Let the Lady Decide by Gemma Blackwood

Author:Gemma Blackwood [Blackwood, Gemma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-19T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

So, of the six suitors her father had approved for her, only one remained! Poor Digby had fallen victim to his own duplicity. The Marchese had been outed as a disreputable rake. The Marquess had another woman in his heart. Tilbury wanted only one thing from her, and marriage was neither here nor there. Lord Jonathan was an obsessive gambler.

The last man standing was the Earl of Corden. He would not have been her first choice... truth be told, he was not even her third. But there he was, standing in his usual silence at the edge of the ballroom, and Emily was determined now more than ever to persuade him to dance.

Dancing with her future husband might be the only way to banish thoughts of James Marsden from her mind. That tempting, teasing, infuriating man!

She could not believe she had nearly been as silly as Cynthia Collins, and fallen for him. Her heart would not mend as easily as flighty young Cynthia's.

"You seem distracted, my lady," said the Earl. Emily was grateful for his concern. At least it proved he had noticed her. And what was she doing, standing in silence beside him with her head full of another man?

"I am quite well, thank you, my lord. Only a little fatigued after my dance with Lord Jonathan." And he had been swiftly dismissed towards the gaming room once their dance was over – not that he seemed to care. James was right. Oh, why did he have to be right? "Which brings me to a rather delicate subject." There was nothing for it: she would have to take matters into her own hands. "You have not yet asked me to dance."

The Earl blinked. "Should I have done?"

"I must admit I am rather offended that you have not."

Still, he hesitated! "You must know that it does not indicate a lack of regard for you, my lady."

"But if such regard exists, the proper way to show it is by dancing. Surely you see my point, my lord?" Emily raised her eyebrow and waited. "Or am I to assume that you have no special consideration for me?"

The Earl was astonished by her bluntness. For a long moment, he appeared to have lost the power of speech. "My lady –"

"Do you intend to dance with me, or not?" Emily demanded. She thanked her lucky stars that her mother was not in the vicinity. This boldness would have earned her the most awful scolding.

The Earl hung his head. "Please forgive me. I did not realise that I had offended. I... I would be very happy to dance with you."

The man spoke as though she were leading him to the gallows! "Good," said Emily, choosing to ignore his tone. At least he seemed to be genuinely sorry. "I am free at present, in fact. Why don't you lead me onto the dance floor?"

The Earl offered her his arm. He did not look at her as he led her forward. His face was set in a grim mask of determination.

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