“Well then,” he murmured. “Goodnight, Emery.”
“Goodnight, Lucien.” And even though they had decided to be friends, Emery found, as she turned over onto her side and sleep settled itself over her, that friendship actually didn’t feel quite right. Yes, they were close, but she didn’t think of him the way she thought of Henry. He wasn’t just her friend, he was something else to her. But she couldn’t think what. The word eluded her, and she was too tired to try and think of it.
And before she could think of anything else, sleep had taken her.
She woke the next morning to find herself wrapped in her husband’s arms, his strong body flush with hers and the gentle sound of his deep breathing filling her ears. For a long time, she lay perfectly still, unsure of what had happened. She had no memory of him snuggling close to her, and considering he seemed fast asleep, she was left to conclude that it had been an unconscious act in the night.
At last, she moved a little bit, trying to wriggle away from him. She didn’t want to wake him and risk the awkwardness of having to acknowledge that he had wrapped his arms around her, but she also desperately wanted to get out of them. Not because the feeling of being held by him was unpleasant, but because it was confusing.
We are supposed to be friends! Friends do not sleep this way together!
The door to the room opened, and Emery froze.
“Your Grace, it is time to--” a man’s voice came from the doorway, but then it cut off, as if he were just noticing that the Duke of Dredford was cuddling with his wife. “Excuse me, sir,” the man said, his voice suddenly tinged with embarrassment. “I did not realize--I will return later.”
There was the sound of footsteps shuffling, then the door closed again. Emery turned all the way over to face the Duke. His eyes were open, and he looked a bit like someone who had been caught in a lurid situation.
They stared at each other a moment, and then, to Emery’s surprise and delight, they both burst into laughter.
“Well,” Lucien said, smiling at her sagely, “that ought to make sure the entiretonthinks we are deeply in love!”
And even as Emery laughed, both in embarrassment and the pleasure of being in on a deception with her husband, she wondered if the footman who had seen them cuddled up might be reporting something of the truth.
Chapter Twenty
“It’s your first ball,” Emery said, as she placed the final flower into the braid at the top of Leah’s head. “How do you feel?”
“Nervous,” Leah admitted, smiling shyly at her sister-in-law. “I can’t believe after all these years of practicing and preparing for this moment that it’s finally here.”
“You’re ready,” Emery said, giving her a big, reassuring smile. “And the Andersons’ Ball is supposed to be one of the finest of the entire Season! It’s the opening ball of the Season, did you know? And it can be difficult to secure an invitation.”
“So we should be pleased,” Leah said, smiling more broadly. “My reputation hasn’t taken a hit because of all the scandal associated with our family name.”
“It looks as if our good name is being restored,” Emery agreed. “The rumors that Henry has reported upon in the last few days have been promising.”
It was true. They had arrived in London just five days earlier, and ever since, Emery and Lucien had been sharing a bed and taking every opportunity they could to be seen together out in public. Whether that was shopping at the milliner's, promenading on the Serpentine, or even attending the operas, Emery and Lucien had been inseparable. Leah had been with them, of course, so that they could show her off to thetoneven before she made her official debut. But tonight would be the night she officially was introduced to Society, which meant tonight had to be perfect.
“There is no better place for you to make your debut than the Andersons’ Ball,” Emery said. “Your brother told me this invitation signals that thetonis ready to forgive us:ifwe can do well this evening.”
“Which means I must be on my best behavior,” Leah said, nodding her head slightly. She was still staring into the mirror above her vanity, and she raised a hand and curled a finger around one of the locks that fell in an elegant curl down from her braid. She fiddled with the curl for a moment, looking nervous, until Emery took her hand and squeezed it.
“I have no doubt that you will be a paragon of perfection,” Emery said. She meant it, too. Leah was ready. She’d been rigorously training for this day for years, and now it was time. “No more nerves, my love. You have every reason to be confident.”
Leah turned away from the mirror and took Emery’s other hand, as well.
“And you, too, dear Emery,” she said. “You have every reason to be confident as well. I know it’s your first ball in London as well.”
“Yes.” Emery’s stomach squirmed slightly, and it was a struggle to keep the smile on her face. “Although I am not as ready as you are. I still am unsure of my footing in the cotillion!”
“You will be marvelous,” Leah reassured her. “And if you are unsure of anything, you will have Lucien, and me, by your side.”
“I’m supposed to be saying that to you,” Emery laughed. “Not the other way around.”
“We have each other’s backs,” Leah murmured. “We’re family.”
There was a knock on the door, and both ladies turned to see Lucien enter, holding a small box in his hands. When he took in Leah, he smiled broadly, and a misty look came to his eyes.
“Sister,” he said, bowing his head. “You look radiant tonight. Exactly as I knew you would.”
