Incognito

same, Emily, he thought to himself. They are one and the same.

Chapter Five

Emily returned home to be confronted by a furious Lydia. “Emily! Where were you? Mr. Sedgewick and I were forced to walk in circles in the hopes that you would catch up to us. When you did not come, Mr. Sedgewick was forced to escort me to the house, and Wiggins gave me such a look. I was quite ashamed, and poor Mr. Sedgewick did not know which way to look.”

“Oh, pooh, Lydia. I do not know why you should concern yourself with what our butler thinks.” Emily sounded confident, but she had turned a little red under Wiggins’s disapproving gaze as well when she had shown up unchaperoned on Mr. Williams’s arm. Thankfully he had been with the family long enough that they could trust him not to gossip.

“What took you so long, Emily? Mr. Sedgewick and I could not even see where you and Mr. Williams had gone.”

“Oh, I twisted my ankle a little, and we were forced to walk slowly.” Emily dismissed her sister’s exclamations of concern with a wave of her hand. “Never mind me. Did you and Mr. Sedgewick have a nice time together?”

“Well, of course. I always enjoy Mr. Sedgewick’s company. Although most of our conversation was taken up with where you had gone. I cannot imagine, Emily, that even with a twisted ankle, it took you so long to get home. Why, you are not even limping!”

“Never mind all that. I know, I know, it was wrong of me to leave you two alone together as I did. But did you talk of anything interesting? Did he pay you compliments, or attempt to court you at all?”

“Of course not! I hope you do not think, just because of my foolish infatuation, that Mr. Sedgewick returns my regard. He thinks of me only as another lamb in his flock.”

“Only if he were a wolf. Do not talk such nonsense, Lydia. It is quite apparent that the gentleman is in love with you.” Emily sincerely hoped she would be forgiven these little exaggerations in the interest of true love.

“What do you mean?” a pale Lydia asked. “Surely I have not betrayed my feelings in some manner. I would just die if he and I were the topic of local gossip.”

“No, no, of course you are not. Perhaps I exaggerated a little.” That, at least, was the truth. “I have been talking to Mr. Williams—”

“Emily! You have not betrayed my confidence to Mr. Williams! How could you?”

“Lydia, would you stop acting like the heroine of a bad tragedy! No, I did not betray your confidence. I did not have to. Mr. Williams noticed you and Mr. Sedgewick when you sang together the other evening, and mentioned that he thought Mr. Sedgewick had an interest in you but felt you were above his touch.”

There was a pause, while Lydia assumed a tragic pose worthy of Sarah Siddons. “What nobility, what strength of character, to think that I am above his touch. It is I that am not worthy of him.”

Emily had never paid much attention to her sister’s histrionic tendencies in the past. But today she was finding it quite wearing trying to anticipate what role Lydia would be playing next. Emily suppressed a sigh and tried to think which approach she should take. If she allowed Lydia to continue on in this vein, she would have Sedgewick and herself nobly sacrificing themselves for love, à la Romeo and Juliet. However, there would be no suicide; that would be far too vulgar. Lydia would probably just don wispy, fluttery clothing and mourn her lost love by heaving great sighs and peering out windows.

“Nonsense, Lydia.” Emily decided to take the direct, sensible approach, although Lydia in love was the complete opposite. “You are perfect for each other. We just need to ensure that you are committed to each other prior to the marquess’s arrival.”

“Committed to each other? Whatever do you mean?”

Emily’s patience was wearing thin. “You know, betrothed. Perhaps married. Some irrevocable commitment that would make it impossible for you to marry Lord Wesleigh.”

“Married? Emily, he’ll be here any day. How could we possibly be married prior to his arrival?”

“Oh, Lydia, I don’t know. Hopefully you will not have to be. I just mentioned it as a last resort. But, if there is no other alternative, there’s always Gretna Green.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth Emily knew she’d regret them. She had never before seen quite that expression of horror on her sister’s face. Surprisingly, it did not detract from her beauty. Lydia’s rosebud lips formed a perfect O, and her blue eyes widened attractively. Emily knew that if she tried to assume a similar expression, she would end up looking like a gargoyle. “Forget I even said anything about Gretna, Lydia. I am positive you will not need to elope. All we really need is to assure ourselves of Mr. Sedgewick’s feelings toward you, and then we can explain the impossibility of your marriage to the marquess. Now, what will you wear to the assembly?”

Alexander was having similar difficulties with Sedgewick. He, too, was furious about having been abandoned with Lydia.

“But I thought you enjoyed Miss Smithfield’s company,” Alexander exclaimed, the picture of innocence.

“Of course I do, she is a well-behaved young lady, but that does not answer the fact—”

“You do not have any interest in her beyond that?”

“I am not sure I understand. What do you mean by that question? My feelings toward the lady are entirely proper—”

“Yes, yes. I am sure they are,” Alexander assured him, while racking his brain to think of a way to force a confession from someone so concerned with respectability. “However, Miss Emily Smithfield intimated to me that Miss Lydia Smithfield may have an interest in you beyond mere friendship.”

“Miss Smithfield said that?” For a moment Jonathan Sedgewick allowed a look of amazed delight to cross his features, but it quickly turned into one of suspicion. “Why would she tell you that?”

“Apparently she thought that you may return her sister’s feelings, and she was concerned that her sister might be forced into an arranged marriage with me.”

“So she knows that you are actually Lord Wesleigh?”

“No, no, she doesn’t know. I meant she is concerned that her sister might be forced into a marriage with Lord Wesleigh.”

“Why would she confide in you her feelings if she did not know you were he?”

“Because she knew me to be your friend, and was hopeful that I could confirm that you returned her sister’s regard.” Alexander did not allow his exasperation to show on his face, but he wished his friend would just take him at his word and cease his interrogation.

His wish was granted. A look of bemusement crossed Sedgewick’s face, and he grew so quiet Alexander thought he’d forgotten his presence. But, as Alexander watched him, he saw his friend’s expression change from elation to despair. “It is useless even to hope,” Sedgewick muttered.

“But, why? It’s obvious you care for the lady, she returns your regard, the time-honored antidote for such a situation is marriage.”

“But, her parent and your own wish for her to marry you. You have all the advantages, wealth, the title. What do I have to offer her? I cannot even compete.”

“You do not have to,” Alexander replied. “I withdraw from the competition. I have no desire to marry a lady who is in love with another. However, I find myself reluctant to try to explain to my father and Miss Smithfield’s mother that as Lydia Smithfield is in love with another gentleman, I withdraw my suit. It would obviously be very embarrassing for the young lady with no proof that the gentleman in question returned her regard. Therefore, I need your assistance. You are going to have to put your luck to the touch at the local assembly.”

Emily viewed her appearance in the mirror with approval. She knew that she was not up to London’s fashion standards, and she wished she were able to wear more vibrant hues than an unmarried miss was allowed, but she was definitely in looks. She was wearing the palest of pinks, almost white, which suited her coloring better than