She could see why Jacob and Emma got along so well. They were equally entertaining.
“I suppose you could say I did.” Because she had.
“Why?”
“I think you know why,” she said before she could stop herself.
Emma eyed her with curiosity. “Was it all for him, then?”
She nearly repliedyesbecause a great deal of it had been for Jacob, but then she remembered how she first felt when she looked in the mirror, and then the sensation that another few bars in her cage had fallen away.
“No, it was not all for him.” She offered Emma a small smile. “It was for me as well. Quite a bit for me, actually.”
“Good.” Emma smiled as well. Emma met her smile. “Because that is truly the best place to start, Lady Barrington.”
“Call me Prudence.” She surprised herself by saying it but was glad she did. Another bar was removed, she supposed. It was a leap she was not ready to take with Jacob, but Emma was a good start.
Emma’s smile grew. “Prudence, it is.” She sipped her champagne and admired Prudence’s dress. “I must say, for a first leap back into the beast of proper society, you did so stunningly.”
“I think we both know I can thank my sister for that.”
“We can thank her for providing it.” Emma gave her a look. “But only you can be thanked for actually wearing it.” She stopped and gestured at a nearby painting. “And again, dress or no, for putting a smile like that on our duke’s face once more.”
Her breath caught when she looked at the portrait of Jacob and a beautiful woman. He wore a blue and green checkered tartan, and she a matching dress. While certainly a striking pair, it was their happiness that really captured the viewer.
His happiness, most of all.
“My cousin, Lady Elizabeth, was a truly lovely person.” Emma’s voice caught with emotion. “I suppose you could say her gift was helping others find the sort of happiness she naturally possessed. She certainly did so with Jacob. Much-needed happiness, to be sure.”
While tempted to ask why it was much needed, she would rather have him tell her in good time if he so chose.
“It is a stunning portrait.” Without understanding quite why she was so touched by the painting, she blinked back tears. “They clearly shared a great love.”
“They did.” Emma’s gaze drifted to Prudence and held for a moment. “And that does not bother you, does it?”
“Not in the least.” She remained as blunt as Emma. “Did you intend such when you walked me this way so that I might see it?”
Because she clearly had.
“No, but I confess I was interested in how you might react to it.” Her gaze softened. “I must admit, I did not expect tears.”
“Any more than I.” She blinked them away the best she could. “My apologies.”
“Whatever for?” Emma glanced from the portrait to Prudence. “Though I will admit to being curious as to what part of the picture touches you most.”
“Every part.” Her gaze drifted to the portrait again. “The happiness and love they found together. The light in her eyes and warmth in his smile. The family they would share together.” She swallowed back a lump in her throat. “A future that was everything she thought it would be. A man who remained true to who he seemed to be at the beginning. Whose eyes never strayed. Whose love never wavered…”
Silence fell as she trailed off.
“Well, you do have it all quite right.” Emma blinked back tears of her own. “Very astute of you.” Warm appreciation lit her gaze as they continued strolling. “Might you find the same, for I suspect you deserve it.”
“Do I?” she wondered softly, more saddened than ever that she had slandered a man who had so clearly adored his wife.
“I would say you very much do,” Emma said. “And it is clear Jacob feels the same, or he would not have befriended you.”
She was not sure what to make of that. Did Emma mean he befriended her to help her find love again? For that was a rather strange thing to do for anyone. Or did she imply he had befriended her because he was attracted to her? That perhaps he drew some similarities between her and his late wife and hoped to court her despite what she had done to him years ago?
While tempted to be honest and ask, she could not seem to do it for no other reason than she feared the answer.
