“I hope I brought something better.” Blake grinned, trying to look charming and nonchalant, his heart fluttering in his chest.
Of course, they all brought flowers.
“A bold claim to make, especially from a man who appears to carry nothing with him.” Emily laughed as she gestured to him.
“Nothing you can see,” Blake replied softly. “Please, Miss Emily, help me get to Jane. I need to see her.”
“Very well.” Emily nodded, apparently having come to a decision. Before he could thank her or say anything else, she added, “But Your Grace, before I help you, I need you to know one thing.”
“What is it?” Blake asked, his brow furrowing.
“If you ever do anything to hurt my sister again, I will ensure it is the last thing you do,” Emily said flatly, fire in her eyes.
“You love her a great deal,” Blake murmured, half smiling at her threat.
I have no doubt she would do anything for her sister.
“I do.” Emily nodded. “She is my sister, and she has spent far too long believing that she is not enough and somehow also too much. She deserves to be happy. She deserves to have her dreams come true.”
“She does,” Blake agreed.
“Then let us see if we can make that happen.” Emily smiled at him, a warm and genuine smile. “My mother will be most displeased.”
Blake pictured the disapproving woman in his mind’s eye and winced. “Thank you, Miss Emily.”
“Do not thank me yet, you have not even managed to talk to Jane.” Emily pointed out as they walked towards the doorman. “Mr. Michaels, His Grace is here at my invitation.”
“But Miss Emily—” Mr. Michaels began, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand and a stern look.
Emily said, “Mr. Michaels, kindly stand aside. His Grace and I have rather important business to attend to.”
“Very well.” Mr. Michaels stood to the side, and Emily swept past him.
Blake followed hot on her heels, his heart hammering as he stepped into the hall of Pembleton Manor. He looked around as he entered, half expecting to see Jane, but she was not there.
“You know she will be furious with you, don’t you?” Blake murmured as Emily guided him deeper into the house.
“Yes. But she is my sister. And she will be much, much angrier with you.”
The house seemed to wind around forever.
Is she stalling?
“Where is she?” Blake asked as Emily made her way through the hallway with him in tow.
“I expect she will be in the drawing room.” Emily took a deep breath. “My mother will be there for supervision, of course.”
“Of course.” Blake wondered if their mother would be yet another obstacle.
Lady Cotswalts had a rather formidable reputation, and from everything Alexander and Nigel had told him, she was a most adept matchmaker.
What will it be like to set myself against her will?
Emily clearly saw a flicker of trepidation on his face because she smiled. “I will take care of Mother, do not worry. You, however, have the far harder task.”
“What do you mean?” Blake frowned.
“You need to earn my sister’s forgiveness,” Emily said simply. “And you will have some competition.”
