A Most Unlikely Betrothal by Alice Kirks
Chapter 2
Richard was relieved his parents decided to stay at home this evening because he didn't want any interference from them. Lately, the Duke and Duchess had become suspicious of the attention he gave Elizabeth Emley and had asked him of his intentions. Richard wasn't sure what they were just yet, but he certainly enjoyed being around the beautiful woman.
Elizabeth was easily the loveliest woman of the Season and had caught his eye at the very first ball his aunt, the Countess of Danbridge, had given. She had seemingly floated into the room wearing a white silk dress with a touch of pink at the waist and sleeves.
Richard had immediately stopped talking to his friend and gazed at the stunning vision until his eyes fell upon a plainer woman behind her. He had recognised the woman as England's Least Eligible Gentle Lady and wondered what she was doing with someone so beautiful.
At first, Richard had assumed they were friends until he picked up on the physical similarities between the women. Their colouring, face structure, height and weight had been similar, but that's where it ended. Elizabeth had a more refined, gentle face that was quite angelic, but Sophia was so nondescript she could easily be mistaken for a servant—if not for the proud way she carried herself.
Richard didn't know what the woman had to be proud of. Her Season had been a disaster, and she had become the one woman no one wanted at their social events unless they really needed to have her there. He sometimes felt sorry for the woman, but Sophia Emley didn't make life any easier by having a sharp tongue and proving she was more intelligent than any man who dared to challenge her.
“She needs to learn to pick her battles,” he murmured as he stared at the approaching house.
Richard was running late tonight, but he had planned it so. He wanted to ensure that Elizabeth had arrived before him so he wouldn't have to wait for her. Although he was interested in the younger Emley sister, Richard didn't like any woman to think that he was so enamoured with them that his life centred around them. That would break the stipulation in his rule book of dealing with women.
Richard and his best friend, Nicholas, had come up with it several years ago when women began to notice them as something more than just cute little boys. Hearing about men being trapped into marriage, falling into scandalous situations, and a host of other problems led them to create a handbook that would protect them from unwanted attention and consequences.
Despite this, he had broken a few of his own rules where Elizabeth was concerned. What was it about gorgeous women that made a man lose his common sense? They had had their first chaste kiss on their fourth meeting, and had snuck away several times to spend time together. He felt like he was following her around like a puppy by finding out which events she was most likely to attend.
Brushing his hands through his fine, pale hair, Richard hoped he would have more sense tonight. He laughed, knowing that he planned to kiss the pretty woman again. That's if he got the chance to do so; Sophia would undoubtedly stick to her sister like honey on fur.
His carriage slowed until it came to a stop at the front steps of the Smethwick Manor. Huge stone lions crouched on either side of the steps, ready to pounce on any unsuspecting guests and make a meal of them. Richard knew the Viscount was obsessed with cats of all sorts, lions in particular.
Lord Smethwick had several taxidermied animals in his study, most of them imported from Africa or Asia. Although Richard liked to hunt with the best of them, he wasn't particularly keen on keeping animals like some sort of trophy on his walls. It just seemed too gruesome for him.
A footman opened his door, waiting for Richard to walk down the portable steps before closing the door and sitting beside the driver. After a brief announcement of his arrival, Richard entered the ballroom and was immediately met with several people who all wished to speak with him. This was the case wherever Richard went.
He knew it had nothing to do with him personally but everything to do with his wealth and social status. After all, he was set to inherit a dukedom, an inheritance that easily made him the most eligible bachelor for miles around. Of course, his fair looks did help. Richard knew that his blond hair, light green eyes, full lips and dimple on his left cheek was enough to make any warm-blooded woman swoon.
He had been likened to Adonis, a fallen angel, and all sorts of creatures that bore great beauty with the dangerous power of enthralling masses with themere crook of a finger. Richard didn't feel dangerous, but people's reactions to him made him appear so.
“How are you, Lord Brittingham?” a man asked. “We despaired of you ever arriving. You're rather late.”
Many uttered the same sentiments, making Richard smile. He turned to the man, recognising him as Adam Leech.
“I had some things to do,” Richard answered. “But I'm here now.”
“We're so glad that you are,” a pretty brunette said. “This ball would have been boring without you.”
“I doubt that, Cassandra,” said Richard. “There are plenty of amusements to keep one occupied. Surely you do not need me to keep everyone entertained?”
She blushed, the faint pink hue colouring her neck as well. "But none so interesting as you, my lord."
Cassandra coloured so quickly, but that didn't lessen the blatant flirtation. Richard hadn't come here to flirt with anyone; he came here to see Elizabeth. He gave the woman a harmless grin and gazed over the crowd. He was tall enough to see over the heads of most of the people present, but he still couldn't see Elizabeth. She had to be here; he was sure of it. Perhaps she was sitting? In that case, he needed the sea of bodies to part. If he were Moses, he could lift a staff and command them, but where was a God-powered staff when he needed one?
“Looking for someone?” a man asked at his elbow.
Richard spared him a brief glance because he already knew who it was. “How long have you been here, Nick?”
“Long enough to know where the person you're looking for is sitting right now,” his friend replied with a knowing grin.
Richard ignored the laughing eyes. “Where?”
“With her sister. Four o'clock on your right.”
Richard groaned. Her sister? “I should have known,” he said in hushed tones. Richard didn't want the other guests hanging around him to know what was going on, but they looked curious as he bent his head towards Nicholas. “How am I going to see her now?”
“Patience, I guess. Miss Emley cannot sit by her sister for the whole night.”
Richard snorted. "If that's what you think, then you do not know the woman well."
“And you do?” asked Nicholas, his one eyebrow raised.
“Let's just say I've encountered the woman more times than I care to recall.”
At first, he hadn't known her name but the two nicknames people had given her. It was only when he saw Elizabeth and found out her name did he realise Sophia was an Emley. Richard had quickly established that he would see more of the woman, but he didn't know that she would make it sochallenging to talk to Elizabeth.
"What will you do now?" Nicholas inquired. "I know you wish to see her alone, although I think that is a foolish idea. You could get caught, and that will ultimately cause problems."
“I'm aware of that, but we've been careful. I like Elizabeth very much—more than I've ever liked any other woman,—but I'm not prepared to settle down just yet.”
Although, if he was to hazard a guess about the perfect woman for him, it would likely be Elizabeth. Richard was still wary about committing himself to one woman, but she made him feel like he could go down the marriage road and be happy about it. He paused at the thought. Did he really mean it? Perhaps not, but he was certainly closer to the idea of marriage now than he had been prior to meeting Elizabeth.
As though they knew that he wished to see the woman who held his affections, the crowd cleared a path that gave him a perfect view of the woman he had come to see. For some reason, her beauty didn't make Richard catch his breath tonight, but he didn't worry about that. Elizabeth Emley was still beautiful, and he liked her. What more did he need?
“I think she knows you're here,” Nicholas commented as they moved further into the crowd.
“I'm not surprised. Everyone made it too obvious to miss.”
Elizabeth wasn't looking at him, but Richard could tell by the tension in her body that she was aware of his close proximity. However, she wasn't the only one who had noticed his arrival. Sophia looked annoyed and seemed to want to be anywhere else but here. Richard didn't understand the woman.
He had tried everything he could think of to make her like him, from being charming to friendly, but none of it had worked on Sophia. Why? Was she immune to him? Apparently so, but Richard didn't like the idea. If he married Elizabeth by some chance, how would his life be with a sister-in-law like Sophia? Granted, he wouldn't have to see much of her, but that wouldn't change that they were related by marriage.
“Guess who is not happy to see you?” Nicholas said with some glee in his voice.
“I resent that you think any of this is amusing,” Richard bit back. “The woman would do better to smile once in a while and stop watching her sister like a hawk. She could take up the position of royal guard she's so good at being protective and watchful.”
“You're just annoyed that there is some woman out there who doesn't like you,” Nicholas returned.
Was that the reason? “You're talking a lot of hogwash. Miss Emley is an annoying woman—why would I want her to like me?”
“Maybe because she is directly tied to the woman you have pursued for the past several weeks? It's only natural to want to be in the good books of your potential in-laws.”
Hearing the hint of marriage coming from his friend gave Richard an unsettled feeling. It had sounded plausible in his head, but he wasn't certain about actually marrying Elizabeth. Perhaps their kiss this evening would give him the answers he wanted.
“I'll give her some credit for her determination to keep her sister from unworthy suitors, since that has cut me a clear path to Elizabeth. But the dislike is mutual; I also don’t care for her and merely tolerate her for Elizabeth's sake.”
Richard watched the sisters exchange words before Sophia stood up and walked away. He realised with a jolt that this was his opportunity to speak to Elizabeth. Perhaps she had made a way to see each other.
“I'm going to approach Lizzy while her sister is away,” Richard told his friend.
“Do you think that wise?” Nicholas asked.
“It will just be for one dance. Surely that is allowed?”
“Not in Sophia Emley's book,” Nicholas argued. “She might not be pleased that you waited until her back was turned to ask her sister for a dance.”
Richard gave a gallic shrug. “I'll take my chances.”
He wanted to see Elizabeth and tell her of his plan to meet alone in the garden. He did not need Sophia's interference.
Richard left his friend and made his way to where Elizabeth sat, taking in her demure behaviour, which he knew was for his benefit.
“Good evening, Elizabeth.”
The young woman looked up with surprise, her lips framing an 'o'. “Richard! I didn't know you had arrived.”
That was a lie, but he didn't mind. "Indeed? Well, I noticed you from across the room."
“You did?” said Elizabeth, barely hiding the smile of pleasure playing about her lips.
“Of course, I did. How can any man not see the most beautiful woman in this room?”
Elizabeth's blush went straight to the roots of her dark hair. “Do not say that, Richard. I cannot be the most beautiful.”
Yet, she knew she was. Richard had come to know Elizabeth well enough to realise that the woman was aware of her beauty and enjoyed the perks that came with it. How did Sophia fare with her sister's popularity? The odd thought cut through Richard's mind, disturbing him. What did he care what Sophia felt about it? It was none of his business.
Richard noticed Elizabeth was clutching her dance card, giving him an idea. “Do you have any space on there to dance with me? I know that you must have many partners lined up this evening, but I would be beholden to you if you would give a poor man a little time on the floor.”
Richard watched the woman's eyes light up. “I would love to dance with you, but let me make sure that I have a set available.”
It didn't take the woman long to tell him that she had two spots open. Richard had a feeling they were purposefully left open for him. It worked even better for him that her first dance had yet to be claimed.
“I would be honoured to lead you to the dance floor right now, if you will have me,” Richard requested in his most humble voice.
It was part of the charm that he could be both handsome and humble. He held out his hand to Elizabeth, knowing that she would say yes. Some people would think his confidence was a sign of cockiness, but Richard wasn't one to do things unless he was absolutely sure of the outcome. He wasn't an impulsive man and rarely took risks unless he was certain that the consequences would favour him.
Elizabeth put her slender hand in his and stood up. “I would be delighted.”
Richard threw her a heart-warming smile and led the willing woman to the dance floor. He had a moment's doubt about what Sophia might say about taking her sister without asking her permission, but she wasn't Elizabeth's parent, was she? Sophia could only be a year or two older than Elizabeth and wasn't equipped to handle matters of interested men—how could she when she had never had a suitor look her way?
He and Elizabeth soon fell into the dance steps, with the woman putting more gaiety into the dance than Richard felt was necessary. After a moment or two had passed, he launched into his plan, making sure to keep his voice at a minimum. Perhaps asking Elizabeth to sneak off into the garden with him was not the best thing to do while dancing, but it was the only way to ensure that Sophia wouldn't interrupt him before he was done.
“Elizabeth,” he murmured into her ear as they came together. “Would you meet me outside?”
Elizabeth pulled away, startled, swapping places with another woman before coming back to him.
“You wish to meet me outside?”
“Yes, in the garden. I wish to speak with you alone.”
Elizabeth's cheeks pinkened as she moved several steps back, getting into formation with the other women. She lowered her eyes, biting her bottom lip. Would she deny him? She had always seemed eager before. Richard hadn't considered Elizabeth saying no to him, but perhaps he should have.
The dance brought them closer again, but Richard didn't dare say anything for fear of seeming persistent. That was the woman's job, not his. If he appeared persistent, then the woman was certain to expect a proposal on the horizon. However, if they were persistent, he would gently turn them down. It was a win-win situation as far as he was concerned.
Richard had no desire to hurt anyone, and he wasn't the vindictive sort. He preferred to come across as a harmless, flirtatious young Earl who had a smile ready for any woman, even those who disliked him.
“I would like to meet you in the garden,” Elizabeth finally said, her voice somewhat breathy.
Richard couldn't resist the mild look of triumph he could feel travel across his features. “Thank you. Will you meet me by the Aphrodite statue in five minutes? You go first once this dance ends, and I'll follow you.”
Elizabeth nodded, almost forgetting the next step in the set. She giggled a little as she stumbled, quickly falling into step with the other women. A sense of excitement took hold of Richard. Why did that happen whenever one was about to do something that was not allowed?
It reminded him of the time he had taken his father's favourite horse and phaeton for a spin around London without letting him know. Richard had been a little more careless until some years ago and had taken a bend too sharply. The result was a dislocated shoulder, a destroyed phaeton, and a jittery horse. It was only his title as heir that had kept the Duke from taking a switch to his hide.
Once the music ended, and a little break was called, Richard and Elizabeth drew apart almost immediately. He didn't look to see where she disappeared to as he didn't want to draw attention to them. People were just meant to see that he had danced with her, and that was it. Anything else would invite too many questions.
At times, Richard wondered if he was tampering with Elizabeth's virtue by seeing her alone or sharing a hasty kiss with her, but that was what people who had some affection for each other did, didn't they? Richard had never taken advantage of her and had no wish to do so. It simply wasn't his modus operandi.
He moved to get a drink, barely sipping it as he counted down the minutes. When he felt that he had given Elizabeth more than enough time to reach their destination, he placed his drink on the nearest surface and set off after her. Richard wasn't halfway out of the ballroom when he realised that he should probably try another exit. What if someone was watching him and surmised that he was following Elizabeth? The thought was enough to spin him on his heel and take another route to the garden.
He stepped outside and was surprised to see how dark it was ; not an inch of moonlight illuminated the path he needed to take. How had Elizabeth managed it? Perhaps her familiarity with the place was enough for her—it was her aunt and uncle's estate, after all. Richard had also come to the estate several times in the past and knew it enough to note specific markers along the way.
What would he say once he had Elizabeth alone? It wasn't just the lure of a kiss that had sought privacy but a lesser need to divulge his growing feelings for the woman. Richard still wasn't confident about the latter intention as he had never done such a thing, but he couldn't deny that Elizabeth Emley had won his affections.
“Some, not all,” he whispered to himself.
He still needed time to explore what he felt. Nicholas had once said that he knew he had loved Marianne after he had kissed her a second time, which was one of the reasons why Richard felt he needed to kiss Elizabeth. If he had fallen in love with the woman, then he needed to be absolutely sure about it. Hopefully, he wouldn't get his heart broken in the process like his friend did.
The clouds parted enough for some moonlight to filter through and guide his way, but the height of the hedges, trees and statues kept most things in their shadow, including him. Why did the Viscount and Viscountess have so many statues in their garden? A few were fine, but when the number surpassed twenty, it became too much.
Richard spotted the statue he was looking for up ahead, as well as the form of a woman nearing it. He was glad to see that Elizabeth had taken an oil lamp with her, but what was that she had under her arm? A book? Had she brought it while she waited? That was odd, since Elizabeth didn't strike him as a bookish woman. Perhaps her sister, but not her.
Whatever Elizabeth's reasons were for bringing the book, Richard decided that it wasn't important. Nothing mattered more than getting to her, telling her what he felt, and sharing another kiss. He paused, wondering where all this sudden urgency had come from—yes, he wished to be with Elizabeth, but he certainly didn't need to.
Richard shook his head, wondering what had gotten into him. A breeze ruffled his hair, almost teasing it as it passed him and disappeared as quickly as it had come. How strange. He looked ahead and noticed that Elizabeth's lamp had been blown out by the zephyr. No matter— could see where she was.
Not wanting to scare her by coming up from behind, Richard walked around a long hedge until he stood several feet in front of Elizabeth. He could barely see her in the shadows, but they were familiar enough to know each other. As he approached her, Richard watched her shadowed form grow still, as if listening. He paused for just a moment, but a sense of urgency pushed him ahead until he stood before her, still not able to see her face clearly in the shadows. Richard felt himself reach for her, closing his hands around softly rounded arms, and brought her a step closer to him. He hadn't known precisely what he wished to say to Elizabeth, but now his words flowed out of him as though they had been there all along.
“I'm so glad you came to meet me. I couldn't wait until I could have you to myself.”
Elizabeth said nothing. Did she want to hear more from him? Richard had no problem doing that because he had something more to say.
“I must tell you that no other woman has made me feel this way. I knew there was something special about you from the moment I first saw you.”
That sounded a little trite even to his ears, but that didn't change the fact that he meant every word. Elizabeth didn't pull away, which was a good sign. That encouraged him to do the one thing he had thought about for most of the evening.
“I fear I cannot hold myself anymore,” he said, surprised at the intensity of his voice.
He hadn't felt like this the first time he had shared a kiss with her. Richard bent his head towards her and closed his eyes, instinctively knowing that he would land in the right place. He kissed Elizabeth, feeling a pressing warmth travel through his body that wasn't there the first time. Something wasn't right. He abruptly let go of her and stepped away, watching her sway slightly. A streak of moonlight lit up their area enough for Richard to realise he had made a grave mistake.
“Miss Emley?” he said, his voice hoarse with shock and other things that he did not want to think about right now.
Richard heard Sophia gasp, watching her hand go to her mouth as she took several steps back. Finally, she dropped the book and lamp she had been holding, seemingly not bothered by the sound of breaking glass. Richard was worried that she had cut herself and thought to approach her with an apology and a quick observation to see if Sophia had hurt herself, but before he could, the horrified woman picked up her dress, flashing her slender ankles in the process, and ran off towards the house.
Richard had never seen a woman run that fast and would have admired her agility if not for the crashing feeling in his chest that he had just kissed the wrong sister. What the devil was he supposed to do now?