Ten Ways to Ruin

Harry sat down across from Emma. “Emma dear, I have been thinking a great deal about your situation of late. I feel that your sister and I may have impacted your ability to find a decent man after Bolton’s rejection. We both feel some responsibility since we assume the jilting was due to our rather talked about courtship. I believe there is only one thing that we can do to assist you. I have decided to settle a dowry of ten thousand pounds on you.”

“Oh, thank the Lord!” her mother exclaimed. “Your Grace, I cannot thank you enough.”

No! She was not about to be sold off to a poor, desperate gentleman. Marriage was nothing but a prison for women. A prison she refused to be locked in.

Emma stared down at her hands. While her brother-in-law believed he was doing the right thing, she felt she was being bartered off. “Thank you, Harry. I truly appreciate your offer...but—”

“But nothing, Emma,” her mother interrupted. “You will accept his generous offer and be thankful that this will give you the opportunity to find a decent husband.”

Because getting Emma married was all that mattered to her mother. Preferably to a gentleman with a title.

“Emma, please accept this from us,” Louisa implored. “I know Bolton jilted you because of the talk from our marriage.”

“It was the excuse his mother needed to separate us. Besides, I had already decided I wouldn’t marry him,” Emma lied. “I should have called it off before he did. Then the repercussions would have been lessened.”

The pain of his betrayal returned with the mention of his name. She had given her heart to him, only to see his mother break it into pieces. Putting the blame solely on Lady Bolton was far from fair. Bolton had been a spineless ninny, and she should have noticed that trait long before she had. Emma had learned her lesson.

No man would touch her heart again.

She would live her life as she desired. Completing her list became a mission instead of an amusement. She would finish every item on her list, including the elusive number 10. Then she would consider her future.

But for now, let the ruination begin.

“We want to do this for you,” Louisa added. “I want you to find a man to love as both Tessa and I were able to do.”

Emma nodded with a feigned smile. “I understand.” She looked over at Harry, who gave her a kind look. Unable to hurt their feelings, she said, “Thank you, Harry. You are most generous.”

Her sisters left not long after to pay some calls on people. Her mother raced off to call upon Lady Huntley and tell her the news of Harry’s generous gift. Once Lady Huntley learned of the marriage settlement, the entire ton would hear of it in a matter of days. Then all the impoverished lords would be knocking on her door.

&nbs

p; A light rap on her bedchamber gave her a start. “Yes?”

“Miss Drake, Lord Ainsley is here,” a footman said from the corridor.

Speaking of impoverished lords. She’d forgotten he told her that he would pay a call on her. Had he learned the news of her hefty dowry already? He was a friend of Harry’s, so Ainsley might have been privy to the information even before her. It might have prompted the dance at Lady Leicester’s ball and the call today.

As much as Emma would have preferred to refuse him, Ainsley was a lovely man. She could afford him the standard fifteen-minute call.

“Thank you, and please bring tea to the salon.”

“Of course, miss.”

Emma strolled down to the salon, where Ainsley stood staring out the window. He turned when she walked into the room.

“Good afternoon, Miss Drake. How lovely you look today.” He gave her a quick bow.

“Thank you, my lord. I have called for tea.”

“Excellent.” He waited for her to sit before taking a chair across from her. “Did you enjoy Lady Leicester’s ball the other night?”

Not terribly, but she couldn’t say that. “Yes, her parties are always quite enjoyable.”

“Yes.”

They both fell silent for a long moment. The silence was soon broken by the footman bringing in the tea. As he departed, Emma reached for her cup.

“How do you like your tea, my lord?”