despair for the past week, her countenance did not change noticeably.
The same could not be said of Lady Abernathy and Lady Cynthia, who both had similar expressions on their aristocratic faces. It was quite enlightening to Emily, who felt she was getting a glimpse of what Lady Cynthia would look like in forty years. More than ever did she pity the poor man who would tie himself to Lady Cynthia.
“How absurd!” Lady Abernathy stated, the first to regain her composure. “You have misunderstood the situation, I am sure.”
Lady Smithfield drew herself up in affront. “Are you implying that I am a liar, Lady Abernathy?”
“Of course not. Merely confused.”
“I am not confused. I had a letter from the duke, spelling out his intentions in detail. A notice is to appear in the
Lady Abernathy was stricken speechless for the first time in her life. Lady Smithfield observed the stunned inhabitants of her drawing room and almost began to enjoy the situation.
Emily felt a little of her mother’s vindication as well. Forgetting for the moment that she had no desire for her or her sister to wed the marquess, she gloried in seeing the crack in Lady Cynthia’s haughty veneer. Emily did not believe for a moment that Lady Cynthia had any tender feelings for the marquess, so she did not believe the news could do her any lasting harm.
All were surprised when Lydia spoke. “Perhaps, Mama, if Lady Cynthia has a prior claim to the marquess’s affections . . .” She faltered under her mother’s severe gaze.
“Nonsense. It is obvious he was not serious in his intentions.”
Lady Cynthia’s alabaster complexion turned red. “I do not believe you can speak with such authority on the matter, Lady Smithfield.”
“My dear girl, although I did not witness the marquess’s attentions to you, I can tell you with authority that it is quite common for an idle gentleman to enjoy a flirtation with a pretty girl such as yourself.”
Lady Cynthia did not know whether to be more insulted that her charms, commonly described as beautiful and incomparable, were relegated to a mere “pretty,” or the implication that she had been a momentary diversion for a bored nobleman. She rose in a huff and turned to her aunt. “Aunt Mildred, I refuse to stay in this house a minute longer.”
“Of course, Cynthia. We shall leave at once. Lady Smithfield, Miss Smithfield, Miss Emily Smithfield,” Lady Abernathy addressed her hostess and her daughters, “I can only say that I am very disappointed, and I shall not bid you a good day.”
“Well! That was most unpleasant,” Lady Smithfield stated, a frown on her face. She turned to her daughters to find Emily stifling a giggle. “Emily, child, what is there to smile about?”
“I am sorry, Mama, but the look on Lady Cynthia’s face . . .” She could hold her laughter back no longer, and it was only a few seconds before her mother joined in. Even Lydia could not maintain her tragic mood in the face of her mother and sister’s hilarity, and was soon giggling as well.
When the laughter subsided, Lady Smithfield grew sober once more. “I only hope Lady Abernathy sends us an invitation to her ball after this episode.”
“Oh, Mama, do you think she would not?” Emily grew sober as well. She was looking forward to the ball.
Lady Abernathy considered for a moment. Then a wide smile appeared on her face. “No, I do not. After all, she could hardly invite our guests were she to exclude us.”
She started laughing again, and after a moment or two, so did Emily and Lydia.
Emily still had a smile on her face when she knocked on Lord Wesleigh’s door a few minutes later.
“Come.”
Emily opened the door but stayed in the doorway. “I just wanted to tell you that our guests have left, and they send you their regards.” Emily could not remember if they had done so or not, but figured they probably would have if they were not in such a hurry to get out of the house. The thought made her grin.
Alexander and Marcus looked at her in suspicion. Alexander had been afraid to leave until after Lady Cynthia and her aunt were long gone, as he had not wanted to run the risk of meeting them, so he was still in his friend’s chamber.
“You appear as if you found their visit pleasant,” Alexander ventured.
“Oh, indeed.
Alexander and Marcus exchanged a look. “Really. I did not realize Lady Cynthia was of such a congenial disposition. Perhaps I was mistaken in her,” Marcus said. This innocent comment had Emily grinning even wider.
“Tsk, tsk. You should not speak so disparagingly of your inamorata. She had much kinder things to say about you.”
“My what!” Marcus exclaimed, before Alexander nudged him in the shoulder. He had forgotten for the moment that he was not himself, but Wesleigh. And there had been rumors of his friend’s involvement with the girl.
Emily felt that such a discussion should not be carried on in the hallway. So she proceeded a few more feet into the room. “I am sorry,” she said, with a look of wide-eyed innocence. “Is that not the appropriate word for it? I did not mean to imply the relationship was not all that it should be.”
Marcus looked at Alexander in irritation. “You and your intrigues,” he muttered, only loud enough for Alexander to hear. Then he tried to think what Alexander would say if in this situation. “My dear girl, you must realize that my involvement with Lady Cynthia was not of a serious nature,” he told Emily. “It was just a lighthearted flirtation. I realize that you are not familiar with the ways of London society, but that sort of thing happens all the time.”
“That is just what Mama told her,” she assured Marcus, still the picture of innocence, but the barely suppressed smile giving her away.
“Your mother told Lady Cynthia what?” Alexander exclaimed, his look of amusement fading.
“Let me see . . .” Emily paused as if struggling to remember. “I believe she said that ‘idle gentleman often amuse themselves by flirting with pretty girls.’ That was, of course, in response to Lady Cynthia’s disclosure that she and Lord Wesleigh were engaged.”
“What!” Both men exclaimed in unison. Emily was enjoying herself immensely.
“Oh, I beg your pardon, she did not come out and say you were engaged,” she assured Marcus. “She just said that the announcement of your betrothal was expected at any moment. Dear me, I suppose I should not have repeated that. She did ask us to keep her confidence. However, I did not suppose there would be any harm in telling you. After all, I assume you would already be aware of the engagement if it were due to be announced at any moment.”
Marcus looked rather helplessly at his friend. Alexander nobly rose to the occasion, though he was reeling at the disclosure. How dared Lady Cynthia tell people they were engaged! He should have known better than to say two words to her, let alone flirt with her. “Miss Smithfield, I am sure you realize that a man in a position like Wesleigh here is liable to receive unwanted attention from females.”
Emily turned her innocent gaze in Alexander’s direction. “Then he did not flirt with her?”
“Quite right,” Marcus agreed, seeing a vision of himself forced to marry Lady Cynthia while masquerading as Lord Wesleigh flash before his eyes. “The girl has a vivid imagination.”
“Well, I can only say that I am sure Mama will be relieved to hear that.” She turned to leave the room, pausing before closing the door to remark, “Because she told Lady Abernathy and Lady Cynthia that you purposed to make an alliance with
“What a saucy girl it is,” Marcus said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Are you certain you want her? She will be a rare handful.”
“Oh, I am certain. She is exactly what I need. I cannot envision a dull moment with Emily around.” Alexander began to smile. “I must admit I would have liked to have been there when Lady Smithfield told the so-proper Lady Cynthia that she had been no more than a trifling flirtation.”
