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“Yes, he did. I wanted to know if you were speaking of someone else.”
“Ainsley approached me inquiring if you had any desire to sell. He said it would be him, Stanton, and Blakely.”
“Blakely? I thought he was getting married.” Simon couldn’t help but wonder why these three had such an interest in his gaming hell. While Ainsley might need the funds, Simon had heard of no such talk regarding Blakely.
“The poor man. Evidently, Louisa wasn’t the only lady to reject him. Only this lady waited until they were standing up in front of the vicar. The unfortunate affair has the gossips wondering what is wrong with him.”
Poor man, indeed. Perhaps he needed a respite from Society’s fickle ladies. “I want them to include Riley.”
“Does he have the blunt for a quarter of Hell?” Harry asked before taking another sip of his brandy.
“He could afford to buy the entire thing but would prefer not to take on all the responsibility.”
Harry whistled. “Perhaps I should come work for you.”
Simon laughed. “Perhaps you should.”
“What will you do after you sell?”
“I will take over the management of the estate in Kent.” Simon knew it wouldn’t be enough to keep him busy. “I might even think about MP at some point.”
“Oh, that is an excellent idea. Think of the debates we can have over the issues.” Harry leaned back and gave Simon a look of approval. “Now, you really must get Emma to marry you. With her at your side, no will care what you say as long as they can get a glimpse of her.”
Simon placed his brandy snifter on the desk and rose. “Thank you for the information, but I should leave now. I don’t want to ruin Emma’s birthday.” He pulled a small package out of his coat. “Would you give her this, preferably when you can catch her alone?”
“Of course.” Harry rose and then give him a look of understanding. “You could stay. It might be a nice night to tell her how you feel.”
“Not here. Not now.” Not ever. She deserved better than a bastard like him.
IT HAD TAKEN EMMA THREE days to open the package Harry gave her and five seconds to know she couldn’t keep it. Her brother-in-law didn’t need to tell her it was from Simon. Slowly, she opened the small box again, revealing a set of dangling diamond earbobs. They were beautiful. As the sunlight had refracted a rainbow of colors in her room yesterday, she wanted to try them on.
But she didn’t.
If she put those earrings on, she would want to keep them even more than she already did, and that was an impossibility. Why would he have sent something to her? He couldn’t afford such luxuries. And he didn’t want to marry her.
Guilt.
He must feel some amount of guilt for making love to her. Which seemed mad since everything that happened between them could only be blamed on her. Her list. Her foolishness.
It had taken her a day to figure out a plan to escape the house. Her mother was watching her like a hawk stalking a mouse. But tonight, with Almack’s open, Emma knew her mother would not go out unless someone asked whom she couldn’t refuse.
Thankfully, when Louisa heard where Emma needed to go, she invented a reason for Mamma to visit in the evening without Emma. She would owe her sister for ages after this.
The hackney hit a rut causing the earrings to almost bounce out of her hand. She quickly placed them back into her reticule. Glancing out the window, she noticed that twilight had created rosy shadows on the buildings of St. James. As the carriage slowed to a stop in front of the old church, her heart pounded erratically.
She paid the man and then walked up the steps to Hell. The old wooden church doors opened, and Mr. Riley yanked her inside.
“What the devil are you doing here tonight?” he demanded.
Emma wondered why he emphasized tonight unless Simon had plans. Was he meeting a woman here? She closed her eyes against the pain that brought to her heart. “I need to speak to him for a moment. You can tell him it won’t take long.”
Riley shook his head. “He is going to be furious you are here, Miss. Drake. Perhaps you should return tomorrow.”
“I cannot,” she hissed. “It was most difficult to arrange leaving my home tonight. Tomorrow will be impossible.”
“Very well.” Riley sighed. “Why don’t you play roulette while I see if he is presentable?”
Emma nodded. “As you wish.”
