“Perhaps you might speak to your sister, Miss—no, Duchess Caden—about it? She has always enjoyed philosophy.”
Emily briefly entertained the idea but then shook her head. “No, I would not want to bother her.”
“I am sure it would not be a bother. Your sisters both think very highly of you.” Lucy said.
But would they still think so if they knew the truth? If I asked Jane, she would wonder why I could not understand it myself.Emily shook her head. “No, I do not think that is a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“You know how I hate for them to think of me as the baby. If I asked them, well… That would only reinforce the idea that I am someone they must look after. I do not want that.” Emily grimaced. “Besides, Jane may well get so carried away that I end up even more confused.”
Emily sighed. “I do not think we will get much further with this. I am sure I have understood enough to hold at least a slight conversation.” At least, I hope so.
“Then you do not wish me to keep reading this to you?” Emily could hear the hope in her maid’s voice and surpressed her own smile.
“Yes, I think that would probably be for the best.” Emily agreed.
“Shall I return to our novel?” Lucy asked.
Emily opened her mouth to say yes, but found her eyes drawn to the book on chess that Duke Warren had given her.
“Actually, perhaps you could read me that?” Emily indicated the book.
“As you wish.” Lucy picked it up and began to read.
As she read, Emily pictured the chess board in her mind, moving pieces as the book described. She felt a surge of pride as everything seemed to click into place, and for some reason, she imagined how impressed the Duke would look when she finally beat him.
The thought made her smile.Then he will see just how wrong he was about me.That was clearly what was filling her chest with warmth. Proving to someone else that she was worthier than he’d thought. After all, she did love being right.
Chapter Ten
“Iam rather surprised at you, brother-mine.” Luke said to Rodger as he checked their equipment for the hunt.
“Surprised? Why?” Rodger frowned.
“You and Miss Pembleton have been spending rather a lot of time together, and yet not once have you attempted to convince me of her merits.” Luke gave his brother a sidelong look, an eyebrow half raised in question as he checked the tack on his horse again.
It had been a few days since he and Miss Pembleton had played chess together. In that time, they seemed to have come to some kind of unspoken agreement, and she and Rodger had spent a little more time with one another.
Rodger coloured slightly. “We have not spent an improper amount of time together, especially not if we are to be wed.”
Luke noticed a tightness in Rodger’s voice and frowned. “I was not implying anything untoward had happened, brother. Merely remarking how little you have harangued me about the woman’s better qualities.”
“Are you saying you see her merits?” Rodger smiled, his eyes widening in surprise.
“No.” Luke shook his head and glanced towards the rest of the men, who were gathered a little way from them.
“Really? You two seem to be on better terms than when we first arrived.” Rodger also glanced at the group of hunters, but did not make any moves towards them.
“That is true, though hardly a high bar.” Luke shrugged, but made no efforts to move towards the hunters – he knew Rodger hated groups and was content to wait until the horn was sounded to join the others. “I will admit there is more to her than meets the eye.”
“High praise indeed brother.” Rodger laughed softly as he mounted his horse.
Luke narrowed his eyes and followed suit. “It is simply a statement of fact. Miss Pembleton has a sharper wit and more strategic mind than first impressions would indicate.”
“Has she won you over to her cause then?” Rodger asked.
“It is not my heart she needs to win, but yours. And though my impression of her has improved, I am still not convinced she would make a particularly suitable wife for you.” Luke stroked his face thoughtfully. “While her character is not entirely condemnable, her lack of propriety does concern me greatly. So does her temperament. ”
