The Earl of Scandal by Rebecca Dash

Author:Rebecca Dash
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2017-08-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Days ticked by, and then weeks. The Duke of Humbershire was slowly giving Emily hints he might have feelings for her, but was still sullen and brooding whenever they would meet. Perhaps he could never change who he was at his age. Her mother had shared news about the duke’s plan to have a grand wedding. It worried Emily. In spite of her best attempts to love him, her heart belonged to someone else.

Looking in the mirror, Emily practiced holding her posture in a regal manner and smiling most alluringly, but her hand was shaking enough to ruin it. She had to try hard just to steady herself. The day of the Bartholomew Fair had finally arrived. Emily didn’t realize it was possible to long for and dread an event in equal measure. She had put on quite a few pieces of jewelry to impress Lord Ashencrest though the thought kept her agitated. She was torn between him and her fiance as well as her responsibility to her parents. A proper lady would stay faithful to her future husband. Wasn’t that the girl they raised?

Unable to keep herself still, Emily unfastened her jewelry and decided to attend the fair without the adornment of her precious stones which she inherited from her mother.

“What shall I do?” she said to her reflection, then turned away from it and walked to the window. The garden she used to paint for hours was right beneath her. Emily pushed the double windows open and breathed in fresh air. At least the garden still made her happy, even if it would never be in the same way again. A blue bird with a yellow breast landed on the windowsill.

“How are you, little friend?” said Emily.

It began singing and the pleasant sound soothed her to the core.

“I am not myself lately. I have not painted in over a month and cannot even decide whether to put jewelry on anymore. There is a certain gentleman who I am trying to be sure notices me, but it’s not right. I am engaged, and it’s a terrible thing to be treacherous to one’s betrothed. A proper young lady ought to conduct herself accordingly, but it is difficult when I know I will marry the man of my fate. It is destiny. I can feel it in my heart. So, what else can I do but be a horrible woman? The wedding has already been postponed. Should I cancel it altogether? My parents’ hearts shall tear to pieces. I cannot let that happen.”

“Emily…” Her sister’s voice echoed from downstairs.

“I’ll be there, Helena. Just give me a second.”

She waited for the blue bird to finish its song. It would be rude to leave before the grand finale. Emily smiled and waved as it flew away, then closed her window. She stood there for another moment before leaving.

Mrs. Brookes was occupied in the kitchen, preparing luncheon before her husband came back home.

“You must promise me you two will be very careful,” she said.

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