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would have been devastated, heartbroken. Now, however, this
was not the case. She was wholly convinced that he loved her,
but even so a small part of her still desperately craved reas-
surance.  Is it the engagement you regret, Hawk? She kept
her gaze firmly fixed on the intricate folds of his cravat.
 Because if it is you have only to say so, and I ll 
 You know it is not! His voice might have been harsh, but
his touch now could not have been more gentle as he curled
his long fingers about her upper arms.  Look at me, Em! he
ordered, and then waited for her to obey.  The means by
which I persuaded you to agree to our engagement doesn t
precisely redound to my credit. But do not ever doubt that it
was the dearest wish of my heart. I love you, Emily Staple-
ton, and fully intend to spend the rest of my life with you.
He placed one hand under her chin, holding her head up so
that she could not mistake the sincerity in his eyes, even if she
quite failed to detect it in his voice.  I allowed you to back
out once before, remember& ? I shall never permit you to do
so again.
 And who suggested that I would ever wish to? she
murmured, raising one hand to touch his cheek.
Sebastian s triumphant shout seemed to hang in the air
long after his mouth had covered hers in a kiss that showed
more clearly than words ever could that he considered her
wholly his.  I ve been patient for almost five long years,
Anne Ashley 205
Emily, he murmured, reluctantly dragging his lips away to
bury them in her hair.  Do not be cruel and expect me to wait
for very much longer. I m only flesh and blood, and I d be
less than honest if I didn t admit to feeling the strain.
As if to add credence to his words, he held her firmly
away, his ragged breathing further proof, had Emily needed
any, that he was indeed a gentleman battling to maintain his
control. She too was not oblivious to the sensations his touch
never failed to arouse in her, an addictive brew of tactile
pleasure, excitement and anticipation which never failed to
leave her craving further intimate contact.
 I cannot see any reason why the wedding should not take
place soon after our return to Dorset, she assured him with
complete sincerity, little realising that within the space of
twenty-four hours she would discover something which
would force her to revise her opinion and which would send
her toppling from the pinnacle of happiness to the very depths
of despair.
The ball which the Dowager Lady Templehurst had managed
to organise in so short a time was one of the last major events
of the Season, and the first party to be held at the Sutherland
mansion since the tragic demise of the former head of the family.
It didn t take Emily very long to realise that poor Michael,
dutifully standing beside his formidable great-aunt at the
entrance to the ballroom, was not precisely enjoying the ex-
perience of playing host to the cream of Society. More than
once Emily caught him mopping his young brow, and his
fixed smile was beginning to show definite signs of cracking
under the strain.
 Poor Michael isn t at all comfortable with his role, she
remarked, as she and Lady Hester found themselves two
vacant chairs by the wall.  I wonder at you, ma am, for en-
couraging Lady Templehurst to hold such a grand event in her
nephew s home.
206 Lord Hawkridge s Secret
A hint of pure mischief sprang into her chaperon s eyes.
 Well dear, I was forced to agree when she sought my advice
on the night we visited the theatre that, now having attained
the age of four-and-twenty, Michael ought to be thinking of
the future. I m not suggesting that he should be considering
marriage seriously quite yet, but it wouldn t hurt to think
about the kind of girl he might one day wish to wed. Unde-
niably Lady Templehurst is a domineering female, but she s
genuinely attached to her nephew and has only his best inter-
ests at heart. She doesn t wish to see the title go to another
branch of the family.
 And I for one do not doubt for a moment that such a de-
termined woman will achieve her objective, Emily re-
sponded, glancing about the crowded ballroom.  Considering
she didn t organise this affair until very late in the Season, she
has certainly succeeded in persuading many leading figures
to attend, although there are some notable absentees too.
 Little wonder, dear. The very warm weather has induced
several families to return to the country early. And many
more are planning to leave within the next few days.
 And some have remained longer than originally planned,
Emily returned, catching sight of Mr Tobias Trevenen heading
towards the spot where Sebastian stood amid a group of gen-
tlemen.  I suppose Michael must have persuaded him to
remain to bear him company for this ordeal.
Lady Hester did not comment, and merely glanced across
the room at her niece, who was conversing with none other
than Lady Hewley.  I m pleased to see Caroline is once again
present tonight, and is at least appearing as though she s
enjoying herself. I cannot imagine she ll wish to remain in
town for very much longer, although the poor child must
abide by her husband s wishes, I suppose.
Until that moment Emily had not considered it strange that
Sir Courtney had seemed happy for his wife to remain with
him in the capital. He must have had his reasons, but she very
Anne Ashley 207
much doubted that a sudden desire for her company was one
of them.
 You are about to be offered the opportunity to discover
that, ma am, Emily remarked, as she noticed Caroline
heading in their direction, with a look of comical dismay
flitting over her features.
 Lady Hewley is an unconscionable gabble-monger,
Caroline declared the instant she reached them.  Why
Courtney chooses to associate with such persons I cannot
imagine. I have just been informed by that loquacious young
woman that she is to dine with us tomorrow evening.
 That is something for you to look forward to, my dear,
her aunt responded wryly.  You must hope that you can look
forward to a swift return to Derbyshire too.
 I wish I could say that I was, Aunt. But Courtney has yet
to inform me of his plans. I understand that you and Emily
are leaving next week.
 Yes, and I cannot say that I ll be sorry to go. It has grown
so insufferably warm of late. Although I must say, she added,
giving Emily s hand a fond pat,  that I have very much
enjoyed myself.
 Yes, thanks to Emily and& and a few others, so have I,
Caroline admitted.
Emily was surprised to catch a rather wistful expression
flit over Lady Hester s features. Unfortunately she wasn t
able to discover just what might have prompted the odd look,
for her hand was claimed for the first set of country dances, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]