Chapter 1

Chapter One

“ T here can be absolutely no doubt. This time we have out done ourselves. He is perfect for you, absolutely perfect!” Duchess Rose Emberly exclaimed.

Emily Pembleton felt her heart sink at her eldest sister’s words. Beside Rose, Emily’s other sister, Jane was nodding enthusiastically. She was the youngest of the three women, and both her sisters were now married. Each to a Duke.

“Oh, I am not sure if–”

“Come on Emily, will you not at least give him a chance? It was your keen eye that helped me find my way into Blake’s arms, it seems only fair that I should return the favour!” Jane gently took her hand in hers, her eyes full of a gentle affection as she thought of her own husband.

“It was not a favour. I just wanted you to be happy. And it was clear the two of you were well suited.” Emily felt her cheeks redden. Must everything be so transactional? “You do not need to repay me for anything.”

“Well, then consider it our sisterly prerogative.” Rose said, glancing between Jane and Emily. “After all, we need to look after you.”

Rose moved towards her and gently reached up to tuck a strand of Emily’s hair behind her ears. Emily was several inches taller than both of her sisters. Where they seemed perfectly proportioned, Emily felt like a perpetually gangly teenager – she had given up hope that she might someday grow into her limbs.

“I do not need looking after.” Emily muttered.

“Perhaps looking after was the wrong choice of words.” Jane moved towards them. “We just want to support you, to help you find happiness. After all, you are our baby sister.”

“Hardly a baby!” Emily pointed out. “I am two and twenty.”

“Exactly! And this is why we need to find you a match.” Rose insisted.

Though her sister’s smile was kind, Emily struggled to smile back. She felt a twist in her stomach and tried to keep her voice light as she said, “Is it not usually the place of a mother to find a match?”

The Viscountess Cotswalts was renowned for her matchmaking skills, and though she had secured a marriage for Rose and Rose’s sister-in-law, Olivia, she had not managed to find Emily a love-match.

“You know that Mother is in Bath for the season, she needs to recover her strength.” Jane wrung her hands, and Emily could see the worry in her eyes. “Besides, Mother could not see what you saw when you matched me with Blake, and has not had any success with you yet. It’s obvious you need a little sisterly guidance.”

“Because that worked so well last time.” Emily retorted without thinking, her temper flaring as she remembered her sister’s last matchmaking attempt.

Jane winced and glanced at Rose. Guilt swelled in Emily. She sighed and took Jane’s hand in hers.

“I am sorry that was unkind.” Emily said.

“You have nothing to apologise for. It was… Well, it was unfortunate how things turned out.” Jane shook her head. “And this time will be different. Rose and I have done much, much more research.”

Rose nodded in agreement. “Besides, the Marquess of Snowden is only one man.”

“One man, who has rather a lot of sway. And who seems to have made it his delight to spread all sorts of rumours about me about the ton.” Which have only made me even more unmarriable. Emily clenched her hands into fists. “All because I did not want to marry him.”

“I am so sorry that we ever introduced the pair of you, I had no idea of his temperament.” Rose bit her lip, a flash of anger in her eyes.

“Honestly it is ridiculous how readily the ton believed his lies. And those letters –” Jane began, but Emily interrupted her, colour flaring in her cheeks.

She held up a hand. “- I do not want to discuss them.”

“I still do not know why you have not proved you did not write them. It would be easy enough to do, you would just have to have a sample of your writing to hand and-” Jane began but Emily shook her head.

“- and no doubt he would think of half a dozen more lies. I have no desire to spend the rest of my life disproving him.” She sighed. “My reputation was hardly wonderful before his interference, and I think it safe to say that it is well and truly tarnished at this point. I might as well accept my life as a spinster.”

“Emily, you are being ridiculous.” Rose gave Emily a frank look—such a perfect mirror of their mother’s that for a moment, she felt as though she were staring at the woman. “You cannot simply become a spinster! Not when you are a perfectly marriable young woman.”

“Clearly, I am not. Otherwise, I would be married.” Emily pointed out unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. She forced herself to smile brightly and shrug as she said, “Besides, I think a spinster’s life might suit me.”

“How do you intend to provide for yourself?” Jane asked, chewing on her bottom lip, something Emily knew meant she was very worried. “Father will not be around forever, and we have no idea if the new Viscount will keep you on.”

“I- Well I…” Emily faltered. What will I do when there is a new Viscount?

None of them had even met their father’s heir. He was a second cousin of their father’s. Would he be willing to bear the financial burden of an unmarried woman? Or would she be left homeless? She felt a prickle of fear steal across her.

“I…” Emily began again, but she stopped herself from saying that she could live with one of them.

I will not be a burden.

Rose moved towards her, and hugged her gently. “Jane and I will always be there for you, but even if we provide for you financially, I am not sure we can continue to do so all your life. Especially not as our own families grow.”

“I could learn a trade or…” Emily trialled off. What skills do I even have?

“Trading or manual work is a hard life, and hardly befitting a member of the ton. I know you care not for propriety, but even so, you know what that would mean.” Jane pointed out. “You would be isolated from society.”

Isolated from them. Would her sisters still want to see her if she was that much of a social pariah? How much money did one even need to live comfortably?

“It is not an option, dearest Emily.” Rose said. “Especially not with your reputation as it is.”

“There are plenty of eccentric women in the ton, why the Dowager Duchess Caverton –” Emily began but Rose cut her off with a firm shake of her head.

Her oldest sister said, a tired note in her voice. “- is so wealthy no one would think to slight her. And more to the point, the woman has been married thrice. A widow is more acceptable than a spinster.”

“A spinster’s life is a hard and lonely one, especially without truly spectacular wealth. Which unfortunately neither of us have to spare.” Jane added, her cheeks flushed with colour.

Emily had never thought to enquire about her sisters’ finances. In truth she had never really paid much attention to any kind of money matters. The whole thing was beyond her. I am a fool. There is no way I could manage as a spinster, especially not as I am…

“I… I had not thought of that.” Emily moved to the window, hugging herself with her arms.

“We are just trying to look after you.” Jane explained.

“You need a husband.” Rose added.

Emily nodded, even as her heart squeezed in her chest. What if it all falls apart again? How am I supposed to go through yet another failed courtship? “What makes you think he would even be interested in me? You yourselves have just pointed out the issue of my reputation.”

“Which is very easily put to rest, provided you both meet and get to know each other.” The relief and encouragement was clear in Rose’s voice. “Anyone who spends time with you will soon see the truth of the matter.”

Emily shrugged. “Either that or he is simply desperate for a wife.”

“Do you really think Jane and I would set you up with some bottom of the barrel man? Who wants nothing more than a wife?” Rose raised an eyebrow at her.

“No.” Emily admitted.

“Just get to know him a little, I am sure you will see what we see.” Rose insisted

“Which is?” Emily canted her head towards her sister.

“A nice, handsome young man, who will no doubt bring you untold happiness.” Jane winked at her

“Fine. I suppose I can meet him once I have returned to Pembleton in a fortnight. Then I will – ” Emily caught sight of her sisters exchanging a look with each other... and then heard the tell-tale sound of a carriage approaching.

She moved to the window, a suspicion forming in her mind. She saw a finely gilded carriage stop, and out of it stepped a blond man with a kind smile.

“You did not invite me here for a fortnight to spend time with my nieces and nephews, did you? You invited me here to arrange my marriage!” Emily felt rage and embarrassment swell within her. “I cannot believe you lied to me.”

“We knew if we told you the truth you would not come.” Jane made a calming motion with her hands, clearly trying to sooth Emily’s obvious agitation.

“Of course not! I cannot believe you have done this. Honestly, the two of you are as bad as mother.” Emily threw up her hands in exasperation.

“It is hardly sneakier than any of the things you did when we were at Cressida’s wedding.” Jane pointed out, and Emily felt her cheeks redden.

“It was barely more than a nudge here or there. Hardly the same as trapping you in a house with a stranger you barely know for a fortnight!”

“In fairness, that part was all Cressida. You, however, are the one who steered us together.” Jane moved in front of Emily, a fiery determination in her eyes.

“Only because you two could not get out of your own way. You were made for each other!” Emily only just managed not to shout.

“But I did not know that. You did.” Jane gently prodded Emily in her arm. “So, trust me when I say he is utterly perfect for you.”

“I am leaving.” Emily made to move past Jane, but Rose grabbed her arm. “Emily wait-”

A knock at the door silenced all of them, and a moment later the footman entered with the smiling, blond man behind him. Rose kept a gentle hold of Emily’s arm, arranging her face into a calm, collected smile.

How does she always manage to look like the perfect lady? Emily absently brushed another stray lock of hair from her face, hoping that she looked at least slightly presentable.

“Announcing Lord Rodger Baine.” The footman gestured to the blond man, who swept a low bow.

“Lord Baine, thank you so much for accepting our invitation.” Rose strode towards the man as Jane and Emily curtsied. “You have already met my sister, Duchess Caden.”

“A pleasure to see you again, your Grace.” Lord Baine inclined his head towards Jane.

His movement was somewhat stiff, but his tone was warm if a little self-conscious.

“And you, Lord Baine.” Jane curtsied in return.

“And this must be the woman your letter praised so highly? Your other sister?” Lord Baine smiled at Emily, and she found herself smiling back. “It is an honour to make your acquaintance Miss Pembleton.”

“And yours, Lord Baine.” Emily curtsied. “How was your journey?”

“It was good, thank you.” Lord Baine said.

“Your reply said that your brother would be accompanying you, yet I do not see another with you?” Rose peered behind Lord Baine.

“Your brother?” Emily canted her head towards Lord Baine.

“Yes, the Duke of Warren. I could hardly get married without his seal of approval.” Lord Baine said jovially, though he tugged at his collar as he did so. “I am sure he will join us shortly. He was just supervising the unloading of our luggage and such.”

“Does he always take a keen interest in such things?” Emily frowned.

“He just likes to make sure things are done properly. He is rather particular.” Lord Baine shrugged and glanced towards the door.

Emily followed his gaze, but there was no one waiting on the threshold. “And are you as particular?”

“Not really.” Lord Baine replied. “I do not like to deal with people overly much. Not that I mind socialising of course, I just…”

“No, it is quite all right Lord Baine. I understand.” Emily smiled at him. “If you do not care for socialising, what do you care for?”

“Well, I am rather heavily invested in philosophy. Have you read much on the subject?” Lord Baine asked.

Emily shook her head, her chest going tight. “No, I confess I have not.”

“You should. It is really rather fascinating, especially some of the thought coming out of Germany.” Lord Baine began to speak of various philosophers and their merits.

Emily smiled politely, doing her best to seem interested in the subject. Perhaps this will not be so bad, he seems pleasant enough.

“Oh!” Rose turned to Emily. “We have recently acquired some books on philosophy, right there on the shelf. Will you have a look sister?”

“Of course.”

Emily tried to ignore how her stomach twisted, like it always did when the topic of reading was mentioned. She was pretending to look when Lord Baine asked “are you the philosophy enthusiast, Your Grace?”

“Oh no, I rarely have the time to read anymore. They are my sister in law’s—Emily, the books are right in front of you, the red ones!”

She was saved from having to guess exactly which red books her sister was talking about by the footman, who had returned and announced, “Presenting His Grace, Duke Warren.”

A tall man strode through the door, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. He was easily a head taller than his brother, with longer, dark hair and piercing blue eyes.

Where Lord Baine’s face was soft and cherubic, this man’s face was all sharp lines and well-defined features. There was a hardness about him, a distance. Yet she could not look away.

“Forgive my delay, Duchess Emberly, Duchess Caden.” His voice was deep, richer than his cold tone deserved.

The colour of his voice, it reminds me of winter. Emily pictured a frozen lake surrounded by snow. He was the opposite of his brother in almost every way. Before Emily could think of anything to say, the man had cast about the room and then swept a low bow to Rose and Jane.

“Though it seems I am not the only one who is late.” Duke Warren frowned. “It is hardly a good sign that my brother’s intended has not yet arrived. Does she make a habit of being late to things?”

“Actually, brother- ” Lord Baine began, shooting Emily an apologetic look, but Duke Warren ignored him.

“I hope her tardiness is not an indication of other character defects.” Duke Warren said. “This match is rather important.”

“It is not an indication of any character defects.” Emily stepped towards the Duke, her anger making her find her voice. “Because I am not late. The only one who has kept us waiting is you, Your Grace.”

Duke Warren’s head snapped towards her, his eyes widening in surprise as he scanned her from head to toe. “ You are Miss Pembleton?”

This is going to be a disaster.