The Seduction of Sebastian St. James (House of Renwick #2)(26)

“Good morning!” Emma tried to sound cheerful though she loathed mornings, and because of Sebastian, her brooding thoughts had kept her up until the wee hours of the morning.

“The children are with nurse, and I was wondering if you wanted to visit Lady Fenton and catch up on some gossip.”

Oh goodness, the loudest lady in London.

“Sure, give me a few minutes.”

Sara nodded and bounded out of the room. Emma searched desperately for something to wrap around her head so she would still have her hearing tonight when she was at the ball with Sebastian.

Within the hour, Sara and Emma were knocking on Lady Fenton’s door. The man who answered looked down on them and asked for their cards. Sara, not having any of that at her mother’s home, pushed past him and yelled Lady Fenton’s name. Sara had only recently learned that she was the illegitimate daughter of Lady Fenton and the deceased Duke of Haines.

“Ah, my gels!” Lady Fenton yelled as she rounded the corner with arms raised.

At forty and five years she was still a beautiful woman, with shots of grey in her otherwise auburn hair. Emma hadn’t seen her since before the incident, but she remembered the twinkle in Lady Fenton’s crystal blue eyes and the pitch of her voice.

Fortunately, it seemed her voice wasn’t as loud as Emma remembered.

“And look at you!”

There goes my hearing.

“So beautiful!”

And sanity.

“And your bosom!”

Oh look, my dignity just flew out the window.

“Thank you, Lady Fenton. It’s been too long since we’ve talked.” Emma curtsied and followed the two women into the drawing room.

“So, what’s the latest on-dit?” Sara’s eyes shined with excitement, while Emma’s eyes scrutinized the situation. Nicholas did need to take his poor wife out more if she was this starved for gossip.

“Well!” Lady Fenton cleared her throat. “I have it on good authority there is to be an announcement of gigantic proportions tonight!”

Emma shifted in her seat and nervously looked to Sara, who seemed not the least bit disturbed by the news.

“Truly?” Sara said.

“Why yes, and I hear it’s going to be from the Duke of Tempest himself. Isn’t he staying with you, my dear?”

“I’m sure that is his grace’s business to share, Mother.” Sara hid her smile behind her teacup. Emma coughed.

“It’s just as well that he plans to settle down. Word around town is no woman has ever been able to catch the man. Oh, he’s had his mistresses all right. But he’s the unreachable. I would eat my bonnet if a lady could get him to settle down, or better yet, if a certain lady could make him fall in love.”

Emma accidently let out a long sigh. Both women’s eyes bore into her.

“Sorry, I, um...”

“She’s tired,” Sara excused.

“Anyway.” Lady Fenton waved her hand in the air. “It is no matter. He’ll probably marry some young girl who’s still green behind the ears, a girl without scandal.”

Emma felt her face grow hot, even though she knew Lady Fenton had no idea her reputation at the country estate. Her parents had done a good job of “cleaning up the mess,” or so they phrased it. She unclenched her hands and tried to pay attention but couldn’t help but wonder what Sebastian was doing at that moment.

Just then a butler announced the Duchess of Tempest. Of all the rotten luck. Eyes twinkling, she gracefully entered the room and embraced Lady Fenton before taking a seat. The woman was so regal it hurt Emma’s eyes to look at her. The duchess’s head to toe jewels reminded Emma that this woman was not only important, but she was extremely wealthy and powerful. Oh, yes, and somewhat insane, considering she had asked Emma to seduce her grandson.

“I do hope I’m not intruding,” the duchess said.

“Oh, Annabel, you could never intrude!” Lady Fenton smiled as she took another sip of tea. Emma prayed both ladies would soon tire of talk so she could go back to the house and hide. “We were actually just discussing your grandson and his impending marriage.”

“Ah….” The duchess looked at Emma. “So did you do what I asked then, my dear.”

All eyes darted to her.

She could have burst into flames, her face felt so hot. “I, um...”

“Oh, don’t be shy!” the duchess urged. “How did you do it? Did you corner him? Spike his tea?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Oh let me guess, all you needed to do was flutter those gorgeous eyes and he was finished.” She winked and patted Emma on the knee.

Sara and Lady Fenton’s eyes bulged.

Perfect.

Emma tried to think of a good lie, or anything to get her out of the awkward situation she now found herself in.

“Emma.” Lady Fenton’s grin could not get any wider. “Don’t tell me you are to be engaged to the duke?”

She couldn’t find her voice.

Sara spoke. “Well, it’s all hush-hush at the moment. You understand how these things are.”

Both ladies nodded emphatically.

“I’m just relieved he’s finally settling down. I worry about that boy. He’s so concerned with his reputation, with making his family proud. I’d be proud of him regardless of his reputation. I do love him, you know.”