“Perfect. You will most certainly be the most exquisite woman at the ball.”
“Thank you, Kitty,” Emma said sincerely. “I am not certain what I would have done if not for you.”
“There is no need to thank me, my dear friend. I simply wish for you to be happy.” Kitty smiled and retrieved the emerald gown from the bed.
She was grateful she had such a caring and wonderful friend in the duchess, but she continued to feel guilty for keeping a secret – especially one of such magnitude.
But did she really have another choice?
Emma was uncertain how Kitty would react if she were to learn of her intimate moment with William. Perhaps the duchess would understand. Or perhaps she would scold Emma for being such a fool.
Kitty had done so on a few occasions in the past when she had learned that Emma had been intimate with other men. She had made it abundantly clear that such things were meant for after marriage, but as Emma had such strong beliefs that opposed the duchess’, Kitty had learned to accept her for who she was.
Emma stared mindlessly into the mirror at her reflection as Kitty pinned her hair at the nape of her neck. She admired the duchess’s features and unfairly compared them with hers. Emma had always considered herself not to be as elegant or beautiful as her friend, which had made her feel somewhat insecure. But after a lengthy conversation with her mother and older sister, Emma had realized that she was beautiful in her own right, and she must not compare herself to others.
As Emma glanced once more at her reflection, she did not feel beautiful, as her conscience continued to eat away at her, darkening the light-filled corridors of her heart.
Chapter Eight
William slowly descended the main stairwell in Woodlock Manor, fidgeting with the buttons on his jacket. He had felt uncomfortable in his own skin since he had left the study the week prior, and he was well aware of why, although he would most certainly not admit it to anyone.
He had barely seen Emma since their day together, and it truly bothered him. His peace had been disturbed by the thought that he would not see her again if she left the estate forever.
What of what he wanted?
Did it not matter to her?
Did he not matter to her?
His thoughts trailed off once more as he absent-mindedly descended the stairwell, and his body jolted suddenly as he noticed his siblings standing at the foot of the stairwell.
“Brother, sister,” William greeted them with a charming smile, which was not in the least genuine. “It was not necessary for you to meet me, but I appreciate the sentiment.”
“Oh, William. You should realize by now that everything is not always about you and that the world does not revolve solely around you.” Elizabeth shrugged, looking magnificent in a rose-coloured gown and her golden hair interweaved with flowers from the garden.
The duke was dressed in dark grey formal wear, his hair parted to the side, and his jaw clenched in his usual manner.
William grinned and placed his hand against his heart. “Oh, how you hurt me.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and turned to James. “Perhaps we should take two coaches, brother? One coach would be much too crowded, and we would not want our lovely gowns to become creased.”
“Very well.”
“Brother, if I may,” William interjected and glanced at James. “There is no need for two coaches—”
“You are such a brute, William. Honestly, do you even care about anyone else except yourself?” Elizabeth exclaimed haughtily.
“I simply feel it is unnecessary for two coaches to be used,” William pointed out, but he noticed the duke’s attention was elsewhere.
As William followed James’s glance, he noticed the duchess dressed in an exquisite mauve gown with embroidery on the bodice. Her long, onyx tresses were delicately piled on the crown of her head, and her cheeks were pink.
The duke’s eyes sparkled as the duchess reached the bottom of the stairs and he gently took her hand, their love radiating throughout the entire hall.
Movement at the top of the staircase caught William’s eye and as he glanced up, the universe came to a halt. Emma slowly descended the staircase as well, and William’s heart started to pound.
She wore an emerald green gown with soft muslin sleeves that delicately draped over her pretty shoulders. The skirt of her gown was soft and embraced the curvature of her body as she moved.
Her red tresses were pinned at the nape of her neck, tendrils framing her beautiful face. William was mesmerized and sadly, there was nothing he could possibly do to make her his.
A few moments before Emma reached the foot of the stairs, William cleared his throat and stepped away.
“Sister, shall we take my coach?” William asked.
“Very well,” Elizabeth answered with a furrowed brow and turned to the duchess. “Ladies, you are both visions in those gowns. Truly.”
“I could certainly say the same about you, Elizabeth,” Kitty reciprocated, and Lizzie smiled.
“Thank you, my lady,” Emma answered gratefully.
“Do they not look utterly ravishing, brother?” Lizzie asked and glanced at him expectantly.
“Yes, indeed. Utterly ravishing,” William muttered, and as the last word left his lips, he recalled Emma’s words in his head.
“Now ravish me until I beg you to stop.”
William cleared his throat loudly, shifting his weight in discomfort and turned to the door. “Shall we go?”
William didn’t even wait for a response when he opened the door and stepped outside.
Two coaches stood in the driveway, ready to leave for Retford Manor, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Waltham. The sun was low in the sky, on its way towards the horizon, and soon the sky would be dark and littered with bright stars.
William hurried to his coach and opened the door for Elizabeth.
Lizzie finally emerged from the house, and did not utter a word as she climbed into the coach. William simply nodded at the duke before he also climbed in.
She glared at him from the seat opposite him,
