“Allow me,” Alex purred as he moved to stand behind her. Emma was shocked when he picked up her hairbrush and began to stroke her hair softly, sweeping it up atop her head.
“I won’t even ask where you learned to dress hair.”
“You probably shouldn’t.”
“You have scores of mistresses, I’m sure.”
“You’ve been gossiping about me,” he accused.
“Only a little,” she admitted.
“How unfair of you. I didn’t even know your true name.” Alex plucked the barrette from Emma’s fingers and deftly secured her hair into place.
“Well, now you do,” Emma commented, unable to think of anything more interesting to say.
“So I do,” Alex replied, for much the same reason.
The two of them paused, simply watching the other tentatively. Emma finally broke the silence. “But you mustn’t act as if you know me. I wouldn’t want anyone to suspect anything untoward.”
“Of course. Although you can be sure that I will seek out a proper introduction as soon as possible. And then you’ll have a fine time avoiding me.”
“Not for want of trying, I’m sure.” The insulting words tumbled out before Emma could stop them, but Alex only laughed softly.
“You do have a charming wit, my dear Emma.” His head quickly swooped down as he placed a quick kiss on Emma’s surprised lips. “Now go on and return to your ball. I won’t follow you for at least a quarter of an hour.”
Emma rushed to the door, opened it, and slipped into the hallway. Pausing briefly, she stuck her head back into her bedroom. “Promise?”
Alex chuckled. “Promise.”
Chapter 6
Emma breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she closed the bedroom door behind her. Although she’d only met the Duke of Ashbourne that day, she knew instinctively that he was a man of his word and would not cause an irreparable scandal by following her directly back to the ballroom. He would keep his promise and wait at least fifteen minutes before reappearing.
Emma moved silently through the dark hallways of her cousins’ home until she emerged at the top of the stairs that led to the brightly lit ballroom. She stopped for a moment to survey the scene. Aunt Caroline had surely outdone herself this time. It was really quite breathtaking. Exotic, brightly colored flowers adorned the refreshment tables that lined the walls of the room. Hundreds of serene off-white candles had also been placed around the perimeter of the ballroom. But the most spectacular part were the guests. Dashing men and elegant women swept effortlessly across the dance floor, whirling to the tunes provided by the orchestra Caroline had hired for the evening. The ladies were especially brilliant, their jewels glittering shamelessly in the candlelight as their bright silks and satins floated through the air. The dancing couples seemed to move in unison, as if choreographed, turning the ballroom into a kaleidoscope of light and color.
As Emma smiled at the gorgeous spectacle, she didn’t realize she was something of a sight herself. By pausing at the top of the stairs, she had unwittingly given the entire ballroom a chance to stop and stare at her. And stare they did.
“I’m definitely in love,” declared John Millwood, one of Ned’s university friends with whom Emma had danced earlier in the evening.
Ned laughed heartily. His blue eyes were just as bright as his sister’s although his hair was a dark mahogany brown. “Forget it, John. You could never keep up with her. Besides, I thought you were in love with my sister.”
“Right, well, still am, I suppose. You’ve simply got too many beautiful women under your roof. It just isn’t fair.”
Ned grimaced. “You’d be changing your tune if you had to deal with all the suitors who are continually banging down the door. I thought it was bad last year when it was just Belle, but it’ll be hell now that Emma’s here, too.”
Just then, two more of their friends came rushing over. “Ned, you simply must introduce us to your cousin,” exclaimed the young Lord Linfield. His companion, Nigel Eversley, nodded in agreement.
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to petition my mother for that. I’ve given up trying to keep track of all the people who want introductions to Emma.”
“She’s stunning, simply stunning,” John sighed.
“I don’t know how much more of this I can take,” Ned groaned.
“’Course we’d all be content if you’d simply agree to put in a few good words about us with your sister,” Nigel said eagerly.
“I did that last year,” Ned retorted. “It didn’t do you any good, if you recall.”
“You might try putting in a few excellent words, then,” George Linfield suggested.
“You three are simply going to have to accept that the last thing my female relatives are going to do is listen to me,” Ned said dryly. “Nothing I say ever sways them one way or another.”
“A biddable female, that’s what I need,” George muttered.
“Don’t look for one in my family,” Ned chuckled.
“What happened to biddable females? Why can’t I find one?” George continued to lament his plight.
“They’re all ugly and boring,” John decided. “Oh God, here she comes!”
Sure enough, Emma had spotted her cousin and was heading straight toward the group of men. “Hello, Ned,” she said softly, a vision in violet satin. “Good evening, John. I so enjoyed our dance earlier.” John beamed at her friendly words. Emma then turned to the two men she had not met and smiled at them expectantly, waiting for Ned to introduce them.