Chapter Twenty #2
When a couple of footmen began carrying in the trunks, Emily cast a glance at Wylder before joining her mother, Charlotte, and Penelope as they walked up the terrace steps.
Lady Blackthorne was explaining the room assignments, noting that she had placed Lucien and Charlotte in the largest and grandest of all the guest rooms, but Emily paid little heed to that.
All of her attention lay centered on Wylder.
How handsome he was in dark breeches and riding boots, his riding coat thrown over one arm as he watched Emily walk away.
She wanted to turn and run back to him. Tell everyone just how much she loved him and that she wanted to spend the rest of her life in his arms. It would be a scandalous way of exposing their affair, but Emily had never wanted anything more in that space of a few seconds.
But that is impossible. Dangerous and impossible.
Wylder’s eyes lingered upon her, an appreciative gleam within those cloud-gray depths letting Emily know that he did indeed like the color blue on her form.
She gave him a small smile and was exhilarated when the firm lines of his mouth tipped upward.
Then he turned back to the conversation, and the strange little moment that just passed between them was over.
*
With the arrival of more guests, everyone had gathered to partake of the refreshments offered on the expansive lawns.
With Blackthorne’s statuary gardens and whimsical folly serving as the focal centerpiece, various amusements provided entertainment.
On one side of the lawns, an archery range had been set up.
A few gentlemen and ladies were already there practicing their skills.
Emily bypassed that, headed instead toward the opposite lawn where two games of bowls were taking place.
Wylder stood off to the side of one of the alleys, watching Lucien and Simon compete against one another.
Charlotte and Penelope stood alongside him, and for a brief moment, Emily thought back to the moment Wylder indicated he might consider courting her best friend.
A pang of jealousy, sharp and unrelenting, stabbed her heart with enough force that it left her breathless and her steps faltering.
If she reacted so strongly to the possibility Wylder might marry someone so dear to her, how on earth would she survive if he should wed someone she did not know? How could she stand by and impassively endure another woman claiming the honor of becoming his wife?
Biting her bottom lip, she watched her brother say something to the group that had them all laughing.
The camaraderie between the three men was something special.
It always had been. Even their exploits, while indeed scandalous, only added to their collective charm.
But there was a definite air of change drifting through the air.
Emily could see it quite clearly, and she wondered if the others would notice it, too.
Lucien’s attention was rarely on the game he played.
Rather, his gaze strayed often to Charlotte and the charged electricity passing between them during those moments, even while standing amid a gathering of people, was breathtaking to witness.
The man was completely bewitched by his wife; that much was apparent. This left hope that the two remaining rakehells could also be captured by the right woman.
“Emily… do come join us,” Charlotte called out, catching sight of Emily as she drew closer.
Wylder’s gaze flickered to her for a brief moment before his attention shifted back to Penelope and the conversation between them.
Penelope’s face pinkened with something that almost resembled guilt before her own gaze dropped from Emily’s stare.
“I believe Simon has Lucien bested this time,” Charlotte said with a giggle when Lucien shot her an exasperated glare over his shoulder.
“How can I win when I’m being distracted in such a manner?” Lucien grumbled. “You know very well that dress and hat are among my favorites on you. I cannot be blamed for losing two games in a row in light of such temptation.”
“Might I remind you, dear husband, that it was you who selected this outfit?” Charlotte replied with a cheeky grin. “I’d say you are to blame for your own downfall, sir.”
Lucien threw the curved ball down onto the ground and threw up his hands in mock surrender.
“I concede the game, Camden,” he laughingly said to Simon.
Striding toward Charlotte, he gathered her into his arms and swung her arm.
“Oh, siren. You know very well that you are my downfall.” Not caring they’d garnered an audience, the Earl of Ashcroft gave his blushing wife a heated kiss.
“And I cannot say I have any complaints at all, my lady.”
Emily’s heart tightened even more, envy stamping itself like firebrands across her soul. Her gaze helplessly drifted to Wylder only to find him staring at her with the same covetous gleam in his silver eyes.
Penelope cleared her throat. “I believe I’ll go sit with Lady Bashear and Lady Blackthorne for a while.” She looked somewhat distracted as she added, “Emily, may we speak privately?”
Emily nodded, allowing Penelope to draw her aside. Was her friend on the verge of confessing her acceptance of Wylder’s courtship? She steeled herself for that possibility, hoping she was wrong.
“I know what you were thinking, Emily, and you know I would never betray you in such a manner.” Penelope’s soft green eyes held Emily’s, her smile tremulous.
“I think Lord Wyldewood was simply being kind, engaging me in conversation because God knows I would not initiate it on my own. And… perhaps I’m completely wrong, but I have the feeling he was goading Simon. ”
Emily deflated, ashamed that her misplaced jealousy was clouding her reason. Impulsively, she embraced Penelope, her eyes pricking with tears. “Thank you, Penelope.”
Penelope laughed softly, holding Emily for a long moment. “I don’t even know why you worry so. Wyldewood sees only you. If only Simon would realize it and give his blessing, things would be so much easier.”
“That will never happen, but it is a lovely dream,” Emily said sadly as she finally pulled away. She glanced toward Wyldewood and noted the slight frown he wore as he watched them. “What are your impressions of Charlotte?”
“She is the sweetest girl I believe I’ve ever met,” Penelope sighed.
“Almost too sweet for the ton. Thank goodness she’s married Ashcroft.
I cannot imagine that he would allow anyone to upset her.
He dotes on her every word, and she practically worships him.
” Her chin trembled. “I’ve decided I want to follow your plan, Emily. ”
Emily’s throat tightened with concern. “Are you sure, Pen?” She had the feeling that her friend was now looking for an escape from the uncomfortable expectations of mingling with people celebrating Lord and Lady Ashcroft’s return to society instead of simply avoiding an unwanted marriage.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Penelope whispered, her moss-green eyes finding Simon once more before darting back to Emily.
“I’m sorry I cannot be of much help in distracting your brother.
Since Ashcroft and Charlotte arrived, he seems as determined to avoid me as he was to talk to me last night. I find his behavior very confusing.”
“I find it confusing as well,” Emily admitted, then changing the subject, she said, “I hear that Lady Beshear’s grandnephew has arrived. He is apparently not as odious as we imagined him to be. In fact, he’s quite handsome.”
Penelope nodded. “Yes, I met him earlier. He’s very charming, too.” She looked toward the clump of trees where a few of the ladies had taken shelter from the sun. “Lady Bashear is beckoning for us to come to her, but there is no need for both of us to go.”
Emily groaned. “Do you think she will be offended if we don’t?”
“Probably, but I will take the brunt of her displeasure,” Penelope said with a small smile. “I’ve had enough practice dealing with my mother.”