Emily breathed a sigh of relief as Lord Baine began to speak of his love of Sir Walter Scott and the merits of his work.
She found it easy enough to interject with the odd question here and there, and to divert the more in-depth conversation to his opinions.
Mother always says that men most love their own opinion.Though in the past she had found it a rather un-romantic view of relationships, she could now see its use.
“I shall lend you some of John Locke’s work. I am sure you will enjoy it, particularly his treatise on mad men, that is in Chapter Eleven. It can be a little convoluted in places, but I have no doubt you’ll take it in your stride.” Lord Baine gave her an encouraging look.
“Your faith in my ability is most generous.” Emily smiled at Lord Baine.It is very much misplaced.
“Not at all.” Lord Baine beamed at her. “I hope you will forgive me, but I am rather tired. I shall see you at dinner, Miss Pembleton.”
“See you at dinner, Lord Baine.” Emily inclined her head towards him.
Lord Baine turned from her and joined his brother and Alexander’s sister Mary, who stood further away. Emily could feel her heart sink.
“Well, that looked like it went rather well.” Rose said, slipping an arm through hers.
“Indeed, you and Lord Baine seemed to be having a rather animated discussion.” Jane agreed, appearing on Emily’s other side.
“When we finally got some time after that brother of his took up most of it. Honestly, the Duke barely gave us a chance to speak at all.” Emily scowled at the memory. “The man is so frustrating. I cannot believe Lord Baine is related to him.”
“I believe they are half-brothers; Lord Baine’s mother was the late Duke’s second wife.” Jane frowned.
“Still, the duke is utterly insufferable. He is arrogant and seems obsessed with propriety.” Emily wrinkled her nose in distaste.
“Well, it is a good thing you are not marrying him, but will be marrying his brother.” Rose reminded her.
“I doubt that he will let us.” Emily shook her head.
“He would not stand in the way of his brother’s happiness.” Jane said reasonably.
Emily scoffed. “Wouldn’t he?”
“What would he gain? Lord Baine is the second son, he will not inherit a title. There is more freedom in that.” Rose pointed out.
“But he clearly thinks rather highly of his brother’s opinion, and I do not think the duke has a particularly good opinion of me.” Emily felt her heart sink.
“I am sure you are simply being pessimistic.” Jane said, patting Emily’s arm reassuringly.
“You’ll see, no one can deny the spark between you and Lord Baine.” Rose said, enthusiastically.
Emily was not certain that she felt a spark between them, but perhaps she was too distracted by his irritating brother. She could not help but feel that her sisters’ optimism was misplaced.
She shook her head. She would not admit defeat. Her sisters were right, this was her last chance and she wasn’t about to let some arrogant Duke ruin it for her.
Chapter Four
“Ishould never have agreed to this ridiculous plan.” Luke muttered to himself as he paced around the library.
He had intended on going for a walk to clear his head, but the rain had forced him back indoors. He scowled at the droplets colliding with the windows as if that would drive them away.
“If it were not for propriety, I would leave this instant and force my fool of a brother to return with me.” Luke sighed as he idly traced his hands along the book titles. “But we agreed to be here for the week, and leaving any sooner would be a snub.”
He made a disgusted noise. “All I wanted was to do the right thing for the estate, and to keep my brother out of trouble. Is that too much to ask?”
“It is my experience that attempting to keep one’s siblings out of trouble is a somewhat fruitless endeavour.” A voice said from behind him.
Luke whirled around, and found himself face-to-face with Duke Emberly, Alexander Rokesby. The man raised an eye brow at him, holding up it his hands in a placating gesture.
