If Emma didn’t marry, children were out of the question. She would be compelled to live out her life with Louisa and Harry. As an unmarried woman, she couldn’t own property even if she could make enough money to buy something. Emma didn’t want to be a burden. But after one disastrous engagement, she’d learned what marriage might be like and wanted no part of it.
Once she returned to town, she intended to get back to the items on her list. Even if she still wasn’t convinced about number ten. Perhaps number ten should be to find a position so she would not be a burden. Although finding a position sounded like work, not amusement. Her list was about enjoying herself.
“Are you all well, Emma? You’ve been staring out the window for five minutes without a word.”
“I suppose I am. It is that type of day.”
“Not thinking of Bolton again, are you?”
“No.” She didn’t want to remember the pain he’d caused her. Louisa had tried to gently warn her about Bolton’s regard for his mother over Emma. “I am done thinking about him forever.”
“Good. Bolton was not the right man for you. Can you imagine if you wished to paint in oils with him as your husband? He would have to ask his mother if that was a proper accomplishment for a lady. She would tell him you should stick to needlepoint.”
Emma smiled. “I suppose you’re are correct.”
Louisa glanced out the window and sighed. “I do hope Simon can find some way of comforting Harry.”
“Perhaps Harry will find it easier to speak with his brother, even if Mr. Kingsley didn’t know his natural father.”
Louisa shrugged. “I hope so. Still, Harry and Simon must be chilled to the bone.”
The sound of heavy footsteps hushed them both.
“Are you decent in there, Duchess?”
“One moment, Simon,” Louisa replied. “Hold George for me.”
Emma rose and took the boy out of her sister’s arms, only to have him start crying again.
Louisa smiled over at her son. “Pat his back. He may need to let out a belch.” She adjusted her gown before saying, “Come in now, Simon.”
Kingsley entered the room with a smile until he noticed Emma holding George. His jaw tightened, and his smile disappeared. Emma moved the infant over her shoulder, hoping that would help settle him down. Instead, he now bawled right in her ear.
“Let me take him, Miss Drake.” Kingsley reached out and pulled George up into his arms.
Her dratted nephew stopped crying and smiled at the devil. “How did you do that?”
Louisa laughed. “Don’t be upset, Emma. George does the same thing to me. The minute his uncle picks him up, he stops crying.”
Emma watched as Kingsley rubbed noses with George, which made the infant laugh. Kingsley laid him on a blanket on the floor and then lifted the boy’s clothing, exposing his rounded belly. The man proceeded to make rude noises on George’s tummy, producing loud laughs from the boy.
“Perhaps you should try this, Miss Drake,” Kingsley said as he smiled down at George. “He quite enjoys a good laugh.”
“I will leave that up to his uncle.”
“Do remember, the boy just ate,” Louisa said, staring down at her son with a motherly smile.
George’s hands reached out and caught Kingsley’s nose. The sound of Kingsley’s laugh sent a ripple of warmth through Emma that she didn’t understand. How could a man she disliked affect her so?
“Simon, where is Harry? He usually spends time with Charlotte now.”
Kingsley rose and then picked up George before handing him off to Louisa. “He is changing as I should also do. I didn’t want to waste my opportunity to see my nephew.”
“Your Grace, Lord and Lady Radley are here, as is Lord Ainsley,” a footman said from the threshold.
Emma and Kingsley both stared over at Louisa, who rubbed her temples. “Ask Nurse to come up and take care of George. Tell our guests that I will be there presently.”
“Yes, ma’am.”