Was it by accident or had he done it on purpose to see what kind of reaction he got from her?
She did her best to school her features, but failed when they touched again. She could feel her heart pounding and wondered if it beat so loudly that either Laura or Simon could hear. Carefully, she lifted her eyes and was surprised to see the faintest hint of a blush on his cheeks.
The landau jolted forward, and their knees touched again, this time her face warmed. Using her parasol, she tried to hide, but from the duchess she couldn’t.
“My dear, see what I meant from our earlier conversation. If this is the kind of effect you have on each other, then he’ll make sure you both stay safe,” Laura spoke softly from behind her fan.
Emma smiled and nodded her understanding then relaxed, enjoying the ride into the village.
“Ladies, since we’ll be dining at the Drunken Traveller, I’ve directed the coachman to leave us near where we wish to shop then proceed there. However, the footmen, along with one of the grooms will remain with us.”
Approaching the dress shop, the carriage came to a halt. She waited while Simon climbed down then assisted his mother first then her.
“Shall we meet at the tavern at noon as I have an appointment this afternoon?” Emma suggested.
She accepted Simon’s nod as one of agreement.
“Now, off you go, as Lady Emma and I plan to spend lots of your money,” Laura said, summarily dismissing him.
Once he was making his way down the walkway to his tailor, they stepped into the dressmaker’s shop.
“Was it necessary to be so harsh with him? Did you see his expression, like a puppy who’d been caught chewing the master’s slipper?”
“Yes it was. If I hadn’t been firm with him, he would have kept us standing in the street until it was time to eat. We ladies need to have a firm hand with our men when it comes to shopping. As much as they love seeing us in the gowns we buy, they hate parting with their blunt.”
Emma was about to respond when Mrs. Wallace entered the main room of her salon.
“Your Grace is quite correct, m’ lady. Now, what can we do for you on this lovely morning?” she announced.
Since Laura was senior, Emma stepped back so the two ladies could speak without seeming as if she was eavesdropping, until she heard a gasp from Mrs. Wallace. The dressmaker turned and looked directly at Emma.
“Lady Emma, congratulations. Even though it’s not customary for the bride to have a new gown made for the occasion, it would be my honor if you allowed me to.”
Now she was in a bind, since the duchess had mentioned it to the woman. Emma knew there were several gowns in her suite which would be more than suitable for the day but maybe, just this once, she’d have one specially made.
“As we haven’t set the exact date, I’m sure there’s ample time to create the perfect gown. It will also give me a chance to look at fashion plates to see if I can find something I like.”
“If you wish, m’ lady, I can look through some of the plates I have from La Belle Assemblée and send along the designs that would look best on you. In the meantime, you should start thinking which color you’d like.”
“That might be for the best. We can scatter them around and drive His Grace crazy wondering what they’re for and why I have them. Now, I need, according to him, several more riding habits. Since I’ve already a few which are comfortable to wear this time of year, when the weather turns chilly they won’t work.”
“I have just received several new bolts of wool which would make very nice outfits. Shall we look at them and decide what colors you’d like?” Mrs. Wallace asked.
Emma then had a thought. From the tenant calls she’d made, and visits to different shops in the village, she knew there were several families with the same surname of Wallace.
“Mrs. Wallace, do you by any chance have a daughter named Celia?”
“I do. Did she do something wrong? I know she has an admirer named Seeley.”
“Fear not, dear lady, but she’s done something very right. Is she here as I wish to speak with her?”
“She is. While you’re looking over the bolts, I’ll get her.”
Once the dressmaker disappeared into the back of the shop, Emma peered over to Laura who was smiling.
“That was very well done. Now you two may speak where she will feel comfortable,” Laura declared.
“Thank you. It was a spur of the moment thought and seems to have worked out. We can all sit around while selecting the colors even though I do have an idea which would be the best.”
Laura was about to say something when Mrs. Wallace returned with a young lady in tow. Right off, Emma knew Celia and Seeley would pair perfectly. The girl was about Emma’s height and walked with a self-assurance few of her age would have. With her dark eyes and black hair giving her an exotic look, Emma was surprised none of the other young men hadn’t tried for her hand. The dress, although simple, complimented her slimness.
“Your Grace, Lady Emma, my daughter Celia.”
Emma waited while the girl gave a deep curtsey to Laura. Being called, unexpectedly into the presence of the duchess, she noticed the girl was nervous which didn’t come as a shock. Emma had to get Celia to relax so they could talk. Then she realized there really was only one question she needed to ask, and the answer would decide if Seeley could call on the young lady. Even though she couldn’t look into the girl’s heart, Emma could look into her eyes which would tell her everything she wished to know.
“Celia, it has come to our attention there’s a certain staff member who wishes to call on you. Since he’s employed by His Grace, this person needs his permission before he can formally make his addresses to you. My question to you is, do you share an affection with Guy Seeley as he does with you?”
Even before Celia verbalized her answer Emma saw there was a total and undeniable love in her eyes.
“Yes, m’ lady, I do. He means the world to me.”
“Thank you for your honesty. You may return to your duties,” Emma directed.
With another deep curtsey, Celia quietly slipped out of the room, allowing Emma to turn her attention to the bolts of cloth. After a few minutes she had chosen three which would be perfect for the winter, especially Christmastime.
“As you already have my measurements, why not start on them, and when you need me for a fitting send a note,” she told a still beaming Mrs. Wallace.
“Certainly. I’ll wait until all three are ready so you won’t need to make unnecessary trips.”
“That’s very much appreciated, and I can expect the plates within the next few days?”
“Most definitely. I’ll look through them this afternoon with Celia’s assistance. You should have the first ones by the morrow,” Mrs. Wallace uttered.
“Thank you. Now we must go as His Grace is meeting us at the Drunken Traveller for luncheon. Also, inform Celia knows she’s not required to come to the palace later as we’ve had the interview.”
“I will make sure she’s aware, and enjoy your luncheon,” Mrs. Wallace declared.
With a subtle nod to Laura, they stepped out of the shop and were met by the footmen.
“Follow several paces behind as we wish to converse in private,” she ordered. Emma was happy when the footmen stepped back as told.
When they arrived at the tavern, Emma saw Simon standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms across his chest. Oh, that chest, I can’t wait to snuggle up against him. Just the thought made her cheeks turn warm.
“My dear, your reaction on seeing him standing like that, arrogant and demanding, is quite normal. I pray the pink in your cheeks disappears before we get close enough for him to notice.”
“So do I.”
As she approached, she watched him straighten, his jaw softening some as he moved toward her.
“How was your visit to the dressmaker? Did you leave me a few coppers?” he teased.
“Only one or two. It turns ou
t the young lady of Seeley’s fancy is Mrs. Wallace’s daughter, and from what I could tell, they are very much in love,” Laura told him.
“That’s good news, and I have also learned something, but will save this for luncheon.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Ladies, there’s no easy way to say this, but the previous information regarding the gypsies occupying the huts turns out to be false,” Simon declared.
“What do you mean?” his mother asked.
“When I was coming out of my tailor’s, I ran into the Swanson boy. Not the older one, the little one, and he told me he saw a funny looking person hanging around one of the huts. Not wanting to frighten him any more than he already was, I asked him to continue.”
“Let me guess, the man had red hair and his ears stuck out from the sides of his head,” Emma interjected.
“Yes, but there’s more. I learned from the boy the other person is a woman. The young lad said he knew because she was wearing a dress, and these are his words not mine, ’I could see bumps on her chest’.”
“Simon, how old is this boy? Not only that, but how was he able to get close enough to see without being seen?” Emma said.
“He’s about six years old, and the family has permission to hunt on the ducal land,” Simon stated.
“Yes, I know that does sound very unusual. Simply put, the Swanson boy’s grandfather saved Simon’s grandfather. As a thank you, the duke decreed, in writing, that the family had carte blanche to hunt on the lands. They are allowed to take ten rabbits and five pheasants a month. Among other things, this does help keep the land from being overrun by the animals, thus reducing the amount of feed available,” his mother added.
“If they find someone, other than gypsies, on the property they are required to inform us at once. I can only hazard the boy learned I was in the village and sought me out.”
He had a few questions, but at this time didn’t want to hunt down the answers for fear of upsetting Emma.
The one which stood foremost in his mind was, how did the girl get over the river, or did she calmly ride through the village. This he’d have to look into upon returning to the palace.
“Simon, I recognise that look, and don’t even think of going after them without help,” Emma declared.
“My dear, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. I may have fought against the French and survived, but something tells me these people are even more dangerous. Except for this little bit of intelligence, we know nothing about them. Until we do, we need to leave them alone.”
“Even if this means they continue to come after you and Emma?” Laura uttered.
This was the one question he didn’t have an answer to except to maintain the same level of safety. He only hoped Emma, more than his mother, would agree with him.
“Right now, I feel everything is being done to protect us. Since we now know where they are hiding out, I’m seriously thinking of having a watch kept over the hut.”
“Pardon me, but I don’t understand. Why can’t you send in the authorities and have them arrested?” Emma said.
“Other than a very vague description of Justin, right now the only thing they’re doing wrong is living on the ducal land without permission. All that would warrant is a fine. We need to catch them, and I’m sorry to say this, as they try to shoot either you or me. Only then would we have the strength to have them hanged,” he explained.
Simon could tell from the way Emma half-heartedly ate her stew that she wasn’t happy. “Will I be able to ride Marigold in the ring under the watchful eye of Richmond? What about the tenant visits? They need to continue.”
“I see no reason why you can’t ride your mare. Don’t forget between the ring and woods not even the best sniper could make the shot. As for the visits, we will continue with them, under one condition.”
“Let me guess, no thrusting a screaming baby at you,” Emma teased.
“You’re partially correct. But remember, what I mentioned yesterday, I have to be seated and only then you may hand the baby to me.”
Her silly grin told him one thing, he was in trouble, and at the first chance she would have him hold a little one.
“Wonderful, so with that settled, shall we finish our luncheon as I need to rest. I also suspect someone wishes to ride their little mare,” Laura declared.
With the meal finished, he guided Emma and his mother from the tavern where they were met by the landau.
On the trip back Simon made sure his knees didn’t come in contact with Emma’s as he wished her calm and collected, considering what he was going to request. First though he needed to speak with Richmond, and depending on the man’s answer he’d talk with Emma. He was also surprised that neither of the ladies were talking, even about their visit to the dressmaker.
As the landau rolled into the courtyard, he looked to see who met them. Both butlers. He expected Seeley was there to get a report from the footmen sent along with them.
After Simon helped the ladies down he settled his hand on Emma’s back and felt a tingle race up his arm, an ever increasing feeling that he enjoyed deeply. Guiding her into the palace and up to the first floor, he wasn’t surprised when she continued up one more set of stairs and stopped half way.
“I’ll be resting for about an hour, then change into my habit if you wish to watch me ride,” she declared.
“Thank you. I’d very much love to see you put Marigold through a few dressage moves again. Shall I notify Richmond?”
“Yes, please.”
As she continued up, he studied her, as was becoming his habit of late. The gentle sway of her hips and the occasional peek at her lower leg, which was partially hidden by her walking shoes, made parts of his body harden. He much preferred to see her in satin slippers as they helped to emphasize the slimness of her ankles.
Once she arrived at the second floor, he marched into his office as he wanted to again look over the estate map. He also had to send a note to his game master letting the man know what he’d learned from the Swanson boy. Entering, Simon went to the sidebar then changed his mind knowing nothing would quench the ache in his body for Emma.
If he didn’t marry her soon he was going to go mad at not being able to touch, hold, and caress her as she deserved. He turned and marched over to the mahogany table where the unrolled map was still open.
Slowly, he studied the area where the huts the gypsies used were located. The only way in, that he could see, was a narrow track barely wide enough for a cart. Looking to another, more familiar area, Simon easily picked out different horse trails. He then returned to study the area around the huts to make sure he’d not missed anything.
Cursing, he flexed his hands. There was no way someone could casually ride past except along the cart path, and that wouldn’t work. Simon thought back to what the young Swanson boy had told him. “I done sneaked in from the river along a gully which no one knows about.”
That was the answer to his problem. Of course this landmark wasn’t on the map, but that would be enough information for his game master to find and follow.
He smiled with great satisfaction and strolled over to his desk. Taking out a sheet of foolscap, he quickly scribbled off a note to the man. As he didn’t think anything was planned for tomorrow, of course with Emma he had no clue what she’d want to do. Simon had told the man to stop over any time after ten in the morning.
Simon leaned back in the chair and did something very ‘unducalish’. He propped his feet on the corner of the desk, took a deep breath, and relaxed for the first time in several hours.
This gave him time to really think about how to bring Justin Beaumont and this unknown woman down. Every time he thought about having someone watch over them, he felt he should be involved. Then, he would think back to his promise to not only Emma, but his mother, to remain safe.
With the years he’d spent in the army, especially the Guards where action spoke louder than words, then having been thrust into being the du
ke, nothing helped with his dilemma. There was a time when he’d throw a leg over Mars and lead his men into the thick of the battle. Now, with heavier responsibility, he had to sit back and let others do his fighting for him. Just this fact alone didn’t sit well with him, a man whose sword spoke louder than words. But what was he to do?
Never one to retreat, he wondered if this might be the first time he had to. But where and how? Where could he take Emma and his mother where they would be safe? This thought settled heavily on his mind. A movement outside the door distracted him, bringing Simon to his feet.
Instinctively, he started for the crossed sabers on the near wall, ready to repel an attack, when Emma stepped into the doorway.
“A little nervous, are we?” Emma’s eyes widened. “Personally I don’t blame you, considering how easily these people can move about,” she declared.
“I’d hate to admit it, but I am, even to the point of having footmen stationed at each end of the corridors and at the different entry points.”
Simon could see a little sadness in her eyes, and he believed he knew why. “Would you hate to be stuck inside?” Even he didn’t like that idea, and it would show everyone these people controlled them. This he would not allow.
“No, not unless you forbade me to ride Marigold or do the tenant visits, then I would. As for going to town, that I can put on hold.”
“Thank you for your honesty. Except for a few additional guards, life will continue as usual. To that end, shall we see how that little mare of yours does with the half-pass today?” he declared.
When he saw her shoulders relax, he smiled.
“Yes. I also want to see if she knows how to do a passage. I love how it feels when they can execute a movement flawlessly. It’s the blending of rider and horse in perfect harmony.”
Offering her his arm, a shiver ran up his veins, warming his skin. His hand tingled when she laced her fingers with his. He suspected she had the same experience, considering how the corners of her lips curled up.
Making their way down the stairs to the ground floor, Simon opened the heavy wooden door and let the sunlight float in upon him. Combined with his internal emotions of being near Emma, he had a deep, overwhelming desire to take her in his arms. Something told him these feelings would only get stronger and stay that way for years to come. This was all the more reason he needed to bring an end to those hunting him and his Emma.
The Duke's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 1) Page 21
