“And that is exactly the problem. My brother must marry a lady, and I do not feel certain you would be able to act the part.”
“Are you calling me unladylike? That is a rather rude thing to say, your Grace. Hardly proper.” Emily needled, watching the Duke’s face for a reaction.
To her satisfaction, she saw his jaw tighten slightly and his already stiff posture become even more rigid. “I simply responded honestly to a question you asked. You must admit, your behaviour is hardly what one would call typical of a lady.”
“Oh is that so? And you have concluded that I am therefore incapable of ever being a proper lady.” Emily resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “And why exactly is following propriety more important than anything else?”
“Because it is what guides us to right action and morality.”
“And are you implying that those around us are somehow immoral due to their lack of propriety?” Emily jerked her head towards the chaos around them.He would not dare say yes, that would put him at odds with his precious values.
The Duke shook his head, his jaw tight even as his tone was nonchalant. “How another family chooses to live their lives is not of concern to me. It is only of concern when someone wishes to tie their name to my own.”
“I am not trying to marry you –” Emily pointed out, the thought making her blood run cold.
The Duke interjected, “- something both of us are thankful for, I am sure.”
“You are utterly infuriating.” Emily scowled at him.
“And you have just proved my point. A true lady would not let her temper get the better of her.” The duke smiled in satisfaction.
Emily opened her mouth to retort angrily, but closed it again. The duke continued to look smug and Emily clenched and then unclenched her jaw. She cast a look at him and then around the table.
“So, you think that we should all just follow propriety, no matter what? No matter how silly or inconvenient the rules are?” Emily asked.
“Of course. No rule is silly. It is there for a reason.” The duke frowned at her.
“Is that what you think?” Emily smiled at him, an idea starting to form in her head. “Well, we shall see about that.”
“What exactly do you mean?” Duke Warren’s brow creased even further and he looked at her searchingly.
Emily gave him her most innocent smile. She stood up and raised her glass. “I would also like to propose a toast.”
Her voice cut through the cacophony of her extended family. Everyone turned to look at her. She looked between Lord Baine and his brother.
“I would like to toast to our delightful guests, Duke Warren and his brother, Lord Baine. Thank you for joining us on this wonderful occasion.” She turned to face the duke, her eyes meeting his as she looked down at him. “You have both graced us with your immeasurable wit and charm. What joy and delight you have brought to these halls. Long may our acquaintance last.”
“Hear! Hear!” The table chorused.
Emily took the smallest sip of her drink, watching as the duke took a drink from his own glass. A servant appeared and hastily refilled it.Clearly he has not had much practice at multiple toasts. Excellent.
As she slid back into her seat, Lord Baine stood up. The smell of amber floated across her, and her sleeve brushed against his.The smell was surprisingly warm and yet it seemed to fit him. She moved further away, shaking her head as her heart sped up.Now he must compliment me.
There was a wonderful irony, Emily thought. Propriety would not allow the man to lie, but nor would it allow him to say anything unkind about her. He would have to find a genuine compliment, and she rather suspected that would irk him greatly.
“Thank you, Miss Pembleton, for your most excellent toast. Your kind words were most unexpected. Your eloquence is only matched by your charm and wit.” The duke held her gaze his eyes flashing as he bowed, signalling the end of his toast.
Everyone cheered and drank. Emily smiled, wondering how hard it had been for the man to think of something suitably nice to say about her in his toast.
As he reached for his food, she stood up once more and he placed his fork back on the table.
“Dear Duke, your words have inspired me to toast you once more. And a toast, just for you. It is only through your gracious disposition and open mindedness that we are all here today, and I must thank you for it. Though perhaps you would allow us all to express our thanks, Natalie, I believe you said you wanted to practice your toasting skills?” Emily smiled at Alexander’s youngest sister.
“Oh, yes I did.”
“I am sure the duke would not mind another toast in his honour.” Emily said encouragingly, knowing full well the duke would be unable to refuse.
“Very well. Um… A toast to Duke Warren. You um… You seem pleasant and you sit up more straightly than I have ever seen in my life.” Natalie blushed and bowed.
