“Who is she talking to?”
“The gentlemen are the Nelson brothers. You must be able to read the bored expression on my sister’s face.”
“It is unmistakable.” Aaron whistled in amazement. Lady Emily was clearly doing her best to cover it up, but it was no use. Her smile did not last long. It was a far cry from how she had been with Aaron at the ball, always jesting and smiling.
“I would extract her from their company myself, but the elder Nelson once had an eye for Julia.”
“Your wife?” Aaron asked.
“Just so.” Lord Bolton grimaced, clearly showing how he really felt. “He proved himself a cruel man, and I would avoid him. I have a feeling if I go to Emily’s side at this moment, that man will simply start insulting the both of us. I fear he has something against my family entirely now. If you would, could you extract my sister for me?”
“Of course.” Aaron found no hesitation in his answer. A lady like Lady Emily should not be sad. She should always be smiling. “Leave it with me.” He clapped Lord Bolton on the arm and walked off, listening as Lord Bolton called his thanks after him.
Aaron appeared to do the round of guests, greeting people with bobs of his head and the occasional word, before he made a beeline straight for Lady Emily. She looked up at his approach, her lips quivering into a smile.
There. That is how you should always be.
Aaron found his eyes drifting down her again, admiring the Pomona green gown she was wearing. The column-style left little to the imagination of her figure and the curves made him parched, adjusting the suddenly tight cravat around his throat.
Stop thinking of such things! Have you lost all ability to be a gentleman?
He reprimanded himself, finding his mind thinking of things he had once thought of with Jane.
“Lord Tattershall,” Lady Emily said, curtsying in greeting. “Have you met Lord Nelson, and his brother Lord Fitzwilliam?”
“How do you do.” Aaron bowed to them all and turned his attention back to Lady Emily, parting his lips ready to say something to extract her from their company when he was spoken over.
“I was just saying to Lady Emily how lovely it is to see her here.” Lord Nelson spoke up, earning both of their attention. The words sounded a little stranger to Aaron’s mind, spoken in a cold way. He felt his body stiffen, preparing himself for what was coming next. “We were talking of her family. What an odd bunch they all make. It is quite amusing to see them.”
“I beg your pardon?” Aaron flinched.
“Well, Lord Bolton, a somewhat foolish man, is he not? Never a serious word. Lady Grace, I imagine she might be the most superior of the siblings. Then Lady Emily here. She is the odd one out. She doesn’t quite have the elegance of her sister, does she?”
Aaron could not believe what he had heard. He perfectly understood what Lord Bolton had been referring to before. It seemed Lord Nelson held such anger against the whole family now that he was happy to take his revenge on someone who had nothing to do with the entire affair.
“What did you say?” Aaron asked, daring Lord Nelson to say it again. The man lifted his sniggering lips out of his glass, returning Aaron’s gaze. His brother at his side pretended interest in his own glass, looking like he wished to disappear.
“I was merely referring to –”
“Would you actually dare to say such a thing again?” Aaron turned his tone darker, watching as the smile began to waver on Lord Nelson’s lips.
“My Lord,” Lady Emily’s voice was quiet at his side. “It is not important.”
“Not important?” He flicked his head toward her, incredulous. “I will not let such a man insult you so.”
“He meant nothing by it. He only meant to take his own enjoyment by making another feel small.” Her astute words made Lord Nelson shift on his feet.
“Just so, I agree with you, yet that doesn’t make his words anymore forgivable.” Aaron lifted his eyes from her back to Lord Nelson. “Apologize.” Aaron’s order made Lord Nelson lower his glass completely, with his lips parting.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You have insulted the lady. For nothing more than your own amusement, as she has pointed out. I suppose you may be a man who takes delight in hurting others, but I will not stand for it. Apologize to her. Now.” Aaron was not going to let the matter slide.
He was aware of Lady Emily sliding her hand through his arm and tugging there, as if trying to pull him away from the fray, but he kept his feet firmly planted in the ground, he would not move. “Duels are fought over insults, Lord Nelson. I would hurry up with your apology.” Aaron’s threat was enough.
“I apologize.” Lord Nelson turned his eyes on Lady Emily as he spoke. “I meant no insult with my words.”
“Apology accepted.” Lady Emily tugged on Aaron’s arm another time, on this occasion succeeding with pulling him away.
