CHAPTER 38
Emma
The next morning, Emma found herself standing in the drawing room of her sister Arabella’s home. Evan hadn’t returned until late the previous night and hadn’t risen yet by the time she left. This did not bother her, though she was rather curious to find out what Evan might have discovered.
“Married life must suit you; you look positively radiant,” Arabella said with a smile, drawing Emma from her thoughts.
Emma laughed softly, more out of habit than genuine joy. “It has been, thank you. As do you. Pray, where is Hanna?”
“Delayed, as is usual for her,” Arabella said with a grin.
As they took their seats on the settee, Arabella continued, her tone shifting slightly. “I saw Alexander yesterday,” she said, watching Emma closely.
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Did you?”
“Yes. He asked me to tell you that he wishes for you to call on him soon,” Arabella said carefully.
Emma was silent for a moment, her gaze distant, before she replied, “I shall, then.” A faint smile touched her lips. “I find myself much more inclined to forgive him these days—for leaving us when we were children. Perhaps I understand better now the pressures he faced.”
Arabella’s expression softened with relief. “I’m glad to hear it. He may have made his mistakes, but I believe he’s truly trying to make amends.”
Emma nodded but did not reply further, her thoughts lingering on the paths that had divided their family.
Their conversation soon turned to lighter matters, Arabella eagerly asking about Emma’s new life.
“How are things with the Duke? And how are you finding your new role as a Duchess?”
Emma hesitated briefly before smiling. “It has been... an adjustment, but I am happy. Evan has been like a changed manthese last few weeks. He even decided to become a patron at the orphanage.”
Arabella clapped her hands together, beaming. “Oh, Emma, that is wonderful! I knew you’d make a difference. You’ve always had such a generous heart.”
They continued chatting, though Emma felt a little peculiar about not telling her sister about Ophelia and Brigitte’s situations. She usually shared everything with her sisters, but this matter was far too delicate, at least in her opinion. Arabella’s warmth easing Emma’s guarded demeanor. But as the moments passed, Emma’s mind flickered back to Alexander’s invitation, her heart weighed by equal parts curiosity and cautious hope.
It wasn’t until their sister, Hanna, entered the room that Emma’s delicate sense of balance began to waver.
“Emma!” Hanna cried, rushing to embrace her. “It feels like forever since we’ve seen you.”
“Hanna,” Emma said warmly, pulling her younger sister into a tight embrace. “How are you?”
Hanna returned the hug, her expression a mixture of joy and hesitancy as she sat beside Arabella. “I am well. But tell me—what were the two of you speaking of before I arrived? Arabella looked positively delighted.”
Arabella laughed and answered with mock indignation. “Delighted? Well, I am. Emma spent the better part of an hour extolling the virtues of her husband. She’s utterly besotted, and His Grace is a whole new man. I dare say, soon we can call him by his Christian name.”
Emma flushed faintly. “Arabella, truly.”
Arabella only smirked, but Hanna’s curiosity deepened. She shifted on the settee and hesitated, her voice lowering. “I am glad to hear things between you and Evan seem so harmonious. That said…” She paused, glancing at Arabella before returning her gaze to Emma. “I must tell you, I saw Evan recently.”
Emma’s brow furrowed slightly, though she kept her tone light. “Oh? And where did you see him?”
“At Vauxhall Gardens,” Hanna replied cautiously. “It was a few nights ago.”
Arabella tilted her head, her brows knitting in surprise. “What a coincidence! Was he attending a gathering?”
Emma stiffened. She wasn’t aware Evan had been at a gathering, though he had been working in town several evenings this past few weeks. His partnership with Lord Wren had come to an end and he, Jonathan and Mr. Abernathy had been working on an arrangement to part ways with Wren for good.
Hanna’s hesitation deepened, and she clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “Not exactly,” she said carefully. “He was stepping into a carriage… with another woman.”
Emma’s heart dropped into her knees and she took a sharp breath.
