A Regency Romance and Murder Mystery Box Set by Anya Wylde

Author:Anya Wylde
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2015-10-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Emma addressed the Duke, “I was learning how to weed. I intend to have my own garden, and this seemed the best way to learn.”

“I thought I told you not to wander out alone.”

A flash of anger crossed Emma’s face before it was quickly concealed. She hated the way the Duke tried to run everyone’s life, never allowing anyone, not even his own daughter, to walk unaccompanied in her own home.

“I am not alone. Lady Babbage is sitting right there, and I had asked her permission,” she said defensively.

The Duke looked down at her face and rightly guessed her thoughts. He let out a tired sigh and said, “Forgive me, I did not notice her.”

Emma gave a short nod.

The Duke waited for a moment before walking away with Mrs Barker clinging to his arm.

“That Duke . . . ” muttered the Earl, prudently keeping the rest of his thoughts to himself.

Their pleasant moment together was ruined. She spent the next hour staying silent while he softly pointed out some plant or the other.

He could see she was not attending, and he finally suggested that she should go back indoors. The day was becoming chilly, and she was not warmly dressed.

Lady Babbage took Emma’s arm and they started walking back.

“That gardener is not what he seems,” she said idly.

Emma tripped, and after steadying herself said, “Whatever do you mean?”

“He is younger than he is pretending to be, isn’t he?”

Emma turned to face her in shock.

“I noticed his face was not lined. He had more agility than a man of his age should have had. Is he someone you love? Someone you do not want the Earl to know about?”

“No! It’s nothing like that.”

“I was young once and know what it is to love without a care for status and riches. The Earl is a rich man and an excellent match. I perfectly understand your feelings, my dear. You can confide in me, you know.”

“I don’t know what you mean. I would never do that to a man I was betrothed to. I am not having an affair, and I didn’t notice anything odd about the gardener.”

A flash of irritation crossed Lady Babbage’s face, and she tightened her grip on Emma’s arm. It took her a moment to compose herself and say soothingly, “I apologise, I think of you as I think of Catherine. Even if I am not your chaperone, you have, after all, grown up in this household. Your parents may not have appointed me your guardian, but the Duke surely intends for me to care for you just as I do for his own daughter. I have seen you every summer from the time you were born. I think I have earned the right to caution you. I did not mean to overstep my bounds.”

Emma refused to speak. They were rapidly approaching the house, and she quickened her steps.

Lady Babbage had no trouble keeping up. She continued speaking, “I have learnt to observe people around me and understand them.

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