AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Walking over to the window, Emmeline glanced out the darkened window. “I am to choose between an old duke or a rakehell.” She placed her hands on the windowsill and sighed. “How did I end up here?”
“You could always become a companion or governess.”
Emmeline’s shoulders slumped. “Why did I have the misfortune of being born a woman?”
“If you want me to pity you, I do not,” Mary declared, rising from the bed. “You have the choice of becoming the Duchess of Billingham or Lady Oliver.”
“I do apologize,” Emmeline said. “I’m afraid I am at a crossroads and I am unsure which way to take.”
“Which one does your heart tell you to take?”
Emmeline huffed as she straightened from the windowsill. “My heart has nothing to do with this choice.”
“It should.”
A knock came at the door before it was opened. Her aunt stepped into the room and gave her a terse smile.
“I need a moment alone with my niece,” Betty said in a steely tone.
Mary dropped into a curtsy. “Yes, milady.”
After her lady’s maid left, closing the door behind her, Betty stepped further into the room, and a frown marred her annoyed features, her lips thinning out into a line. “I understand that you not only danced with Lord Oliver, but you took a stroll around the gardens with him.”
“I see that Mrs. Jackson tattled on me… again,” Emmeline remarked.
“She may be your companion, but she is under our employ.”
Emmeline rested her head on the windowsill. “How silly of me to forget that small detail.”
Clasping her hands in front of her, Betty remarked, “Need I remind you that you will be a duchess soon, and your reputation needs to be above reproach?”
“I am more than aware of what is expected of me.”
“Then why would you even associate with the likes of Lord Oliver?”
“He is my friend.”
“Even after everything he did to our family,” Betty declared.
Emmeline attempted to keep her face expressionless as she replied, “Charlotte was the one who broke the engagement, not Lord Oliver.”
“We were most fortunate that Lord Albert was willing to overlook a broken engagement,” Betty said.
“Yes, Charlotte was lucky,” Emmeline remarked dryly.
Betty’s expression softened. “I know you miss her, my dear,” she responded, “as do I, but life does move forward whether we want it to or not.”
“I do miss Charlotte,” she admitted.
Betty stepped closer. “You have endured many hardships these past two years,” she said, “but you mustn’t give up hope.”
“I’m struggling, Aunt Betty.”
Betty reached out and tucked a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. “All the more reason for you to marry the duke and secure your future.”
“But I don’t want to marry him.”
“Not this again,” Betty said with a sigh. “I thought we had properly put this to rest.”
