“Come along, girls, gather your things. You mustn’t keep the duke waiting,” Lavinia said, shooing everyone into the foyer.
Akers was waiting to pass over bonnets and gloves, and in no time, everyone was out the door. The footman handed Emma, and Julia into the ducal carriage and then assisted Julia’s governess who’d been tasked to go along as chaperone for the excursion. They sat in the rear-facing seat while Richmond handed Violet up before climbing in to sit beside her.
“Your carriage is so beautiful,” Julia said, settling back against the squabs. “I’ve never been in such an elegant carriage.”
Richmond chuckled. “My father liked to travel in luxury wherever he went.”
It was a short drive before the carriage stopped in front of the museum. The footman put down the stairs and helped the young ladies down from the carriage.
Richmond jumped down and held out his hand to Violet. “Miss Bainbridge, are you excited?”
“Indeed I am, Your Grace. I’ve always wanted to visit the museum,” she said, taking his hand.
Once inside, Richmond turned to Violet. “Is there any exhibit you wish to see more than the others?”
Violet glanced at Emma. “May we start in the Egyptian exhibit?”
“Fine choice. It’s this way.”
Richmond had been to the museum a number of times, but he took great delight in watching Julia’s excitement as she looked at the different pieces in the exhibit. He glanced over his shoulder to see Emma standing in front of a Schist head of Hatshepsut and walked over to join her. “Miss Emma, does she intrigue you?”
There was a pause before Emma answered, “She does, Your Grace.”
“What intrigues you the most?”
“She was a woman and yet so very accomplished. She had all the powers the previous male pharaohs held and wasn’t discounted because of her sex. And yet—”
Richmond found himself mesmerized by the outspoken beauty, who continued to surprise him. “Please continue. I’d like to hear your opinion.”
Emma turned to face him, her eyes blazing. “I doubt that, Your Grace.”
Richmond reached out and squeezed her hand. He quickly realized what he’d done and released her hand. “Go on, please.”
Emma took a deep breath before continuing. “We live in such enlightened times, and yet women are treated as empty-headed little fools who couldn’t possibly have opinions of their own. And if they do, their opinions are mostly discounted.”
“I would never treat you that way,” he said.
“Then you are a rare man indeed. Once a woman marries, she is at the mercy of her husband. Whatever dreams and desires she has are for naught if her husband refuses to honor them.”
“I don’t believe—”
“Your Grace, you must see this,” Julia called out.
Richmond wanted to stay and talk with Emma, but he couldn’t ignore her sisters. He spent the rest of the visit walking beside Violet as they went from one exhibit to the next. While he thought her a lovely young woman, it was her sister he found most intriguing. She spoke her mind with no reservations. What other thoughts filled her beautiful head? She definitely had strong opinions, and he’d love nothing more to hear them all.
After two hours, Richmond escorted the ladies back to the Edgerton townhouse.
“Will you stay for tea?” Lavinia asked while the girls divested themselves of bonnets and gloves.
“Thank you for your kind invitation, Lady Edgerton, but I must decline. I have another appointment,” Richmond said.
“Perhaps we’ll see you at the Wollard ball Friday next?” she asked.
“You will indeed. Until then, it’s been a most pleasurable afternoon, Miss Bainbridge, Miss Emma, Miss Julia. Good day.” He gave them each a brief nod before returning to his carriage. As he settled in the carriage, he knew without a doubt that he’d met his future duchess today and it wasn’t Miss Violet Bainbridge. He would be patient and wait for Emma to have her come out next year. His biggest hurdle would be convincing her that he would never deny her any of her heart’s desires.
WHILE THEY WAITED FORthe teacart to arrive, Violet went to Emma, who was once again sitting in the chair by the window. “Did you enjoy the visit today?”
“It was not intolerable.”
