Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

" Y our Grace, you have callers."

Marina looked up from her book. She was lounging on the chaise in the drawing room for the natural light though visiting hours had long ago ended. She and Phillip were set to leave for Paris the next day—a fact that she was sure her friends and family were well aware of—and she was not expecting visitors, least of all the sort who ignored such customs as announcement or timeliness. She stood and met the steward by the door where she saw a name that shook her constitution. Her eyes flickered up to the steward though if he had feelings on the matter, he did not betray them.

"Callers? There is but one card here."

"The young lady who accompanies him did not have one to present. He wishes to make an introduction then he will take his leave as he has been banished from the estate."

Marina sighed, placing the card down on the silver tray. Her eyes flickered up to the ceiling as if she could see her husband pacing around his study if she only stared hard enough. He would likely become cross with her for entertaining the thought at all, and she was certain that the steward had suffered some abuse from her caller. He would not have obeyed Phillip's orders otherwise.

"Send in the young lady. I shall make my own introduction and decide for myself if she is worthy company."

Who could Emmanuel Hayward want her to meet? A thousand ideas crossed her mind—an old acquaintance of Phillip's who would corroborate Emmanuel's stories of his debauchery? Perhaps a young woman Phillip had befriended? An actress sent to sully her husband's reputation?

No matter her worries—the reality turned out to be much worse.

The girl who entered her drawing room was stunning with pale skin and cherubic features framed by long, dark hair. She had a petite but feminine figure, and she was dressed in a fine silk dress.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace," the girl said brightly, sinking into a clumsy, old-fashioned curtsy. "I am Emma Sharpe, soon to be Lady Emma Pond. My Uncle Hayward is hosting me at his home for the season and has sent me to make your acquaintance. You are Phillip's wife, aren't you?"

Marina noticed that Emma did not seem to realize how strange their meeting was, and she wondered what sort of upbringing she had to be so thick in social matters. She was a sweet, pretty girl, but that she would be married to a lord must have been a testament to her fair features more than anything else. She was quite pretty, but something else was bothering Marina deeply.

"Soon to be? You are engaged to be married?"

"I am!" Emma clapped her hands together and beamed, reminding Marina of her youngest sister. "To Arthur Pond. He is a kind, strong gentleman though he is nearly ten years my elder. I am quite young, still, so he is quite young as well!"

Marina gestured for Emma to follow her to the couch where they sat, and tea was brought. Marina's breathing was slow, steady, and deliberate as she worked to keep her composure. If what Emma said was true, Marina was sure that her heart would turn black and shriveled from betrayal.

"And how old are you, dear Emma?"

"I will turn seven and ten in a fortnight. My uncle said that you are a fine young lady and that I should befriend you and learn from you so that I might better fit in with the Ponds. They are a large and affluent family, and I do not wish to embarrass my love once we are wed."

"Your uncle flatters me. I was not wed until I was two and twenty, so I may not be the best role model for you. I will introduce you to some ladies who might be. When is your wedding?"

"Oh, thank you! It's the winter next, so I have plenty of time to prepare."

"More than a year from now?"

"Yes. My Lord is overseas at the moment dealing with some property deal or other. I cannot be sure. I find all talk of business and finances to be such a bore."

Marina's eyes flickered to Emma's waist. Not only was she a babe, but there was absolutely no indication that she had ever come close to lying with a man, much less having a baby.

But what reason could Phillip have to lie to her? Marina blinked rapidly as her eyes began to burn, not quite filling with tears but close to it if she could not get ahold of herself.

"When did you come to stay with your uncle?"

"Oh, quite recently."

"If Emmanuel is your uncle, then you must know my husband, the Duke of Peterborough?"

"I do! I met him at a ball recently. He is cold, at first, but kind overall."

Marina's eyes flashed with rage. "Are you not kin to him? His cousin?"

Emma shook her head no, and before the girl could start speaking, Marina was already up and walking across the room. Emma followed closely behind. "We are no relation. Emmanuel is my uncle through marriage. His late wife is my aunt. Your Grace…can I ask where we are going?"

"To visit with your uncle."