’s beauty to be for no eyes but his own. Then, it was that same pride that swelled within him. But why should Simon feel pride? She wasn’t his true fiancée.
Momentary guilt struck as Simon realized that he was lying to some of his closest acquaintances. Everyone was delighting in Emilia’s charm and wit, and Simon was feeling the pride of a future husband, but none of this was real. What was to happen to them? Was Simon weaving a web that he could never escape from?
It was then that Simon realized that he had not thought about Lady Susana for one moment. That was the whole point of them being at the Sheffield ball, and Simon had forgotten that. Just for good measure, Simon looked around the room to see if he could discover her, but to no avail. Perhaps it was for the best if Lady Susana did not make an appearance, for Simon was intent upon enjoying Emilia’s company without distraction.
“What are you thinking of?” Emilia asked, seeing that Simon was deep in thought.
“My sketch of you.”
“Oh, heavens,” Emilia replied, turning away as though embarrassed.
“It’s going to be the greatest portrait in British history,” Simon teased.
“Oh, come now,” Emilia protested, bringing a hand up to her flushed cheek.
“I do not jest. It will sell for thousands.”
“And you will be a rich man,” Emilia replied.
“I will be a rich man; that much is sure. But, no, I will not sell the painting of you.”
“Why is that?” Emilia asked, her eyes searching his.
“Because it will go on my own wall,” Simon said with a smile. It was then that Simon feared that he was giving too much away. There were two roles that he had to play: Emilia’s fake fiancé, and the man pretending to be her fiancé who needed to conceal his true feelings. If that wasn’t confusing, then Simon didn’t know what was.
Just then, Simon turned to the front entrance and there, in a shocking red gown, was Lady Susana on the arm of whom Simon assumed to be the Spanish prince, for his attire was not British in the slightest. As the couple passed through the entrance hall, there were deep bows and curtsies.
“Bloody hell,” Simon said under his breath.
“Is everything all right?” Emilia asked.
“Lady Susana is here,” Simon said, his jaw knit. “With the prince,” he added sarcastically.
“Well, this is good, is it not?” Emilia asked, concern written on her face.
“I’m unsure,” Simon replied.
He was filled with anger and didn’t know why. Thoughts of Lady Susana had blissfully disappeared in Emilia’s presence, but now, all of those old emotions were bubbling back up to the surface. And why shouldn’t they? That woman had betrayed him in the most horrible fashion. What kind of a tyrant does it take to lead a man on and then take a fiancé behind his back? Who cares if he was of lowly birth? That kind of conduct was reprehensible in any situation.
“It’s going to be all right,” Emilia said, bringing a hand up to Simon’s chest to steady him. Simon paused. The feeling of her hand over his heart instantly calmed him, but he was also filled with longing; something that he was fighting hard not to think of.
He knew from the start that he was deeply attracted to Emilia, but things had escalated to another level the evening before when he was sketching her. All kinds of carnal thoughts came to mind, and although most men would indulge in such things, Simon felt a tinge of shame. Emilia did not deserve such tawdry ideations. Simon had too much respect for her. But still, he could not help his mind from wandering where it would.
“Yes, I’m sure I will manage to compose myself,” Simon finally said, looking deep into Emilia’s eyes.
“Come,” she said, leading him towards the dance floor. “We could use a bit of distraction, could we not?”
As he was being led, Simon couldn’t help looking back once more to Lady Susana. She had plastered a smile across her face and Simon thought it untruthful. Was Lady Susana genuinely happy with the arrangement?
Although he was quite convinced that he was going to read her letter over and over, Emilia had arrived at Montgomery House the evening before and provided the perfect distraction for the rest of the night. The letter remained untouched on the desk in Simon’s room. But now, he thought of that letter once more, and it only added to his ire. How dare she say the things that she had said? Simon was convinced that the woman was a witch.
“You’re still thinking about it,” Emilia said as soon as they reached the dance floor.
“I admit that I am,” Simon replied, looking down towards the ground.
“Let’s do our best to make a good show of things,” Emilia said just as the music began.
It was a simple country dance, as was the fashion in London ballrooms, and just like the dances that they shared at the Crawford estate, Simon found that elation quickly took over and he was lighter.
The heaviness that Lady Susana had brought into the room felt like a great weight upon his shoulders, and all at once, it was lifted. He could see that Emilia was no less enthusiastic about the dance, with its spirited music leading the way.
Once that dance was done, another tune was played and this was a slower, more intimate dance. To dance with the same woman twice was a social faux pas, but considering that Emilia was his fiancée, it was entirely acceptable. They circled around one another, looking into each other’s eyes, and Simon saw hope there.
How was it so easy to forget about his cares as soon as Emilia caught his attention? Looking around the room, Simon spotted Lady Susana looking his way, a frown upon her face. Let her frown all that she wished; it was not Simon’s concern. She deserved to wear a frown for the rest of her days.
“Isn’t this tune pleasing?” Emilia said dreamily.
“It’s soft as a cloud,” Simon replied.
“There was a time when I wanted to be a musician, but I didn’t have the skill for it.”
“Music and painting are held up in competition, but they aren’t in the slightest,” Simon said.
“And why is that? I always thought music the more universal, the more noble of the two.”
“Great artists inspire great musicians, and great musicians inspire great artists. They should always encourage one another.”
“That does make sense.”
“Imagine working on a painting whilst listening to one of Mozart’s symphonies. You’d be able to paint a whole new Sistine Chapel!” Simon said.
“So true!” Emilia said with a laugh.
As the dance continued, both Simon and Emilia found th
at there was no more need to speak. They were too enraptured. When the song came to an end, both Simon and Emilia stood still in front of one another. Emilia was the first to speak.
“There’s something that I don’t understand,” Emilia said.
“And what’s that?”
“How it is that a woman can turn you down? Even if it’s for a prince.”
“There are plenty of reasons for a woman to turn me down,” Simon said in self-deprecation.”
“But to do what she did! It seems monstrous.”
“I think that what was truly monstrous was done to you,” Simon replied, thinking of Lord Pendergast and grateful that he hadn’t spotted the fellow. After hearing the full story, Simon was afraid of what he might do to the Duke of Westmoreland.
“Oh, let’s not compare our mistreatment,” Emilia said, and Simon watched as she looked over his shoulder. “Is that Lady Susana? Over there?”
Simon turned and looked in the direction where Emilia was pointing. When he turned back to her, his brow was knit. “That is she,” Simon replied.
“Well, she is a beautiful woman,” Emilia said. “I’m not entirely sure about the prince,” she added.
“Ha!” Simon replied, having not fully assessed the man’s appearance yet. In fact, Simon didn’t wish to ever see the chap again.
“Come over here,” Emilia said, grasping Simon’s arm.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“I wish to be in their eye-line.”
“What for?”
“To carry out the plan,” Emilia said in hushed tones. “Just relax and trust me.”
“I can trust you, but I’m having difficulty relaxing,” Simon admitted.
Once they were in close proximity to Lady Susana and her prince, Simon watched as a vindicated smile came to Emilia’s lips.
“What is it?” he asked.
“She’s scowling at me,” Emilia replied.
“And that makes you happy?” Simon asked with an exasperated laugh.
“Very much so,” Emilia replied.
“What do we do now?”
Emilia was deep in thought for a moment. “I’m not entirely sure.”
“This is your grand plan?” Simon asked, teasing her.
“It seemed like a rather good idea, but now I’m seeing that it just fell flat.”
“Should we laugh and carry on like we’re having the greatest time of our lives?” Simon quipped.
“Aren’t we, though?” Emilia asked, and she had a point. Simon was having the time of his life, and from the look on Emilia’s face, he could sense that it was the same for her.
“Perhaps we should begin to weep with happiness.”
“Fall upon the floor weeping!” Emilia said, unable to conceal her infectious laughter.
“You can place your hand upon your belly, as though you’re with child,” Simon said, knowing that it was a daring joke to make, but Emilia had a remarkable sense of humour.
“Oh, do stop!” Emilia protested. “I’m going to keel over with laughter.”
And so, the two of them found themselves behaving like giggling children, until Simon watched as Emilia because quite serious.
“I have a better plan,” she finally said.
“Do tell.”
“Do you see that hallway there?” Emilia asked, nodding her head. “We are to make our way there in haste.”
“And then what happens?” Simon asked, excitement filling him.
“Let me take care of that,” Emilia replied.
And so, Simon took Emilia’s hand and forcefully led her towards the hall with great urgency. Once they were in the secluded hall, not only could Simon see that they were still within Lady Susana’s view, but she was also pursuing them where they stood.
“Quickly,” Emilia said, looking up at Simon, and he wondered what it was that they were supposed to do quickly. Within a moment, he found out. Emilia pulled Simon in so that his chest was pressed against hers, then she brought her hand around his neck. Emilia pulled Simon towards her, and his lips were immediately upon hers.
Although they were laughing and carrying on but moments before, being playful with one another, there was nothing lighthearted about that kiss that they shared. All at once Simon felt a grave seriousness come over him, as though he had entered the palace of a revered goddess. His whole body responded to the feeling of Emilia’s lips, and before he knew it, Simon had wrapped his arms around her and felt the totality of her body. Against his chest he could feel her curves, and within his arms was her slender waist.
Simon had been holding back his carnal thoughts, but at that moment, the floodgates were let loose. All sorts of images, desires, and needs coursed through him, and Simon wished that they were entirely alone so that he could do to Emilia what his body craved. Time stood still. Simon did not know for how long the kiss lasted, but when Emilia pulled away, Simon was sure that he had not had enough.
He leaned in yet again, entreating for another kiss, and he received it; just as intoxicating as the first. His heart beat wildly, but Simon did not feel flustered. On the contrary, he was in a trance-like state of bliss. When he pulled away after the second kiss, it still wasn’t enough, but to go any further would be to undo him. Thoughts of Lady Susana had disappeared. He was sure that she had seen the entire scene, but he wasn’t willing to look down the hall and discover her. All that he wished to do was look into Emilia’s eyes.
***
Emilia was under a spell. She was sure of it. The feeling of his strong arms around her and his remarkable smell. She had never felt such feelings before in her life. There was an intense desire to leave that place with Simon at once. But of course, doing so would be impossible considering the presence of Rose and Hortensia, and what’s more, society dictated that such a thing was morally reprehensible.
Still, to be alone with Simon, in a dark, secret place. What things would he do to her? What would they experience together? The events of the marriage bed were mildly understood by Emilia, but of course, not fully known. It was a whole world of mystery that she anticipated discovering. But never before had she stopped to really consider it until Simon James came into her life.
Had he put a spell on her? For that’s what it felt like. Emilia was in a daze and could think of nothing else but him and the two kisses that they had just shared. The idea seemed playful, at first; as though they might pull it off and feel triumphant afterwards.
But the sensations that arose were quite unexpected and left Emilia in confusion. How could she feel such things for the man that was pretending to be her future husband? And alas, why were they even pretending when Emilia had such strong urges and sensations?
Emilia stepped back, thinking that it was time for her to breathe and clear her head. Everything was so confusing and delicious at the same time. Did Simon share the same feelings as she was having? From the manner in which he kissed her, she suspected that he did. And if that was the case, how were they to carry out their plan whilst in love with one another?
Chapter 11
Simon was unsure about what was to happen next. He finally looked down the hall and found Lady Susana standing there, her cheeks flushed and brows knit. Quickly, Lady Susana crossed her arms along her chest and turned on her heel in a huff. So, their plan was a success after all, but there was one remaining problem in wake of the kiss; Simon was unsure if he still had the use of his legs. In order to regain control of himself, he resorted to humour.
The Wild Passion of an Eccentric Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 12
