To Refuse a Rake (11 page)

The first missive had arrived the evening after their tense conversation. Emma had been quite nervous to open it. Inside only a few lines had been scrawled across the page, but they were delivered with a powerful declaration.

Thank you for a lovely walk. Your presence livens the very air.—A
fool.

So much had been conveyed in that simple note. For him to close his missive with the very condemnation she had spoken of was truly humbling. What was it like to be so fearless? How could Hudson not be afraid of her rejection? Certainly she had implied it repeatedly, yet he persisted with little encouragement. Surely any other suitor would have turned to an easier target by now.

A new missive had arrived each day. In it he articulated a trait he admired about her and then why. And always signing it –
A
fool.
By now Emma was miserable. Her newly reinforced convictions of a week ago were weaker than ever. After all, Hudson had clearly made it known that he was willing to take a risk and be a fool, in her words. Truly he was convinced that she was worth the risk! But, why? What possible motivation could he have? Or was love truly that compelling?

She resolved to find out. If Hudson could willingly call himself a fool, knowing full well that his chances of rejection were high, then she would test the waters. If she were right in her convictions, this would surely solidify them beyond any sort of temptation, but if she were wrong… then maybe it would be worth the risk.

The morning of Lady Linden’s house party, Emma paced incessantly across the parlor floor as she waited for the carriage to be prepared.

“You’re about to wear a hole through the carpet, you know.” Sadie spoke with a snicker as she walked into the parlor with light and excited steps.

“I doubt it,” Emma retorted but stopped her pacing.

“Why are you so nervous? It’s not as if this is the only house party we’ve attended,” Sadie said as she sat on the settee and began to smooth her skirt.

“No, but Lord Daventry will be there and—”

“And you’re afraid he’ll seduce you? Or afraid he won’t?” Sadie asked with a wicked tilt of her lips.

“Sadie! “ Emma shouted and placed her hands on her hips in a scolding fashion. “Of all the things to say!” Emma tried to keep a straight face but her lips tilted into a grin at her sister’s unrepentant smile.

“It wouldn’t be too terrible you know… at least then you could easily convince yourself that your marriage to him was out of necessity rather than because you actually fell in love.” Sadie stood and walked over to her sister.

“What a miserable thing to say.” Emma replied softly.

“What a miserable way to live.” Sadie patted her cheek softly. “Remember? You have shown me the notes he’s sent. That is not a man who is going to cast you aside.”

“But before he left for India, he was such a…”

“A rake?” Sadie helped.

“Yes, among other things. Why would he change now?”

“Why wouldn’t he?”

“I don’t know. That’s the problem with all of it. I simply do not know.”

“And you feel it necessary to know everything? To plan out each breath and step? No, Emma. That’s not planning, that’s trying to be God.”

“Hudson said something about love being like faith.” Emma spoke after a moment.

“He’s smarter than I gave him credit.” Sadie giggled then placed a loving arm around her sister. “Love is like faith. You might not be able to control love, but you can trust it. People will fail, yes. But love covers those failings with forgiveness so that you can rebuild. I’ve forgiven my late husband, even that wicked baroness. She was betrayed more than I. I’ve forgiven Emmett as well. You need to do the same before you can unlock your heart.”

“But why? They don’t deserve my forgiveness! They don’t deserve yours! They deserve to rot!” Emma spoke vehemently, her own anger surprising her.

“That’s the twist. You’re indeed right. They do not deserve it. But forgiving them doesn’t free them from their mistakes, or erase the pain they caused. But it does give you a chance to be free from the resulting anger’s captivity. Forgiveness doesn’t free them as much as it frees you, Emma. It frees you.”

The footman arrived with a bow and let them know the carriage was all set. With a slight smile Sadie patted her sister’s shoulder and exited the room. Emma watched her retreating back. Indeed she had never thought of forgiving the wretched men who had hurt her sister so badly. Yet as she considered Sadie’s words, the truth of it all sunk in. For if there was one thing Emma was not, it was free.

****

Hudson stood by the window in Lady Linden’s parlor, watching for any approaching carriages. A massive rainstorm had made progress slow for many of the guests and Emma and Lady Hodge still hadn’t arrived.

“They’ll be here shortly, I’m sure of it.” Hewett came to stand beside Hudson.

“I know.” Hudson continued to watch the road.

“Dinner will be served at six! Until then, please settle into your rooms and feel free to roam the gardens since the rain has finally let up!” Lady Linden’s voice carried across the room.

The parlor was decorated with fresh-cut flowers and several tea services with delectable treats scattered throughout the room on beautiful china platters. The party boasted about thirty guests ranging from the soon to be Duke of Longton to the elderly dowager Duchess of Hampshire. Truly, it was a wide range of lords and ladies attending. As Hudson began to scan the room he wondered what his mother had been referring to earlier when she said that all the scandals and interesting events happened at Lady Linden’s. The people attending appeared to be anything but lively and scandalous. Perhaps it was an off year?

The sound of an approaching carriage caused Hudson to turn back to the window. He exhaled a sigh of relief when he saw the Kingsly crest on the side. Excusing himself he headed toward the grand entrance.

Emma was just entering behind her sister when Hudson arrived. His heart ached for the sight of her even as his body tightened with awareness. As if sensing his perusal, Emma turned slightly and caught his gaze. Her sea blue eyes searched his for a moment before she blushed and looked down, a small smile tugging at her full lips. Hudson’s heart began to hammer in his chest. Could it have worked? Could his letters have softened her heart? Hope surged through him, but he held it in check. Only time would tell. With purpose-driven steps, he headed in their direction.

“Lady Hodge, Miss Kingsly. I’m thrilled to know you’ve arrived safe and sound. I trust your journey went well?” Hudson asked as he bowed over Lady Hodge’s hand.

“As well as could be expected in a torrential downpour! I haven’t seen rain like that in an age!” Sadie shook her head in wonder.

Hudson turned to Emma and held her gaze. Without averting his eyes, he grasped her hand and squeezed it slightly. Closing his eyes he kissed the gloved flesh for a scandalous second before releasing her and turning his gaze back to hers. Her lips were parted slightly from the slight contact and Hudson vowed to taste them soon. Already his mouth was aching for the flavor of hers.

“Thank you, Lord Daventry,” Emma murmured.

Lady Linden breezed into the entrance and extended a warm welcome to the two sisters. “Ah! I’m pleased you could make it! I hope the rain was not too difficult! Of all the days for the heavens to open!” She shook her head. “If you’ll follow my housekeeper, she’ll direct you to where you’ll be staying.”

Emma and Lady Hodge followed the housekeeper after prettily thanking their hostess, but Hudson noticed Emma’s shy glance back at him as he watched their departure. Again, hope surged through him. Maybe this party would be lively after all.

After dinner Lady Linden requested the ladies and gentlemen participate in a few parlor games. All Hudson wanted was to steal Emma away and find out just how much her heart had changed, if at all. But steeling against his impatient streak, he endeavored to be patient.

“My dear guests! Due to the dreary rain storm today and the unseasonable cold, I recommend we play a rousing game of ‘Move-All!” Hudson glanced about the room already pre-arranged with a large circle of chairs all spread far apart. He caught sight of Hewett and saw his friend raise his eyebrow in challenge.

“I say, old man, what do you think about a wager?”

“Wager? On ‘Move-All’?”

“Of course! If my wife stays in longer than your Miss Kingsly, then you owe me your finest brandy. But if you win, then I promise to attempt to partner you with Miss Kingsly whenever I’ve the chance.”

“Agreed, but I don’t just plan on winning this wager, I plan on being the last man standing, or sitting as it were.” With that, he left to take a seat. He glanced about for Emma. She was sitting next to her sister across the room. She scanned the crowd till she found him and gave him a challenging raise of her eyebrow. The thrill of a challenge compelled him as he leaned forward in anticipation as Lady Linden stood in the middle of the wide circle.

“I shall review the rules. On my mark, you will move from one chair to another, but you must pick a chair across the room from you. You may not pick a chair beside you. If you do so, you’ll be considered disqualified. Ladies, you have one chance to redeem yourself should you be without a chair, by sitting on a gentleman’s lap. But only once. The winner of the game shall receive a favor from any guest, within propriety, of course. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Hudson called out along with the rest of the crowd.

“Everyone in their seats? Move all!” she shouted and a footman immediately removed a chair from the circle.

All the people hustled across the floor to find another seat. The first elimination was the dowager Duchess of Hampshire who tried to sit on one of the younger gentlemen’s laps but was too late.

The game continued until Hewett, Lady Hewett, Lady Hodge, Sadie, Emma, Hudson and the soon to be Duke of Longton were vying for position. Hudson sat on the edge of his chair.

“Move all!” Lady Linden called and Hudson bolted across the room and found a chair, but in glancing up he saw Lady Hodge frantically searching for a place to sit. Immediately Lord Longton’s arm reached out and pulled her towards himself. Lady Hodge almost fell over but landed ungracefully in his lap. Lord Longton’s eyes crinkled as he grinned at the surprised lady in his lap.

“Oh, thank you, my lord,” Lady Hodge stuttered.

“My pleasure, Lady Hodge. My only regret is that I can only save you this way once!” He gave her a slight head bow.

Hudson felt his eyes widen as he noticed a blush grace Lady Hodge’s features. The weekend was growing more and more intriguing by the hour!

“Move all!”

This time Lady Hewett was stuck on her husband’s lap and Lady Hodge was eliminated. Hudson glanced over to where Emma sat, leaning slightly forward and waiting for Lady Linden’s word. In fact, he was so distracted that when Lady Linden called for them to move all, he almost tripped and found himself without a chair. With a wicked intent, he rushed over to Emma and gently lowered himself onto her lap, grinning at Lady Linden.

“My! We have a zealous participant! I’ll grant you amnesty just this once for your bold move, Lord Daventry. But you’ll not receive my favor again!” Lady Linden called out.

Hewett groaned and Hudson turned to find Emma’s wide eyes staring at him.

“I thank you for saving me.” Hudson leaned down and batted his eyelashes as if a lady.

Emma gave a small smile and lowered her chin. “A pleasure, my lady. You are light as a… feather.” Emma spoke in a deep voice, choking at the end as a giggle erupted.

“Move all!” Lady Linden’s voice called out.

Hudson sprung up and sat in a chair, smirking when Hewett found himself without a place to go. He turned to his wife but Lady Linden shook her head.

“I only granted favor once. You are eliminated, Lord Hewett!” She called with fanfare.

“Move all!”

Lady Hewett was eliminated next, leaving only Hudson, Lord Longton, and Emma.

“Move all!”

Hudson reached the chair first and then reached out to grasp Emma’s waist, effectively causing her to fall onto his lap. She glanced back at him with a surprised expression before she chuckled.

“Simply returning the favor, my lady.” Hudson smiled then winked.

“You are most kind.” Emma teased.

“Move all!”

Hudson rushed across the room to the other chair and made it, but saw that Lord Longton had garnered the other seat, eliminating Emma.

“We have two gentlemen at the end. And because I am a gracious hostess. I shall grant them both the favor!”

People clapped and Hudson stood to shake Lord Longton’s hand.

“Gentlemen, you may request one favor from any of the guests, any favor without causing a scandal of course!” Lady Linden added but the twinkle in her eye belied her words.

Favor indeed. Hudson could think of few thousand favors he could beg of Emma. He would use his favor well. Glancing to Emma she blushed and glanced down, as if following his train of thought. Hudson smiled then turned his attention to Lord Longton who was also grinning like a fool. He followed his gaze and saw him watching Lady Hodge. Indeed this party was beyond fascinating!

Chapter Ten

“It’s hard to believe it rained yesterday!” Emma commented as she and Sadie took a walk around Lady Linden’s gardens. The air was fragrant and clean, not a cloud hindered the sun’s rays from warming Emma’s skin and even the birdsong seemed more joyful.

“I was thinking the very same thing,” Sadie said but her eyes kept wandering toward a row of hedges.

“What are you looking for? Or should I say
whom
?” Emma asked as she gazed past her sister and studied the shrubbery.

“Nothing. No one.” Sadie’s gaze shot to Emma then to the path in front of them.

“It certainly doesn’t seem like nothing.” Emma took a few steps then glanced back over to where Sadie’s attention had strayed. Just emerging from a taller row of hedge was Lord Longton. Emma watched him for a moment then turned her gaze to her sister. Sadie gaze was directed toward him as well.