Emma caught Lord Graham’s arm. “I do not wish to embarrass him. I have caused Lord Orson enough notoriety.Perhaps I should choose a different means of communicating that my father has come to England.”
“And that you are now prepared to marry Richard,” Lord Graham said with a frown. “Emma, you know I adore you, but, not to be rude, people are watching you to learn when you become with child. It has been six weeks since Richard rescued you and the world learned of the attacks of both the Palmers and Lord Davidson. Propose to Richard. Claim his acceptance. Then wait another five to six weeks to marry, depending on when your father must return to the Continent. When your first child is born, if it is at least nine to ten months after your marriage, the scandal will die away until another scandal takes its place, hopefully, not at your hands. Let us start by ensuring thehaut tonknows when the ever-fabulous Lady Emma Donoghue proposed to Lord Richard Orson.”
He leaned down to whisper, “Thetonwill expect your bravado—actually, they will claim that your mother broke the mold, and you repaired it. I can guarantee Beau Brummell will adore your feminine swagger, and if the Beau adores you, so will the rest of society. I am to call upon him later today, and he will come to your aide, but, first, you must propose to Richard. One of Duncan’s sons should know happiness, so the rest of us can keep our hopes alive.”
Theodora presented his lordship with a shooing motion. “No more lectures, Aaran. Just fetch Richard.”
Lord Graham saluted and walked casually away.
Theodora turned Emma to face her. “Though I have known Aaran longer, Richard was my first brother. Orson is the responsible one of the five. I guarantee you will never have one regret, and you will possess a lifetime of devotion and love. Is such not what you desire?”
Richard noted AaranGraham’s return to White’s, and as Aaran rarely frequented any clubs, having him do so twice spoke to something being odd. He half listened to Birkdale as he watched his brother’s steady approach. Graham’s cane tapped out an evenly paced tattoo. “Good afternoon, Graham, what brings you to White’s twice in one day?”
Graham used his cane to point to the window. “Our Theodora and Lady Emma had a visitor this morning. Lord Donoghue has arrived in London.”
Richard stood, totally ignoring Birkdale and the others. “Is Emma well?” he asked as he noted her nervous fidgeting as she looked to the club’s window.
“Lady Emma has come to accept your proposal, Orson,” Aaran declared, but Richard heard only “accept your proposal,” for he was on the move to reach her. Behind him, Graham ordered, “A round of drinks for all on Orson’s tab. Hurry now, my good men, or you will miss the spectacle!”
Richard crossed the open space outside the club with only one purpose: To reach Lady Emma Donoghue. “Emma?”
“Richard,” she saidwith a small smile, but the sudden appearance of the other gentlemen pouring out of White’s made her nervous again. She had not expected an audience.
Lord Orson glanced over his shoulder at what she saw, and he, too, frowned.
“Be brave, Emma,” Theodora encouraged. “Remember, you have called each of those men out for their lack of recognizing a woman’s worth. Permit my brother to set the standard.”
Emma swallowed hard. “You proposed previously . . . and . . . and I . . . I gave you . . . the impression . . . I thought . . . I thought to refuse.”
He opened his mouth to respond, but Theodora ordered, “Silence, Richard!”
“I... I came today... which is likely one of the most... well, I suppose I have executed many questionable...” Emma shrugged off her discomfort and set her shoulders to the task. “Yet, this is not one of them, my lord. I adore you, Richard Orson. I wish to spend the...”
The remainder of her words were swallowed by Richard’s mouth covering hers. A round of applause filled the air, but neither Emma nor Richard heard it. They were lost to each other, just as it should be.
