Chemistry of Magic: Unexpected Magic Book Five (Unexpected Magic #5)(6)

Even in his illness, Montague Dare was a dashingly handsome gentleman. Had she been any other female, she might have swooned at his attentions. Unfortunately, she had more sense than that. She removed her hand to avert any potential pain, delicately laid her glove on his filthy coat sleeve, and allowed him to lead her to the drawing room, where Lady Dare and two girls barely out of the schoolroom studied them with worlds of hope in their eyes. Emilia had sisters of that age, excitedly anticipating their coming-outs in a few years, full of the expectation of youth. She almost wept at their optimism that all would be well.

No matter how terrified she was of what she’d just agreed to do, she must remember that her purpose was to help others. Nervously, she clung to Lord Dare’s sleeve as he made his announcement of their betrothal.

The girls cried out in excitement and flung themselves at their brother, despite his dirt. To Emilia’s dismay, the demonstrative Lady Dare hugged her. She stiffened against the onslaught of prickles, but if the older lady harbored any real pain, it was swept away on the tide of her joy and relief.

“You will never regret this, my dear,” the viscountess declared happily. “God has sent you our way, and we will take care of you as our own precious treasure.”

Seeing Emilia’s discomfort, Lord Dare lifted his mother and handed her back to his sisters. They all wiped tears, and then Lady Dare flung her short arms around his broad chest, smearing herself with soot. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me!” she cried.

Apparently, Emilia’s dreams weren’t the only ones achieved today.

Over his mother’s head, her betrothed crooked an eyebrow as if to ask Are you sure this is what you want?

Well, no, she wasn’t sure at all. She simply had no other choice.



“You’ve done what?” Lady McDowell asked in horror that evening, as Emilia presented her betrothal as a fait accompli. Her broad face paled against the dusky gloom of the family parlor.

“You are the one who told me about Lord Dare.” Emilia did not generally fritter her time in the parlor, but even as independent as she was, she knew she needed the help of her family to forge this next step in her life. “He was a perfect gentleman, and his family is thrilled.”

“I should imagine they are,” her mother said grimly. “But you might have consulted me and your father first. I swear, Emilia, there isn’t a feminine instinct in your entire body. You actually went to his house?”

“Of course. I needed to speak with him alone. We have agreed that it should only take a week to arrange the marriage settlements and obtain a special license.”

The obstinate man had also insisted that he could not continue living in his mother’s house once they were wedded. They’d had their first argument when Lord Dare had declared that he was perfectly capable of journeying all the way to her inherited estate in Yorkshire.

That had not been her plan at all, and the argument had left her more than a little uncomfortable. She was apprehensive about his expectations of married life, but she had not anticipated the argument and had not prepared a speech about a proper marriage of convenience. Surely he understood the terms of their arrangement.

Even she had been forced to agree that he could not stay with his weeping mother and sisters. Her grandfather’s cottage was large enough to house both of them in their own suites. She didn’t think Dare would like rural life much, but Harrogate was nearby. He could probably rent an inexpensive flat there once he grew bored in the village. He had a manservant to look after him, after all.

“I would like the ceremony to be held at our home in Cambridge, if possible,” Emilia told her mother. “That will nicely break Lord Dare’s journey so he has time to rest before we depart for Alder.” At least this way, if they left together after the ceremony, it would look like a true marriage. Not being under the eye of all society would be an immense relief.

Lady McDowell hastily wiped at her eye. “My eldest daughter, the first to be married. I have dreamed of this moment for years, and I cannot even prepare a sumptuous celebration? It’s August. There is no one about anywhere!”

Emilia had only seen her mother cry once, long, long ago. She had no wish ever to see her weep again. That was half the reason she was doing this. Awkwardly, she leaned over to pat her mother’s hand. “Please, Mama, for Lydia and all the other children who can be saved, I must do this. You know I must. I was never meant for a real marriage. And Lord Dare understands as I cannot expect any other man to do.”

Her mother dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “He and his family are so traditional. I had hoped. . . Your cousins found nice Ives men who understand their gifts. . .”

Emilia shook her head. “You know for yourself how disorienting and painful it is for me to be touched. Now that I’ve found a way to heal with herbs, it’s much less dangerous than using my hands. And the benefit of healing with herbs is that anyone can do it. Lydia is breathing easier now, isn’t she? She doesn’t need me?”

Lady McDowell took a deep breath that lifted her ample bosom. “You are right, of course. I do not know how you knew to mix your herbs with steam so her asthma has almost disappeared. After we almost lost her. . .” She picked up her notes and turned a page. “I will send a note to the staff in Cambridge to set the house to rights. Another to my sisters who can send the word out. We will have a celebration, if it’s the last thing I do.”