Chemistry of Magic: Unexpected Magic Book Five (Unexpected Magic #5)(47)
“Where are you going dressed like that?” he asked in absent-minded puzzlement as he pulled on his gloves.
Emilia’s spirits plummeted. “Is this not the day we meet with the duke?”
“Pascoe and I do,” Dare said curtly. “But this is a business, not a social call.”
“But it’s my business as well. It’s not just male business.” Too upset to restrain herself, she hit him with her largest weapon. “Besides, the duke and I share a gift. I’m most eager to discuss it with him, even though I understand his healing talent has more to do with neurological problems than mine.”
He frowned in confusion and continued toward the door. “We’re not discussing health. You’ll be bored to death. Even Lady Pascoe is staying home.”
“That’s because she is suffering morning sickness. Besides, she and the duke are old friends. They discuss medical matters all the time,” Emilia protested, keeping up with his long strides. “I’ve never met him. I cannot communicate with a duke without an introduction.”
Dare glared down at her. “Emilia, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had expectations of a social call. Some other time, perhaps. We don’t have time for it today.”
“Why is it all right for you to talk with a duke and not me?” Outrage, humiliation, and disappointment at being swept aside swamped her—especially after she’d just dared to reveal that she had a healing talent, and he hadn’t even reacted! Was he not listening? She’d thought Dare, of all people, noticed her!
She stuttered helplessly, unable to express herself. She pounded her feeble fist on his broad chest until clearer words emerged. “You do not understand! The duke is a Malcolm. He’s a healer. Do you have any idea how rare our gifts are? Perhaps he could give me advice so I needn’t be afraid to use mine!”
She’d exposed her soul and was very much afraid she would burst into tears.
From Dare’s horrified expression, he feared the same. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Sommersville is a physician, yes. But he does not practice medicine. We’re to talk railroads. Now, I really must go.”
She wouldn’t cry. It was her own fault for not being brave enough to explain her gift or her fears. Her husband wasn’t a Malcolm. He had no understanding. She’d known that when she’d married him.
But he ought to at least listen.
“Fine,” she shouted after him. “Do not complain if I go visiting on my own!”
“Not until we hire footmen,” he called back, before entering Ashford’s great lumbering carriage and letting the marquess’s footman slam the door.
Since he was taking their only male servants, he was telling her to stay home.
Not bloody likely. She was dressed to go calling, and by all the goddesses, she would go calling.
Perhaps she wouldn’t attempt the duke today since he would be otherwise occupied, but there was one call they hadn’t had time to make.
She located Mrs. Wiggs overseeing the parlor maid. “If you have a footman and groom in mind, could you send for them?”
“Jemmie and Luke,” she said instantly, bobbing her capped head. “I told them to be ready, what with the new horses and all. I’ll have them come around.”
With that settled, Emilia returned upstairs to the office where Bessie worked. “I need you to accompany me. When the new groom arrives to hitch up the gig, we’ll go visiting.”
Bessie’s eyes widened, but trained well, she didn’t question direct orders. She bobbed a curtsy and hurried off to find hat and gloves.
Grimly studying her scarecrow reflection in a hall mirror, Emilia decided she looked suitably impressive to terrorize human vermin.
She knew the direction to Hadenton. It was just a matter of making a few inquiries before finding the corrupt Mr. Crenshaw.
“I’m disappointed you didn’t bring your delightful wives,” the duke said as a maid laid out the tea table. “I am much more interested in how the infirmary fares than in railroads.”
Dare tried not to drop his teeth in shock. Dukes weren’t supposed to dabble in female matters! Battling a cough after the long dusty drive, he let Pascoe respond.
“Bridey sends her best wishes and hopes you will invite her soon so she may discuss her next steps. But our railroad concern is more immediate.” Pascoe poured the tea since there were no women to do so.
“Then you really need to speak with my son. Rainsford is far more familiar with that sort of thing than I am. He should be here shortly.”
Tall, with a full head of silver hair, the duke was the picture of a distinguished aristocrat, but he didn’t wield the overbearing authority of his station. What had Emilia said about his neurological interests? Dare had difficulty understanding why a duke would have any interest in such a menial profession as a physician. There was probably a story there that he was too impatient to learn.
The marquess of Rainsford arrived shortly after. Taller and thinner than his father, he carried himself with the languid grace of a privileged heir. After shaking hands, he poured his own tea and settled in a wing chair.
“I’ve had reason to look into railroad investments recently,” the marquess said without prompting. “There is an association of bankers and merchants in Harrogate eager to establish their mineral springs as the new health spa, better than Bath. They believe railroads are their future.”