The Duke and the Bluestocking (Book 7, Age of Innocence) by Elizabeth Debra

Author:Elizabeth, Debra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-06-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Richmond looked forward to his morning rides with Emma. He loved seeing the joy on her face as she raced across the meadow. Each day, she was a bit more open with him, telling him about her childhood and listening as he regaled her with stories about his own. He’d been devastated when his older brother and father were killed in the carriage accident, and Emma seemed to understand the depth of his despair without being patronizing. To be thrust into the responsibilities of being the duke and supervising the upbringing of his sisters, and taking care of his tenants had been a monumental change in the direction of his life. He hadn’t decided what he wanted to do with his life before the accident, and that was probably a good thing because, with their deaths, his life was now mapped out for him.

He strode into the dining room, glad to see Emma already seated and eating a hearty breakfast. “Good morning, Miss Bainbridge.”

She looked up and gave him a brilliant smile. His heart skipped a beat. “Good morning, Your Grace. I hope you slept well.”

“I did indeed. Perhaps after our ride, you’d like to visit Warrington. I promised Sophia and Julia a trip into town.”

“I’d love to, most especially to find Charlotte some new books.”

“That very kind of you, Miss Bainbridge.”

“Not at all. We’ve enjoyed many books together, and I love spending time with her.”

Richmond filled his plate and, after eating his fill, offered his arm to Emma. “Are you ready?”

“Absolutely, Your Grace.”

“You look beautiful today, Miss Bainbridge.”

Emma was stunned. She had not expected that from the duke. No one had ever called her beautiful, especially not with Violet and Julia around. She had always felt like the ugly duckling sister and stammered her reply. “Uh…thank you, Your Grace. It’s very kind of you to say.”

“Nonsense. I only speak the truth.”

Frederick had their horses ready by the time they walked to the stables. “Good morning, Your Grace, Miss Bainbridge.”

“Good morning, Frederick,” Emma said.

“Hercules is ready for a good run today, Your Grace.”

“Good. I’ll make sure he gets it,”

Once they were seated on Hercules and Satine, Emma suggested they ride along the river. It was a scorcher of a day, even this early, and the shade would be a welcome relief from the heat.

“I can see why you love the country,” Richmond said. “The estate is quite beautiful.”

Emma nodded. “I have a greater appreciation of it now, after spending months in London, where the air is dirty, the streets are loud, and worst of all, I can’t see the stars at night.”

“I understand, although Town does have a certain appeal. Aren’t you looking forward to your debut?”

“Not at all, but my mother insists upon me having a Season. You are correct, though, about the appeal of London. I do love the museum and the bookstores.”

Richmond stored that information away as another piece of the puzzle that was Emma Bainbridge. As a peer of the realm, he would need to

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