“I know.” Alice squeezed her hand. “No one knows you better than I do, if you recall.”
“I cannot possibly forget.”
Emma gave her an enthusiastic grin as she slid her arm from Alice’s hold and turned to make her way down the hallway. Alice watched her go for a moment before she continued along her own path.
Lord Erlington’s easy smirk filtered into her mind, making Alice grimace. This walk was sure to be a bother, she knew, if the Marquess would be there. If his arrogance didn’t threaten to drive her mad, then his sly little comments she didn’t miss certainly would.
Whichever it was, Alice planned on blocking Emma from the brunt of it.
* * *
The Duke of Warington had returned to his office to finish writing important correspondence he planned on sending out before the end of the day. Which had left William and Christopher alone to wait for the ladies. After being led to the parlor by the butler, Christopher sank into an arm chair with a sigh while William made his way over to the sideboard to help himself to a drink.
He poured a glass of whiskey and was about to raise it to his lips when he caught the look his brother gave him. William lowered the glass, raising a brow in question. “Would you like a glass yourself?” he asked.
“No, I would not like a glass,” Christopher said wearily.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?” A twinge of amusement lit within William as he made his way over to his brother’s side. Christopher had always been quite a stickler, which would always result in them clashing when they were younger. Now that they were both adults living their own lives, they got along much better.
“I hope you are not planning on doing or saying anything inappropriate during our walk with the ladies?”
“Inappropriate?” William cocked his head to the side. “I do not know what you mean.”
“You know exactly what I mean,” Christopher sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Please be on your best behavior, William. I’ve taken a liking to Lady Emma and I do not want your actions to affect whether she accepts me as a suitor.”
“Lady Emma, you say?” William nodded approvingly. “She is quite lovely, and very good at making conversation. I’d always feared you would find yourself with a rather boring lady.”
“William…”
“Yes, yes, I shan’t do or say anything that might embarrass you, Brother. I do not know why you would think I would.”
“Oh?” Christopher leaned back in his chair, propping one leg on the other. “Certainly you recall the string of broken hearts you left behind in London during your business trip a year ago? Or the many ladies who vie for your attention in the countryside?”
“How could I forget?” William responded easily. “Though to say I left them with broken hearts is quite unforgiving of you. I’d much rather you say that we parted ways in rather…unusual circumstances.”
“You led the ladies on and made them believe you would marry them.”
“Ah, yes.” William winced a little, hiding a smile. “I suppose that does sound quite bad.”
Christopher sighed again. “Surely you have not forgotten what Father said? If you do not put aside your ways, he will not leave you the Dukedom.”
William wasn’t likely to forget that any time soon. Their elderly father had spoken those profound words in a fit of anger, bothered by his son’s carefree attitude. At first, William hadn’t taken him seriously. But considering how much better suited Christopher was to become the Duke, he soon realized that he didn’t have much of a choice but to listen to him.
Losing the Dukedom was the last thing William wanted. He had plans he wanted to set in motion, ideas that he had to bring into fruition.
“Are you listening, William?” Christopher pushed. “You know I do not want to inherit the Dukedom. The only thing I wish to do is live a nice and quiet life.”
“With Lady Emma by your side,” William added as he with a wink. Christopher drew in a breath and William continued before his brother could let it out in another one of his burdened sighs. “Yes, yes, I have not forgotten what Father said. I shall cease the constant flirting with ladies and put down the habit of cards. But I cannot promise that I shan’t have a bit of fun of my own during our walk.”
Especially considering Lady Alice will be joining us. I can hardly wait.
As if brought by his thoughts, there came a knock on the door and the butler slid into the room upon receiving word that he could enter. He bowed before he said, “Pardon the intrusion, My Lords. Lady Alice and Lady Emma are ready to meet with you in the gardens.”
“Thank you,” Christopher told him, ever the polite one. He stood and looked at William. “Best behavior,” he reminded him.
William only gave Christopher a simple mocking salute. Wariness still in his eyes, Christopher turned to leave the parlor and William was right on his heels. The butler led the way until they were brought outside and spotted the two ladies waiting for them, a middle-aged maid standing by to act as chaperone.
Lady Emma struck quite the vision herself, but William only had eyes for Lady Alice. She wore a dark-blue bonnet, one that shielded nearly all of her face and greatly complemented the blue dress she wore. Upon their approach, William could only see a slice of her cheek and one eye, which slid discreetly toward them as they drew closer. He could already feel excitement mounting in him, eager to speak to the reserved lady again.
