Free The Accidental Duchess by Madeline Hunter Page B

critically. “Nor can you claim that was your only reason for gaming. I have seen how much you enjoy it. The first step may have been taken for this purpose, but you were only too happy to skip along after that, for your own pleasure.”
    This was not going as she had planned. “I am not blaming you. I do not think there is cause to blame anyone. I am only explaining why on an evening soon I need to visit a gaming hall less refined than Mrs. Burton’s, and why I thought you would want to come with me when I do.”
    “You were wrong. Nor are you going. It is not fitting.”
    “That is an odd command coming from you. You used to go, when you were a woman of the world, and not a dutiful, meek bride.” She regretted snapping that out in response as soon as she said it.
    Cassandra looked like she had been slapped. They sat in silence. Lydia considered whether bringing Sarah would work. She could dress Sarah up to appear her companion, and sit her at the table, and—
    “You are determined?” Cassandra asked.
    “I am. I will do it alone if you think aiding me compromises you in some way.”
    “It isn’t that.” Cassandra took her hand and patted it. “I was hoping you would have learned from my mistake, that is all. I suppose that almost never happens, however. I will accompany you so there is not too much talk. However, you only get one shot in this duel, Lydia. Be sure your powder is dry before you aim.”
     • • • 
    O n returning home, Lydia received the news that Emma had taken ill.
    She rushed to her brother’s apartment. He sat beside Emma’s bed, lines of worry etching parentheses on the sides of his eyes. Emma sat up in bed, propped on many pillows. She read a book by the waning light of the day. She greeted Lydia brightly.
    “I heard you were ill,” Lydia said.
    “I was never ill. I only had a moment of light-headedness.”
    “She almost fainted,” Southwaite said.
    Emma patted the side of her bed. “Sit a moment. Darius, why don’t you take this opportunity to go to the garden and take some air.”
    “I do not need air.”
    Emma regarded him indulgently. “Lydia will be here, and there are two servants waiting in my dressing room should I need them. It would not do for me to worry about your health more than you worry about mine.”
    Reluctantly, Southwaite stood. “You are to call for me at once, Lydia, if she— That is, if anything—” He bent and kissed Emma’s crown, then left.
    Emma cocked her head, listening for the door to close. When it did, she sank back on her pillows with a deep sigh. “Thank you for coming so I have some relief. He watches me so closely that I measure every breath.”
    “Did you really almost faint?”
    “I only had a moment of dizziness when I rose from my chair in the library. Unfortunately, he was there and—” She gestured to her bed. “He will sit here all night, I fear.”
    “I will offer to do so instead, if you prefer.” The plans with Cassandra would have to wait.
    “He will never allow it. I expect him to return soon and banish you until tomorrow.”
    “I suppose he is worried about the child. It could be his heir.”
    Emma could capture one totally with her gaze, with a frank penetration that could be unsettling. She did that now. “It is partly worry for the child that has him so protective and concerned, of course, but mostly he is tortured by worry for me.”
    “If you say so, I must believe you, because you know him much better than I do.” There were days when she did not understand Southwaite at all, nor he her. “If he remains like this, however, I fear you will do him grave harm before the child comes.”
    Emma giggled and they laughed together. “Oh, he will not be so impossible after a week or so. Why, he left just now, did he not? Thirty minutes here, two hours there—I am weaning him away from my side. Eventually I will have a life that approaches what I normally know.”
    “Normal enough for your family’s auction