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Joyce wanted to laugh helplessly at her niece’s observation. Many of the young gentlemen of her age were indeed far more interested in fashion and appearances to the point that they seemed like preening peacocks. They were, however, a great deal better than the man that Joyce had married. The late Duke of Gilleton might have been handsome and accomplished, but he was a truly heartless man, and it was her greatest regret to have wasted her youth on him.
But her disappointing marriage had not been truly in vain, for even though it had brought her much heartache, itdidgive her Daniel—a man who was so much more capable of love than his father ever was.
And even now, the father’s shadow hung over his own son, she thought to herself. Daniel might not say much, but as his mother, how could she not guess at what was in his heart?
Sadly, it would seem that Daniel had to have a taste of what it felt like to lose something that he held so dear just so he could have the courage to reach for it. Joyce only hoped that he would someday be strong enough to step out of his father’s shadow and live a life for himself, free of the bonds of the past.
CHAPTER21
“My dear Emily, you look absolutely radiant tonight.”
Emily felt her skin crawl at the sound of the Viscount’s voice from behind her. Ever since she had stepped into the Cavendish ballroom, she had wanted nothing more than to pick up her skirts and leave before she could come across her betrothed.
Now that their betrothal was formally set, she could do little but pretend at being agreeable. The whole Ton was abuzz with the news that the wallflower oftwoseasons had finally managed to wring an offer out of one of the best catches in London.
If only they know just how utterly dreadful Lord Caney is, she lamented internally.
“Lord Caney.” Lady Horatia’s smile was uncharacteristically dazzling as she regarded the Viscount before them. “It is a great pleasure to see you here, My Lord.”
“Likewise, Lady Rutbridge. I always look forward to seeing more of Lady Emily’s family.”
His silky drawl might have been an attempt at being charming, but it had quite the opposite effect on its target. Emily almost wished she could go back to those dreadful gowns that Lady Horatia had provided for her. They at least shielded her from his lascivious gazes and inappropriate remarks.
A young lady was expected to engage in some lighthearted flirtation with her betrothed or at least make a play atlikinghim, but Emily found such tasks to be incredibly difficult. Lord Caney was, put simply, a rather odious creature, and she could not believe how much she wanted to attract his attention before.
If I had the sense God accorded to the common peagoose, I should have known that he was a monster, she thought to herself ruefully.In hindsight, I really should not have tried so hard to get his attention.
Now, there was nothing she could do to shake him off of her. He was like a hound after her scent, and the thought made her blood run cold.
“May I have the next dance, My Lady?” the Viscount smiled charmingly at her.
Emily stared at the hand he had offered before her gaze swept over to Lady Horatia who glared at her in warning as if to say, “If you make a single mistake and jeopardize Amy’s chances of finding a better husband, I will make sure you will regret it!”
Ever since her conversation with the Marquess in his study, Emily noted that her stepmother had become even more difficult. She had learned from Jenny that her father had actually reduced Lady Horatia and Amy’s allowances significantly, and she had no doubt that they both blamed Emily for it, even after they squandered the money meant for Emily’s two seasons.
Some people…Emily mentally sighed, accepting the hand that the Viscount offered to her.
Lord Caney’s smile grew wider as he led her to the dance floor where the other couples were preparing to dance. They bowed to each other—Emily a bit more stiffly—as the musicians struck up a tune for a quadrille.
Well, there was very little she could do about her stepmother and sister as they seemed to have set themselves against her from the very start. If they ever caught wind of what her father planned for her dowry, no doubt they would throw a fit about it.
Emily doubted her father could resist Amy and her tantrums, but she knew that Benedict would love nothing more than to go against both Lady Horatia and Amy.
“The least you can do ispretendto look happy about our engagement.”
Emily blinked and looked up at the Viscount, who was beaming down at her as if she was the very thing that made the world turn on its axis. If she had not heard him speak in such a threatening tone, she could have fooled herself into thinking that he was not such a vile creature at all.
“Smile, dammit!”
In response, Emily shot him a dazzling smile while her eyes flared with contempt for the man she was formally engaged to wed. “Is that better, My Lord?”
“Not quite what I was hoping for. You can do better than that, my dear.”
But I do not want to, she rebelled in her heart.
“Otherwise,” the Viscount continued smoothly, “who knows just who I might tell about your little rendezvous with the Duke at the last ball?”
“What rendezvous?” Emily shot back. “He was merely rescuing me from the likes of you!”
