Doctor Who: Rogue by Kate Herron & Briony Redman

Author:Kate Herron & Briony Redman [Herron, Kate & Redman, Briony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House UK
Published: 2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Impolite Society

In the grand entrance hall, Emily was thrilled to be huddled together with Ruby, her new favourite friend. She had now danced seven dances at the Pemberton ball. Seven! And not one with the same gentleman. Her sisters must be wondering what had come over their usually more reticent sibling. Miss Ruby had provided her quite the inspiration. As for Lord Barton, she hadn’t thought of him in nearly thirty minutes.

‘I thought I ran about a lot with the Doctor, but that was just exercise,’ exclaimed Ruby as she poured them both punch. ‘Good thing the music’s stopped for a bit.’

The entrance hall was busy, and Emily searched for Lord Barton, hoping she might spot him spotting her, having fun without him. She wondered how he was feeling; he had barely looked her way since leaving the library. Perhaps he had seen her dancing and was now off somewhere feeling incredibly jealous. Yes, that was what was happening. He was no doubt regretting the way he’d abandoned her without a proposal; perhaps at this very second he was plotting ways to win her back.

Emily, of course, could not accept an offer of marriage from him now. Her time with Ruby had made her realise that she was more than capable of making her own fun at a party, with or without his attention. Even if he once again professed his love, how could she entrust her heart to a man who had thrown it aside so willingly? It would take no end of promises, gifts and attention for her to even consider him again; something that would prove not only to Emily but to all society that she was worthy of his complete adoration. Only then could a proper and fitting marriage proposal be accepted.

Emily glanced over at the doorway to the ballroom, waiting to see if an admonished Lord Barton would emerge. Instead, she saw the Duchess.

The Duchess waved. ‘Cooeee! Lady Ruby!’

Ruby ducked her head down and groaned. It was an actual groan with no attempt to cover her mouth.

It’s as if she’s a stable boy! thought Emily.

‘She wants to marry me off,’ Ruby said airily. ‘I shouldn’t have danced with Lord Alker.’

The Duchess pushed past her guests (and their compliments), making a beeline for the pair. Emily recognised the look of determination on the Duchess’s face. But the Duchess didn’t even glance in her direction.

Her focus was solely on Ruby.

Usually, Emily would never stand in the way of a host’s wishes yet, as she watched the Duchess advance and Ruby’s face contort into a grimace, she made a choice that surprised herself. She grabbed Ruby’s hand and gave it a brief squeeze.

‘She’ll have to catch you first!’ Emily’s usually coy face was full of mischief as she pulled Ruby away, towards the staircase.

‘Are we even allowed up here?’

‘Not in good society. So we had better not get caught!’

Emily and Ruby laughed as they raced up the stairs.

Ruby felt quite proud of Emily. She’d known there had to be a little rebel underneath all that fan waving; she’d just had to find it.

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