by Rose Gordon
Drake groaned. “Are you sure? You do realize if I left, it would not only create an even number, but everyone’s arse would be able to rest upon its own cushion.”
“That won’t do,” Sir Wallace said, frowning. “Five is prime. Nothing can divide it. We need to be indivisible. We need to be five.”
Emma’s body stiffened. Was this what her life would always be like if Marcus didn’t choke down his foolish pride? Caroline’s arm looped through hers, her hand lightly squeezing Emma’s arm for assurance. “You don’t have to do this,” Caroline whispered. “Perhaps we could go to Lady Vessey’s ball and look for a more suitable match there.”
“Let’s hire a hack,” Alex suggested quietly. “Most of them are larger than regular carriages. Surely a hack will have enough cushions.”
“Excellent idea,” Sir Wallace cheered. “I knew a scientist like you would be able to solve this terrible conundrum.”
“I’m glad to know my brilliance could be of assistance,” Alex said dryly before walking off to find a hack stand.
“Miss Green, I do hope you don’t mind us taking a less fashionable way to Astley’s. I just cannot be comfortable sharing a cushion, nor would I wish to impose that travesty on another.” Sir Wallace grimaced as he spoke.
“It’s no trouble,” Emma assured him with a stilted smile.
Sir Wallace’s returned smile lit his entire face. He really was a handsome man. He had high cheekbones and rich brown eyes with arching brows the color of coffee. His nose was slim, yet rigid, as were his chin and lips. His face reminded her of a statue she’d once seen at the British Museum.
His clothes were absolutely flawless, too. Emma’s eyes did a quick sweep from his perfectly polished shoes all the way to what she could see of his hat. Not a single piece of lint could be found anywhere on him. Even his walking stick looked perfect. There wasn’t a scratch on the shaft, and what she could see of the handle looked like a perfectly smooth and polished piece of ivory.
“Twelve,” the object of her survey murmured, and Emma blushed lightly at being caught staring at him.
“Pardon?” Caroline asked as Drake rolled his eyes up toward the sky.
“I said twelve. It took twelve strokes with the hot iron to get the pleats perfect,” Sir Wallace explained as if everyone in the group were extraordinarily interested in his pleats.
A hack drove up and Alex opened the door from inside. He climbed down and helped his wife in first, then stood and waited for Sir Wallace to help Emma. Sir Wallace, however, stood fidgeting and looked to Drake then to Alex with pleading eyes.
“I don’t need any help,” Emma said. She stepped closer to the carriage.
Drake’s hand reached out and grabbed her arm. With a murmured apology, he helped her into the carriage then followed her in. “He’s just nervous. Give him a little time.”
Emma nodded and straightened her skirt. She could understand his nervousness. She was nervous, too.
Sir Wallace and Alex came into the carriage with a rigidity Emma couldn’t place. Sir Wallace took the seat across from her, right next to Drake. Alex, who seemed unusually perceptive this evening, cast Sir Wallace an odd look, and then took the last vacant cushion, which just happened to be on the end next to Emma.
The ride to Astley’s was rather uncomfortable as Caroline tried in vain to strike up some sort of conversation. Unfortunately, her attempts were met with indifference or brief answers.
Drake, being the highest ranked gentleman in their party, grumbled as Wallace nudged him to use his rank to get better seats.
“I like this box,” Sir Wallace explained to the group as they walked down the hall to their box. “It offers the best view of the stage, and five chairs can be repositioned to form one row instead of two.”
Behind her, Emma heard Caroline making an unusual choking sound. Twisting her neck a little, she tried to see what was wrong with her friend.
“Here we are,” Drake said, opening the door to the box. “Wallace, why don’t you and Emma take the front row and I’ll sit with Lord and Lady Watson.”
“Oh no,” Wallace exclaimed, pausing right inside the door. “I wouldn’t wish to bring shame on Miss Green that way.”
“What are you talking about?” Drake asked through clenched teeth. “There are three other people in the room. Nobody is going to think a thing of you and Miss Green sitting next to each other at a circus performance.”
“No,” Wallace said. “It only invites trouble. Someone across the room may not see you three, and start nasty rumors about Miss Green. I’ll not have it. Let’s just rearrange the chairs.”
Everyone but Sir Wallace stood back and waited while he arranged the five chairs to his satisfaction. Emma closed her eyes and tried to remind herself that Sir Wallace was a relative of Drake’s, and Drake had been the one to suggest him as a potential match. She may not be overly close with Drake, but she did trust he’d not deliberately cause her harm. Besides, Sir Wallace was handsome and seemed to be more interested in preserving her reputation than any of the other men she’d met since coming to London. That was certainly a point in his favor.
Taking the chair next to Caroline, Emma arranged her skirts and waited for Sir Wallace to sit on the other side of her.
“I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable,” Sir Wallace whispered with a swallow. “I…uh…a few years ago, I inadvertently ruined a young lady’s reputation. Since then, I’ve become more cautious.”
Emma nodded. How in the world does one inadvertently ruin a girl’s reputation? What was more, how did he manage not having to marry her? “I thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
“Think nothing of it,” he said with a shrug. His brown eyes left her face and looked to the stage where an announcer was taking his place in the middle of the stage.
The first half of the performance was filled with performers doing tricks on horses, humorous skits, and the occasional bawdy jest. Next to Emma, Sir Wallace chuckled a few times, but most notably, she noticed he hadn’t been counting like she thought he might do when a juggler came out or when a person holding a lighted candelabrum took center stage. Actually, he was perfectly relaxed. Perhaps Drake was right and he’d just been nervous earlier.
“Why don’t you two go get some refreshments,” Caroline suggested when the curtain dropped for intermission.
Wallace’s face tensed again. “Will you be joining us?”
“No,” Caroline said. “I’m in no need of refreshment. Are you, Alex?”
Alex shook his head.
“Well, I am,” Drake mumbled. He stood and quit the room.
“You don’t need anything, do you?” Sir Wallace asked Emma, two beads of sweat racing down his forehead.
“No, I’ll survive until I get home,” Emma murmured, licking her dry lips. She could really use a glass of lemonade. Her heart twisted in her chest. Lemonade was Marcus’ drink of choice. She clenched her fists and steeled her spine. Why was she even thinking of him when it was becoming more and more clear he didn’t want her?
Sir Wallace visibly relaxed in his chair. “Good. It’s settled then.”
“And people think I’m obtuse,” Alex muttered, dropping his head and digging his fingers in his hair.
“Did you say something?” Sir Wallace asked.
Alex sighed. “Old chap, you were just given an opportunity to be alone with a beautiful woman, and you passed it up. Take her down to the refreshment area and find her something to eat and drink.”
“But she said she wasn’t in need of anything,” Sir Wallace argued.
“She said that because she thought that’s what you wanted her to say,” Caroline pointed out.
“Oh.” Sir Wallace turned quizzical eyes on Emma. “Are you thirsty?”
“A little.”
“All right. You stay here with your chaperone. I’ll be back in a minute with something for you to drink.” Sir Wallace stood up and righted his coat, then picked up his walking stick.
“Take h
er with you,” Alex said as Sir Wallace walked in front of him.
“Pardon?”
“You need to take her with you.” Turning to his wife, Alex said, “Please tell me I did not miss so many subtle opportunities during our courtship.”
“I did not miss so many subtle opportunities during our courtship,” she repeated flawlessly. She winked at him. “You didn’t miss so many, either. In fact, you seemed to take advantage of just about every opportunity you could.”
“Good. Now, Sir Wallace, take Emma downstairs, walk as slowly as you can, and engage her in some sort of conversation.”
Sir Wallace looked at Emma and shifted from one foot to the other. “I would not like to damage her reputation. I think it best if Lady Watson joins us.”
Emma shook her head. It wasn’t going to ruin anyone’s reputation to walk downstairs with a gentleman at a performance. “It’s all right, Sir Wallace.”
“No, it’s not,” Caroline butted in. “Nobody is going to think anything improper is happening.”
“Yes, but I promised I’d not be more than just a few seconds alone with her,” Sir Wallace said. “I cannot in good conscience break that promise.”
“Yes, you can,” Caroline said flippantly. “Now, you two go downstairs and don’t come back up until you have a tray of drinks for Alex and me.”
Emma smiled. She’d never seen Caroline so assertive. She rather liked it. She’d finally learned to speak her mind. After years of putting up with Olivia and her rotten demeanor, Caroline deserved to command some respect. “Let’s go,” Emma chirped. She walked to Sir Wallace and placed her hand on his arm.
Taking a minute to wipe the sweat off his brow with his handkerchief, Sir Wallace led her out of the room. In the hall, Emma sighed. Her escort was counting all the wall sconces they passed.
Rounding the corner to go down the stairs, Sir Wallace froze, and his face instantly went as pale as his cravat.
“What’s wrong?” Emma whispered.
“Wallace,” a shrill voice trilled.
Emma snapped her head around to see a beautiful woman with dark black hair piled high atop her head. She wore a sparkling red dress and had the face of an angel. Tearing her eyes from the beautiful woman, Emma looked once again at a deathly still Sir Wallace.
“Won’t you introduce me to your light-o-love?” the woman asked, batting her eyelashes at Sir Wallace.
Sir Wallace tried to clear his throat. Then again. And again. Finally, on the fourth try, he cleared it enough to form a few uneven words. “Lady Silverton, this is Miss Emma Green. Miss Green, this is Lady Silverton.”
Emma tried her best to do a perfect curtsy in front of the marchioness. She’d heard of Lady Silverton before. She had several characteristics in common with Louise. One of which was the fact she was known among the ton for being engaged to a gentleman and jilting him in favor of a man with more wealth and a higher title.
Emma’s head snapped back to Sir Wallace. He was the man she’d jilted! A wave of sympathy for Sir Wallace washed over her. She squeezed his arm.
Lady Silverton looked Emma up and down then pursed her lips. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you finally found my replacement. Though I admit I still dream of the day I can marry you after Silverton cocks up his toes, but I suppose an affair will have to suffice.”
Emma’s eyes grew wide. “Excuse me?”
Lady Silverton flashed her a superior smile. “You didn’t think Wallace would be faithful to you, did you?”
Emma didn’t answer. She just stared at the addled woman in front of her.
“Oh, you did,” Lady Silverton said in mock sympathy. “Dearest, you must understand those vows men take at their wedding mean nothing. After you produce the heir, they won’t mean anything to you, either, I expect.”
Looking to Sir Wallace, Emma realized he still hadn’t found his voice. She stiffened her spine. “Lady Silverton,” she began in a sharp whisper so nobody would overhear, “your husband might stray from you regularly and you may cuckold him with anyone you please, but I have no intention of being untrue to my husband, and I honestly believe he’ll keep his vows to me.”
Lady Silverton took in a sharp intake of air. “Is that so?” she asked nastily. “Well, you have a lot to learn. I suspect Wallace will be out of your bed and into mine before midnight on your wedding night.”
“I don’t think so,” Emma said proudly. “Why would he want an old, tired woman like you, when he could have me?” Emma’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she realized exactly what she’d just said and to whom.
Not three feet behind Lady Silverton’s shoulder, Drake stood with an odd expression on his face, as if he, too, realized she had just as good as publicly announced she was engaged to a perfect stranger.
Chapter 20
“I’m sure Sir Wallace will release you from the engagement,” Caroline said, sitting down on Emma’s bed. “He knew this was all a charade from the start, didn’t he?”
Emma shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. He may count everything, but at least he’s better than some of the other men I could have become engaged to.” She shuddered just thinking of who else she might have been forced to marry.
“You’re just saying that. I know you’re still hurt about Marcus’ rejection, but that doesn’t mean you need to make yourself miserable for the rest of your life.”
Whirling around to face her friend, Emma put her brush down with a hard clank on the bureau. “What makes you think I’m going to be miserable?”
Caroline crossed her arms. “Don’t pretend with me, Emma. I’ll admit I had no idea you ever had feelings for Marcus—I mean at one time I thought you might, but I’d convinced myself otherwise…” She shook her head. “What I’m saying is, just because Marcus seems to have some misguided notion regarding your future doesn’t mean you need to make yourself suffer more than you already are by being denied the one you want. Pick someone else. You and Sir Wallace are not a good match.”
“I can’t pick someone else. I’ve already become unofficially betrothed to Sir Wallace.”
“Yes, that’s what I heard,” Caroline said dryly. “You just couldn’t ignore her, could you?”
Emma sat down on the bed next to Caroline and smiled ruefully. “No, I couldn’t. But that matters naught. I would have accepted his suit anyway had Marcus not come to his senses, which, we both know was doubtful to begin with.”
“You really would have accepted his proposal?” Caroline asked. “He’s a little odd, don’t you think?”
Nodding, Emma brought her knees up to her chest and rested her feet on the edge of the mattress. “That he is. But if you look on the positive—and slightly ironic—side, we’ll both be married to very logical men. That’ll be helpful when we get together for house parties and such.”
Caroline tucked a long lock of her dark hair behind her ear. “I suppose that counts for something,”
“Anyway,” Emma cut in as she hugged her knees tighter to her chest. “I don’t think he’ll always be so stiff.”
Caroline snorted.
Sighing, Emma shook her head. “You know what I meant.”
“Yes, I did,” Caroline admitted. “But I hope for your sake he is stiff after the wedding.”
Emma twisted her lips. That was probably the worst thing about marrying Sir Wallace. She had no desire to go to bed with him. Though he seemed nice enough, she didn’t relish the thought of performing the acts described in Lady Bird’s Ladybird Memoir with him. With Marcus, yes. Absolutely. Without question. With Sir Wallace? Not really. Likely he’d be nervous and start counting his movements. She grimaced. That would certainly kill any enjoyment she could possibly have with him. Not that she anticipated any in the first place.
“Caroline,” Emma said softly after several minutes of uninterrupted silence.
“Yes?”
“Do you think Marcus will change his mind now?”
Caroline’s blue eyes held her gaze, but in them, Emma saw th
e same uncertainty and doubt she feared herself. “I don’t know,” Caroline whispered. “Since you won’t tell me the reason he sent you away, I cannot give an honest opinion.”
Emma swallowed. “I can’t tell you. It’s his secret, not mine.”
“I know,” Caroline acknowledged. “And I don’t expect you to break his trust by telling me. But that’s the problem, Emma. If I don’t know, I can’t give you advice. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Emma mumbled. She leaned her face forward to rest her forehead on the soft blue fabric of her nightrail that was stretched across her raised knees. “Do you think Alex could talk to him?”
“He could.” Caroline reached her fingers over to brush a lock of hair out of Emma’s eyes. “But don’t expect anything to come of it. Marcus can be just as stubborn as you sometimes, and even though I love Alex more than anyone, he’s not exactly the most convincing man who ever lived.”
Emma smiled. “He’s not going to treat it like an experiment, is he?” Caroline had the right of it when she claimed Alex wasn’t the most convincing man there ever was. He was the kind who conducted a courtship like a science experiment rather than just being straightforward and spending the lowly fifteen minutes it would have taken for him to convince Caroline to marry him.
Shrugging, Caroline flashed her a lopsided smile. “Perhaps he should. Last time produced some rather favorable results, if I do say so myself.”
“I just hope it works out just as favorably this time.”
“I’ll ask Alex to speak to him the day after tomorrow.”
Emma’s arms instinctively tightened around her knees. She’d temporarily forgotten the breakfast Caroline was hosting on the morrow. Sir Wallace would be there, naturally. Perhaps she could persuade him not to ask Alex to make a formal announcement until after Alex had a chance to speak with Marcus.
As if reading her thoughts, Caroline delicately placed her hand on Emma’s wrist, and said, “I’ll ask Alex to refuse to make the announcement tomorrow. Balls are so much more fun to announce engagements anyway. Perhaps next week at the Townsons’ ball we can have the formal announcement.”
