Christmas Bliss by A.S. Fenichel

Author:A.S. Fenichel
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2016-11-06T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

When the carriage arrived back at the Scarborough townhouse, John stepped down and spoke to one of the grooms.

The countess said, “Do not worry, my dear. John is very resourceful. You and he shall do very well together.”

“Do you really think so, my lady?”

“Of course.” She patted Emma’s hand. Then she laughed. “Had I known he would be so instantly smitten, I would have brought you over long ago. I should probably apologize to you. I admit I still thought of you as too young for John. I suppose that can happen when watching someone grow from birth.”

“I hope I have not ruined your plans for your son’s future.”

“Heavens no, you are much more suitable than any other girl I have paraded before John, and frankly, he never showed any interest until he saw you.” The countess wrapped on the roof of the carriage and a groom appeared at the door to help her down. Emma stepped from the carriage. John, who had shown no interest in marriage before, had taken one look at her and changed his mind. Impossible. It was like a fairy tale and not at all something that happened in real life.

Despite the late hour, Emma knew sleep would be impossible. She was too restless to retire. She kept waiting for her normal, reasonable, rational mind to reassert itself, but wondered if it ever would. From the moment, she made the logical decision to run to her aunt for help, her life had become a series of unbelievable events.

Evidently, John was not ready for bed either and followed him into the library.

“You know my uncle will not give up that easily.” Emma made her way across the room to an overstuffed chaise.

“Don’t worry so, my dear. He can do little else.”

“I think it was a bad idea to confront Uncle Drake tonight.” She shuddered at the memory of the scene her uncle had made. But part of her enjoyed seeing him brought low by John. Her uncle had bullied her for a year. It was good to see him as the weaker party.

John poured two small glasses of brandy, handed one to her and sat on the chaise with his hip pressed against her leg. “It was not as if he gave us any choice, Emma. Would you have rather I let him strike you? It was important to begin to be seen together in public. While the events of the evening were regrettable, we certainly were seen together. No one in our circle will doubt my feelings for you.”

Perhaps the ton wouldn’t, but Emma still wondered about how John felt. Could a man go to all of this trouble out of a sense of duty? Did he truly love her? He said he did. She shook her head and tried to be practical. “I’m still worried about Oliver. Uncle Drake will not be denied so easily.”

“I have placed two footmen at every entrance to the house. Several others will patrol the gardens. I have even hired a Bow Street runner to keep an eye on your uncle.

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