Page 20 of The Mister I Married

A knock at the door interrupted the silence, and Emmy’s heart stopped, her gaze flying to the clock.

Noon.

He was here.

“A caller has arrived to see you, Lady Emmaline,” Winters said as he entered the room. “A Mr. Alexander Whitcomb.”

“Thank you, Winters,” Lady Keswick said. “You may show him in.”

Gulping down her rising nerves, Emmy rose to her feet, only half-aware of her mother doing the same beside her.

“Breathe, darling,” Lady Keswick whispered. “You look as though you are about to swoon.”

Emmy blanched and shoved back her shoulders. Gads, she was not the sort of girl who swooned. “Thank you, Mother,” she whispered back.

Alex walked into the room then, looking much too handsome in his burgundy day coat and smoke gray trousers. A polite smile curled his lips as he strode toward them, though his curiosity was palpable.

“Mr. Whitcomb,” Lady Keswick said smoothly. “How lovely to see you again.”

“Lady Keswick. Lady Emmaline.” He sketched a bow. “Good afternoon to you.”

“Please do sit,” Emmy’s mother said as she perched on the sofa. “Shall I ring for tea?”

Emmy cleared her throat loudly as she sat down beside her, an unsubtle hint, perhaps, but then she had never been very good with subtlety.

“Ah. Right.” Lady Keswick rose to her feet again. “I’ve just remembered, I already rang for tea. Excuse me, Mr. Whitcomb, while I go and see what is keeping Mary.”

Alex, who had also risen to his feet again, offered her a confused smile, and said, “Of course, my lady.”

“I shall return shortly,” Lady Keswick said, shooting Emmy a pointed look before she left them, pulling the door closed behind her.

Silence settled over the room as Emmy and Alex reclaimed their seats. She met his gaze from across the sofa table and offered a welcoming smile, though she was fairly certain it looked more queasy than kindly.

Nervously, she licked her lips and delved deep for the courage to press on.

You can do this. You will do this.

“Thank you for coming,” she forced out, folding her hands in her lap to keep from fidgeting. “I’m sure you must be curious to learn why it is I’ve asked you here today.”

Alex nodded, a smile curling up one corner of his mouth. “I admit, I am.”

“Right. Of course.” She cleared her throat and forced herself to stay seated, though her feet were positively itching to pace the room.

Be calm and spit it out, Emmy.

“My mother has just shared some news with me,” she began. “Some very unexpected news which has forced me to think of my future.”

Alex’s brows rose but he said nothing.

“After this Season has ended, she will retire to our home in the country and will no longer be able to act as my chaperone. Therefore, I am left with two options. I can either go with her, or I can marry, which will allow me to chaperone myself.”

“I see,” Alex said, his expression one of polite interest, though anyone could see that he did not see at all.

Emmy drew in a breath, filling her lungs as much as she could manage with her heart galloping in her chest, and on her exhale, she said, “I have decided to take a husband, which is why I have asked you here today. You need a wife, and I need a husband, and I think we ought to marry…”

Alex stared at her, unblinking, unmoving.

“Each other,” she finished lamely. “If that was not clear.”