Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

“ I do not think I will ever forgive my sisters for this.” Emily exclaimed shaking her head.

“For what?” Natalie asked, canting her head towards Emily.

The two of them had decided to walk together in the gardens, each wanting to take a brief break from the chaos of Emberly castle. Natalie had suggested they walk to the lake, and Emily had accepted.

The birds were singing and there was a gentle breeze in the air. She breathed in deeply, hoping the scent of late summer would calm her. But it did not.

“Neither of them consulted me about this. They simply decided that this was the best course of action.” Emily made a disgusted noise.

“Did you consult Jane when you matched her with Duke Caden?”

“No. But that was different. They had already met and I could see the sparks between them. When she was with him, she came to life.” Emily smiled, remembering how she had watched her sister return to the person she had used to be. “All I did was help them see what they were too stubborn to admit.”

“Perhaps your sisters feel they are doing the same?” Natalie offered. “After all, I am sure they only have your best interests at heart. They are your sisters.”

“I just wish they had thought to talk to me about it instead of tricking me into the whole affair. Sometimes it feels like –” Emily caught herself and shook her head.

“It feels like what?” Natalie asked.

Like they do not know me at all. Like they only accept my presence because we are related. I am simply tag-along Emily. She sighed. She knew she could not say that aloud so instead she said, “it feels like they forget I am my own person. Like they do not trust me.”

“I am sure they do. Although I will admit, it is rather irritating when a sibling decides to interfere in your life.” Natalie grimaced. “I can only imagine how annoying Alexander will be once I am out.”

“Rose will probably temper some of his more brotherly instincts.” Emily smiled, thinking of the stories Olivia had told her of Alexander’s brotherly ways when she had been falling in love with Nigel.

Natalie laughed. “Hopefully. Still, that is two years away and I need not worry about it now.”

“That is true, though it is never too early to start preparing for your first season. At least, that is what my mother always says.” Emily glanced down at the girl.

She was as tall as Emily – all the Emberlys were tall – but seemed far less self-conscious than she had been at that age. She walked with an easy, effortless grace and was not afraid to speak her mind. She had fire and passion which was probably why Emily felt so comfortable with her. I hope the ton does not beat this out of her.

“When did your mother start preparing you for yours?” Natalie asked.

“Well, she was rather more focused on Rose if I am honest. There were some troubles and well, if Rose did not find a good match, it was likely none of us would.” Emily tried to keep her voice nonchalant, even as she felt the familiar sting of in her chest. Rose was her one chance, her crowning jewel. “Besides, I think my mother found me rather more rebellious than my sisters.”

“I think it is the youngest child’s prerogative to be a little rebellious.” Natalie laughed.

“I quite agree.” Emily could not help but laugh as well. “Though perhaps if I had been less so I would not now be in such a frustrating situation.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well not only do I have to win the approval of Lord Baine, but I have to somehow win over his dratted brother as well.” Emily shook her head. “How am I supposed to win over a man like that?”

“Like Lord Baine?” Natalie began to pluck daisies from the grass and work them into a chain.

Emily made a dismissive gesture. “No: Duke Warren.”

“But you are trying to marry his brother.” Natalie pointed out.

“Who will not marry me without his brother’s approval.” Emily explained.

“Do you really want to marry a man who is so beholden to his brother that he would let him stand in the way of his own happiness?” Natalie’s eyes narrowed in suspicion and she wrinkled her nose.

Emily felt a tug in her chest as she said, “It is not really about what I want. You are young, not yet out, but… Well, there are not many options left to me Natalie. I need this marriage to work.”

“But you are so pretty.” Natalie’s brow furrowed. “And you are clever and really funny.”

“I wish that were enough to secure a good husband. Or any husband at all.” She tried to sound as though she were joking, but bitterness came out all the same.

“Even a bad husband?” Natalie teased.

“Well, no, preferably not a bad husband.” Emily admitted “But at this point, beggars cannot be choosers.”

“You are hardly a beggar.”

“I am starting to fear that if I do not marry Lord Baine, then I will be condemned to the life of a spinster. I will be a burden on my family and at the mercy of the next viscount.” Emily felt panic claw at her chest. It was as though the spring air were suddenly icy cold, and far too thin.

She forced herself to take slow, deep breaths, relaxing her shoulders as she did so.

Her eyes were full of determination as she said, “I have to make this work, Natalie. I just have to!”

“You do not love Lord Baine then?” Natalie sounded sad.

“Love is not a luxury I can afford. Lord Baine seems pleasant enough. I am sure in time we might form some kind of friendship.” Emily tried to convince herself of the truth of her words.

In her mind’s eye, she imagined all the books Lord Baine had read. The constant discussion of philosophy. He clearly thought she was capable of such things, but he would learn the truth of it soon enough. No, I will not think of that now.

Natalie surveyed Emily for a moment and she had the sense that the girl was holding something back. Eventually she said, “well I suppose we shall just have to figure out how you will win the Duke’s approval. Then you can marry Lord Baine and you will be safe and secure.”

“The question is how? He is so straight laced it is a wonder the man can even breathe.” Emily exclaimed.

“He does seem rather more formal than I am used to. Is there a way you might meet in the middle?” Natalie finished making her daisy chain and placed it upon her head like a crown, and then began to make another.

Emily frowned at her. “What do you mean?”

“I do not think you should become someone else simply to get his approval, especially as you are not marrying him but his brother.” Natalie explained. “But perhaps you might find some common ground, or some kind of compromise that might allow him to see your point of view and you to see his.”

“Perhaps. I suppose it can hardly hurt to try.” Emily privately thought she might struggle to see the Duke’s point of view, but there was no harm in trying.

“Exactly.” Natalie looked around them. “I think I am going to go for a ride, would you like to join me?”

“No, I should get back to the house. But thank you, Natalie, this has been really lovely.”

“You do not need to thank me, I enjoy our talks.”

Emily embraced her and then set off towards the house. Natalie was probably right. There had to be some kind of middle ground between her and the duke. She just had to find it.

“And the knight goes there.” A familiar voice floated towards her as she entered the house and passed the library.

Curious, she peered into the room and saw Duke Warren poised in front of a chess board, frowning as he moved his knight. She moved closer, watching as he moved the pieces of both the white and black sets.

“Are you so starved for competition that you must play against yourself?” Emily asked.

The Duke looked up, startled. Emily kicked herself. So much for trying to find common ground.

“I am simply practicing.” The Duke returned to his game.

Emily sighed and watched as he moved the black bishop. “I would have moved the queen to that square instead. That would have allowed you to take the white knight and freed the castle to claim the white bishop.”

The Duke shook his head. “That would have left my own king vulnerable and I would have lost.”

“Well there is only one way to find out.” Emily sat down opposite the Duke. “We shall simply have to play them both.”

Duke Warren stiffened and for a moment, Emily thought he would walk away. His blue eyes met hers, and she felt an odd tug in her chest.

The Duke hesitated and then he nodded. “Very well, but you will see that I am right.”

“I do not think so, but I am prepared to be proven wrong.” Emily replied. “I should be able to manoeuvre the pieces to get to where you were.”

The Duke’s eyes widened slightly and he canted his head towards her. “You can remember where all the pieces were?”

“Yes. Though if you are concerned, I can sketch them out so we have a reference.” Emily reached for a nearby sheet of paper and a pen, but the Duke shook his head.

“That is a rather impressive skill, but you need not sketch out the positions.” He surveyed her thoughtfully and then held up a small leather bound book with small, gold lettering on the front.

Emily squinted at it, feeling her heart squeeze. She suppressed the nerves in her belly and said as calmly as she could manage, “The lettering is rather too small for me to see.”

“It is a chess master's guide to the great game. There is a diagram of the board. I was actually exploring a move when you interrupted me.” The Duke explained.

Emily searched him for some sign that he was rebuking her, but he seemed simply to be explaining the book to her. “Do you often read such things?”

“I find that a good grasp of theory is essential to mastery of anything.” Duke Warren gestured to the board and surprised Emily with a smile. “Now, are you ready to be proven wrong?”

Emily found herself smiling back in return. “I believe, your Grace, it is you who will be proven wrong.”

“Then let us begin.” Duke Warren’s eyes sparkled, and for a moment, Emily thought that perhaps there might be a middle ground to find after all.