“Not mention it? What do you mean?”
“Well, my son had this notion of testing her love for him, and so proposed to her while he was still in the guise of a curate. Emily refused, for whatever reason, but now he’s convinced she acted from mercenary motives. I think it will take him a little while to cool off and approach her again.”
Lady Smithfield could not quite comprehend what the duke was saying. Of course Emily had refused a curate. She was surprised her daughter had acted with such good sense. It was unfortunate, of course, that the young man had later turned out to be a marquess, but Emily could not have known such a thing at the time. Why Lord Wesleigh would hold such a thing against her daughter was something she could not understand. However, the duke reminded her that she had promised to let the young couple pursue their courtship without interference, so she agreed to be patient for a little while longer.
Chapter Thirteen
Lydia sought Emily out after Sedgewick had left, eager to tell her all the details of his proposal and her acceptance. Emily, despite her own unhappiness, managed to show her genuine joy at her sister’s engagement, and listened unselfishly to every minute detail. She was sure Sedgewick was happy as well, but suspected he would have been happier if he had had to overcome further obstacles in his pursuit of Lydia. Emily was beginning to think he enjoyed being the object of a tragic love affair far more than a happy one.
Lydia was so preoccupied with her own happiness that it was some time before she realized that there was something troubling her sister. Gradually, however, as the first rush of confidences subsided, she began to notice that her sister was quieter than usual, and that her smiles, while sincere, had a wistful quality about them. Emily was relieved to be asked what was troubling her, and described the whole sorry business from start to finish.
“So, that is that,” she finished, with resignation. “He will have nothing more to do with me, and how can I blame him? He thinks me another Lady Cynthia.”
“But, Emily, I am sure if you just explained why you refused him—”
“How would he ever believe me? No, the time to tell him was the night of my rescue. I hesitated, and now I am lost.”
“I cannot believe that he has ceased to love you. I am sure he would be relieved to hear your explanation.”
“Perhaps. I feel, however, that I have lost him irrevocably. There is no warmth in his regard any longer, not like there was. And then, after my foolish behavior in traveling unaccompanied after dark, he probably thinks my actions completely inexplicable. Certainly they were lacking in the decorum one looks for in the wife of a marquess, not to mention a future duchess. No, I must forget him,” Emily announced resolutely, and when Lydia looked disbelieving, Emily just smiled. “You do not believe me, I see. Well, I am determined. I am only nineteen after all, and Lord Wesleigh is not the only gentleman in the world. I am going to a ball on Wednesday, where I am sure to meet a number of nice gentlemen. I refuse to let Lord Wesleigh destroy my pleasure in the ball. I just hope my bruise has faded by then.” This effectively turned the subject to that of cosmetics that could be discreetly applied to disguise Emily’s bruise, if necessary, followed by a serious discussion of how each of them should arrange her hair.
Lydia, however, could not be happy when her sister suffered so miserably. She resolved to do something about it, and consulted Sedgewick at the earliest opportunity. He was happy at the prospect of interfering in his friend’s romance as thoroughly as Wesleigh had interfered with his own, and he and Lydia soon decided the most effective way of inciting Wesleigh to passion was to make him jealous.
“But of whom?” Lydia asked, once this course was decided upon.
“There are sure to be quite a few gentlemen at the ball.”
“Yes, but I know of no one in particular who admires Emily.”
“Wesleigh does not know that. We just have to pick out one of her partners, and I will mention to Wesleigh that he has told me how greatly he admires Emily.”
“Jonathan,” Lydia exclaimed, admiration shining in her eyes, “you are brilliant.”
This statement was bound to make Sedgewick forget his friend’s ill-fated romance completely, and the conversation was effectively over.
It was not to be imagined, however, that the two unfortunate lovers were not thrown together often before the ball on Wednesday evening. The duke was still Lady Smithfield’s guest, Alexander was now acknowledged as his son, and Sedgewick was engaged to one of the daughters of the house. This made for many unpleasant meetings between Emily and Alexander. Added to this were the obvious matchmaking efforts of Lydia and Sedgewick, and the less obvious efforts of Lady Smithfield and the duke. Sir Marcus was the only person who had no interest in seeing Emily and Wesleigh get together.
For Sir Marcus fancied himself quite smitten with Emily Smithfield in his own right. He had been previously well disposed toward her for her concern for him when he had been restricted to his bedchamber, but upon learning that she favored him, as Wesleigh had assured him she did, he began to see her as a female of great discernment. There was also some romance in his arriving in the nick of time to wrest her from the arms of her captor (as he persisted in thinking he was her true rescuer, whatever Wesleigh might think). However, it was her behavior since that time that he found truly entrancing. He sensed a softer quality in her since the abduction and, not realizing she was in the throes of despair, felt that perhaps her adventure had changed her in some way. For, although he had liked Emily previously, he had not been as charmed by her vivaciousness of manner as Wesleigh had. He still recalled her theft of his quizzing glass with a shudder.
Tuesday, the day before the ball, it was decided the group would take an excursion to Bodiam Castle. Lady Smithfield was hopeful that the romantic setting would inspire Lord Wesleigh to propose to Emily. Lydia and Sedgewick hoped similarly, and resolved to somehow leave the two of them alone together. Sir Marcus likewise saw it as the perfect place for a proposal, and had determined to use the opportunity to make Emily an offer of marriage.
The day was fine, and the scenery exquisite, and even Emily felt her spirits begin to revive. She and Alexander were still only engaged in exchanging comments about the weather, but the atmosphere was charged with emotion, and Emily felt that anything could happen.
Everyone partook of a picnic luncheon, and Emily felt Alexander’s eyes on her quite a few times throughout the meal. She and Alexander said very little, but Emily found herself laughing a few times at some of the duke’s remarks, and it felt good to laugh again.
After lunch, Lydia and Sedgewick decided to take a walk about the grounds, and invited the others to join them. Lady Smithfield and the duke immediately declined, preferring to rest after their meal. Emily agreed, a little hesitantly, looking at Alexander in an attempt to gauge his reaction. He agreed readily, and Lydia and Sedgewick felt their scheme to be proceeding well, when, to everyone’s dismay, Sir Marcus announced his intention of joining them. There was little to be done but acquiesce with good grace, and they all began their walk, Lydia and Sedgewick first, with Alexander, Emily, and Sir Marcus trailing behind.
After they had gone a short distance, Lydia mentioned she had left her sketchbook in the carriage, and she would like to make a drawing. She asked Sedgewick to accompany her to retrieve it, but insisted the others continue with their walk. While she was unable to leave Emily and Alexander completely alone, she trusted that Sir Marcus would realize what they were hoping to accomplish and withdraw on his own.