Free A Proper Companion by Candice Hern Page A

of
appreciation.
    "Do you know, Tuttle, I think I should like to wear
my mother's pearls." Emily went to her bureau and pulled out a
small jewelry case. Inside were the only treasures she owned: those
jewels of her mother's which she had managed to save, the rest
having been sold by her father to pay off gambling debts. There was
a fine emerald pendant with matching earrings, a small diamond and
ruby brooch set in gold filigree, and a single strand of perfect
pearls with matching drop earrings. Emily removed the pearls and
held them up to her throat. As Tuttle fastened them, Emily was
suddenly reminded of her mother, whom she closely resembled. She
could recall her beautiful mother wearing the pearls on several
occasions. Emily had never until now had the occasion to wear any
of her mother's jewels. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror,
wishing her mother could see her now.
    At that moment there was a brief knock on her door.
Tuttle opened the door to admit the dowager, who stopped in her
tracks. "Good God!" she cried. She circled Emily, eyeing her up and
down through her jeweled quizzing glass. She stopped in front of
Emily, taking both her hands. "My dear girl, where have you been
hiding? You look absolutely divine! Tuttle, my congratulations."
She fingered the pearls at Emily's throat and raised a questioning
brow.
    "My mother's," Emily said.
    "Perfect!" The dowager took Emily's arm, smiling
triumphantly, and together they descended to the drawing room, with
Charlemagne, as always, close behind.
     
    * * *
     
    Robert had preceded them and was pouring a glass of
sherry. He looked up as the two women entered the room, and his
breath caught in his throat. From the first moment he'd met her, he
had thought Miss Townsend a very attractive woman. But just now she
looked utterly beautiful. The glow of the candles in the nearby
sconces set lights dancing in her green eyes and shot sparkling
golden highlights through her hair. The new hairstyle gave her
high-cheekboned face a softer look. He had never really noticed how
tall she was, but just now she looked as regal as a duchess. Good
God, she was glorious! His hand involuntarily reached out toward
her.
    Emily smiled at the earl, and he smiled back with
such warmth that she felt herself blush. He locked eyes with her as
he began to cross the room, hand outstretched, oblivious to
Charlemagne's determined dash toward his favorite chair.
    Dog and man collided with a force that sent Lord
Bradleigh tumbling on his backside. Charlemagne growled accusingly
at him, then made his way to the cherished fauteuil. The earl,
thoroughly stunned, looked up at the grinning ladies in
confusion.
    "You see, Emily," the dowager drawled, "I told you
that gentlemen would be falling at your feet. Behold: your first
victim!"
    The earl dropped his head into his hands and shook
with laughter. The ladies could no longer contain their own
amusement and laughed along with him. Finally each reached out a
hand and helped tug him to his feet. After brushing himself off and
running a careless hand through his hair, he reached down and took
Emily's hand and bent over it.
    "Please forgive my clumsiness, but I am afraid you
quite literally took my breath away, Miss Townsend," he said in a
soft, seductive tone. "You look lovely."
    Even after such an ignominious fall, the charm that
had helped establish his rakish reputation was much in
evidence.
    "Thank you, my lord," Emily answered as she felt the
telltale heat of a blush color her cheeks.
    "I can see that your shopping trip was a great
success." He spoke without taking his eyes from Emily.
    She felt compelled at first to drop her eyes, not
sure she could bear the heat she felt from his gaze, but rejected
this instinct, and vowed to hold her ground. She was not, after
all, a green girl fresh from the schoolroom. She locked her eyes
boldly to his and held them, arching a teasing brow.
    "Indeed," the dowager said. "I am glad you approve,
Robert. We will soon see