He found his eldest sister pacing the length of his study, six chairs lined up before her, Andromeda, Prudence, and the twins standing sentinel behind her, arms crossed, attention narrowed on the young women sitting in the six chairs—June, Gertrude, Felicity, Briar, Glenna, Diana. Six pale faces avoiding Lottie’s enraged gaze.
“I suppose I do not have to go across the square then,” Emma said, bumping into him from behind.
Everyone looked at them, and Emma’s sisters bounced to their feet, got one step toward her.
“Sit down,” she demanded. “Whatever Lady Noble is about to say to you, you deserve.”
Backing toward their chairs as one, they sat, lowering their heads.
Samuel leaned against the door frame. “I suppose you discovered their scheme.”
“We did,” Lottie said. “Oh, they hid it well, of course, eyes all wide and hands wringing when we arrived yesterday after Rowan and Thurston delivered your message. But when they kept whispering, and when they stuffed food in their pockets last night and this morning, I began to get suspicious. Prudence discovered Felicity in the attic half an hour ago, and after that, confessions spilled quickly.”
“You’re terrifying sometimes,” June grumbled.
“Remember that. These three”—Lottie gestured with her chin to Emma’s sisters—“showed up only a few minutes ago, mischief in mind, I’m sure, and their role in the entire charade became clear. But now you’re here, Lady Emma, I’ll leave them to you.”
The girls looked to Emma, hope hesitant in their eyes.
“Oh, I think you’re doing a most excellent job,” Emma said. “Please continue.”
Hope decimated.
“What are you going to do to us?” Felicity asked.
Everyone looked to Samuel.
And with Emma so close beside him, the day still rosy along his skin, he leaned toward forgiveness. No future existed for him and Emma unless she decided it did, and he understood the reasons why she held back, the reasons why she might never say yes. But he’d had two days with her, pretending to be her husband, watching her face as he strummed pleasure across herevery nerve, playing cards, and commiserating. All that, what a true marriage should be—a friend, a partner, a lover. He might never have that, never have her.
But at least he’d had two days.
Behind him, Emma seemed indisposed toward forgiveness, though, one elegant red brow arched high, and her arms crossed over her perfect breasts. They did need to learn some lesson.
He sighed and took Lottie’s place before the shame-faced line. “Can any of you imagine what might have happened had your scheme gone awry?”
No answer. Only bowed heads.
“What if your little lie about Felicity had reached public ears? Her reputation ruined, though she’d never done a thing. And what of Lady Emma?” Good. He’d remembered to use her title. Their postures of defeat would turn victorious if he’d forgotten. “Her reputation could have been harmed as well. And even if it has not been, we will have to be careful the next week or so, listening for whispers.”
Diana peeked at him sideways, her cheeks red as a rose. “We’re quite sorry.” Her thick brogue held a plea that made Samuel want to fold.
“Sorrier than you can know,” June added, lifting her chin to look at him.
“You”—Samuel crossed his arms over his chest—“slipped a note into my pocket.”
“You’re welcome?” June’s smile was too forced, all teeth, no confidence.
“I think not.”
“Do you mean to say…” Felicity scooted to the edge of her chair and folded her hands in prayer like innocence in her lap as she lifted her gaze upward. “You and Lady Emma did not come to an understanding while traveling?” She blinked several times, her dark lashes pretending innocence.
“His Grace and I understand each other just as well now as we did before,” Emma said, stepping forward to stand next to Samuel.
They understood each other a sight better than before, actually, but now was not the time.
Felicity held her hands out. “But that is the point—you understand one another so well! And you enjoy one another. And… and I think you’re in love.”
“So do I!” Glenna exclaimed.
