Dukes By the Dozen

Emmaline turned to her sister, who smiled reassuringly in that calm way she had about her. She sighed and joined Amelia, and just as she’d done when they were children, Emmaline leaned against her sister and rested her head upon her shoulder.

Of course, given that Emmaline was nearly a head taller than her diminutive sibling now, it wasn’t quite as easy as it once was. She’d likely end up with a crick in her neck. But it still soothed her soul as it always had.

“Now,” Amelia said, “tell me what’s happened.”

And she did, from the day she and Granville had rescued Duke, all the days in between, and ending with Father catching her in Granville’s arms. She left out the most personal moments, and the majority of what she’d shared with him about Amelia. Her sister had her pride, after all, and while she wasn’t sensitive about much, Amelia had flatly refused to discuss her engagement with anyone, even Emmaline.

“How did Father find you?”

Emmaline sat up and faced Amelia. “He came looking for me after our argument this morning, wanting to get in the last word.”

Amelia only nodded, understanding that well enough having been on the receiving end of many of his lectures.

“But I’d fled to the park, desperate to get to my—to Granville.”

The corner of Amelia’s mouth lifted. “Your

Granville, eh?”

The tips of Emmaline’s ears burned at her sister’s teasing. Her Granville…her knight…her duke. One and the same. But she didn’t give Amelia the satisfaction of a reaction.

“Well, Father found Molly instead. It didn’t take him long to get the story out of her.” Guilt flashed through Emmaline as she thought of how scared the poor maid must have been. And for what had happened to her.

“He’s sacked her for not properly chaperoning me—without references. I’ll ask Granville to find her straightaway, and take her into Albemarle House.”

Amelia’s smile had vanished, her lips thinning into a line. “Don’t worry about Molly. I’ll see she’s taken care of.”

“But how—?”

“Never you mind,” Amelia said. “Go on with your story.”

Emmaline frowned. Ever since her engagement, Amelia had changed. Become more tight-lipped, more mysterious. And from the stubborn tilt of her chin, Emmaline knew she’d get nothing more out of her sister on that score.

“She told Father I’d been meeting with a man in Hyde Park,” she continued, “and he rushed there to fetch me posthaste. I think he intended to cover up any impropriety so that I’d still be eligible to marry his duke.”

No, not his

duke.

Your duke, Granville had called himself.

My duke, she repeated to herself.

“When he didn’t find us near the Serpentine, he nearly left,” she said. “But then he saw Duke chasing something near the copse of trees where we’d gone, and followed the pup into the forest.”

“Unlucky, that,” Amelia said.

“Mmm.” But was it? Emmaline wasn’t so sure. Horrific as being caught in a compromising position had been, there was a sort of peace having it all out of her hands now. No more fighting it. No more unknowns.

And as for her future husband?

She would choose him over any man she’d known.

While she couldn’t say how he felt about marrying her, Emmaline no longer dreaded her future. Indeed, she looked forward to discovering more about the man she already knew so well, and yet didn’t know at all.

And she certainly looked forward to more of his kisses.

She lay her head back on Amelia’s shoulder. Her sister deserved the same—to look forward to her marriage, not to fear it.

Granville had intimated that were he her duke, he would support Amelia, should she wish to change her mind. Had he meant that? If so, Emmaline should probably prepare Amelia for the possibility—which meant she would have to be honest about what she’d told Granville today.

She only hoped her sister didn’t get too upset with her.

“Amelia?”

“Yes?”

But just then, the door opened.

Both ladies rose to their feet as the men stepped through the threshold. Well, Amelia rose. Emmaline practically surged.

Upon noticing Amelia, their father made hasty introductions.

Emmaline had eyes only for Granville. His face was still stony, giving away nothing of what he was thinking. Flutters set off in her stomach anew. Was he displeased, finding himself shackled to her before he’d even seen the other young ladies the ton had to offer?

When Amelia and Granville had exchanged polite greetings, Father shooed her sister out of room before turning to Emmaline.

“You may have a few moments with your intended,” he said. “Leave the door open.”

Her cheeks warmed at his directive, but then she was alone with her knight for the first time as themselves, and she was warm for an entirely different reason.

Everything had changed between them.

Yet it felt as if nothing had.

What should she say to him?

She decided on the first thing on her heart. “I had no idea who you were.”

A ginger brow winged high on his forehead.

“What I mean to say is that I didn’t set out to trap you. I hope you know that.”