Ten Ways to Ruin

“Yes, miss.”

“Emma, you must hurry and change before your maid arrives,” Susan said, grabbing the hat off Emma’s head.

“Yes, I had forgotten all about my sister’s invitation tonight.” She prayed it would only be the four of them for dinner. Or Tessa and her family too. Emma had no desire to see Kingsley tonight...or ever again after his behavior in the butler’s pantry. She didn’t want to think about how she had shivered when he touched her. Or how she couldn’t get his lovely sandalwood scent out of her mind.

After assisting Emma in her day dress, Susan left, promising to be here at seven tomorrow. Emma checked her room for any sign of mischief before letting Mary in to help her change into her green striped muslin gown.

“Are you ready to leave yet, Emma?” her mother asked as she entered the room.

“Almost.” Emma watched in the mirror as Mary finished pinning a curl into place.

“There you are, miss.” Mary moved to retrieve the discarded clothing.

“You will need a wrap as the rain has picked up again,” her mother noted. “I will wait for you in the hall.”

Emma grabbed her matching wrap and then followed her mother to the hall. The footman opened the door and then the umbrella to cover each woman as they made their way to the coach.

“What a dreadful evening,” Emma said as she entered the carriage. “Perhaps we should stay home tonight.”

“Of course not,” Mamma said with a frown. “When a duchess invites you to dinner, you attend no matter the weather.”

Except the duchess was her sister, and Emma knew Louisa wouldn’t be offended. But Mamma was still trying to ingratiate herself with Louisa after their falling out before the wedding. “As you wish, Mamma.”

By the time they arrived, the rain had increased into a spring downpour. Emma laughed as she ran into her sister’s home in an attempt to stay dry. She shook off her wrapper and noticed that her skirts were damp.

“Her Grace is waiting for you both in the salon,” Jenkins said, taking the damp wraps from them.

“Thank you, Jenkins,” Emma replied as they walked up the stairs to the family salon.

“Well, there you,” Louisa said with a smile as they entered the room. “Come sit by the fire to get warm and dry.”

Emma let her mother take the chair closest to the fire while she walked to Louisa and held out her arms to hold George. “My, you are getting so big.”

He gurgled as she held him up to her face and then rubbed noses with him. He laughed and reached for her hair.

“Watch out, Emma,” Louisa said with a chuckle. “He has a fascination with hair lately. He is constantly pulling at mine.”

George tugged a small curl.

“I see what you mean,” Emma said, shifting him to her shoulder before pulling the hairs out of his tight fist. “Is Tessa coming tonight?”

“No, she is not feeling well, and with the rain, decided not to attend.”

“Then it’s just the four of us,” Emma said, tilting her head away from George’s curious fingers.

“Not exactly,” Louisa mumbled her reply.

“Oh?”

“Harry invited a few friends for dinner, too.”

Emma closed her eyes for a long moment. “Who else is joining us?”

“Ainsley, Stanton, and, of course, his brothe

r.”

“Ainsley and Stanton?” Emma asked. “Is the duke hoping for a match with one of his friends?” She didn’t bother to comment on Kingsley. This news ruined her entire evening.