“I cannot afford such indulgences.” Luke retorted, his jaw clenched.
“I know plenty of dukes who travel.” She resisted the urge to jab him in his stubborn chest. “What is the point of life if you cannot indulge in a little joy every now and then.”
“How do you know I do not?” Luke turned to face her.
She met his icy blue eyes with her own. “Do you?”
“I…” Luke trailed off.
She murmured, “When was the last time you did something simply because it would make you feel good?”
“I… I cannot remember.” Luke admitted. “I rarely have time for such things.”
“Because you are trying to make everything else perfect?” Emily asked.
“It hardly seems fair to let Rodger’s children inherit a duchy in distress.” Luke rubbed the nape of his neck.
“Why are you so certain that it would be? From what I understand, Warren is among one of the most prosperous estates in England.” Emily flushed, she had not wanted to admit that she had been trying to learn more about the estate, practicing her reading by learning about his history.
Not his history. The history of the estate. It is just as much his brother’s.The thought of Lord Baine felt oddly suffocating. She pushed it from her mind.
“It was not always the case. I made many mistakes, especially when I was younger.” Luke muttered.
Emily softened her voice, sensing the pain behind his words.He thinks he must be perfect.“And no doubt you have learned from them.”
“I have.”
“Then why not permit yourself to live a little?”
“Because idleness begets laziness. And that leads to ruin.”
“To seek out joy is not the same as being idle. And I often find that my moments of idleness are when I have my best ideas.” Emily smiled.
“Such as?” Luke raised an eyebrow at her.
She gave him a wicked look. “Tricking Jane into numerous encounters with the man who is now her husband.”
“So, you really played matchmaker for your sister?” he asked, a mix of curiosity and amusement in his voice.
“Yes. Mother was furious. She did not think he was at all suitable for Jane.” Emily remembered the arguments they had had.Well, I was right.“The man she wanted her to end up with was so tedious. Utterly banal.”
“And is excitement what makes a successful marriage?” Luke asked.
“No. I did not think that Jane and Duke Rochester were suited because he was exciting. Excitement does not last forever.” Emily said. “It was the way she came alive when she was with him. I could tell that he saw the truth of her, and when she was with him, she saw it too.”
“Yet he was a rake. Or at least that was his reputation.” Luke pointed out.
“Hence my mother’s dislike of him.” Emily gave him a frank look. “But a reputation can be cultivated. And I could see that it was far from the truth.”
“You are a rather good judge of character then.”
“I thought so.” The Marquess of Snowden’s face appeared in her mind, and she felt a weight settle across her chest.
“One mistake, does not mean you are not.” Luke’s fingers clasped around her own.
The warmth of his touch spread through her, and she glanced up. Their eyes met. She breathed in the smell of him. The air around them seemed to thicken.
She shifted, and the book tumbled from her lap to the floor. The sound seemed to shatter the connection between them and Emily stood up.
