Intertwine (23 page)

“Arthur,” she breathed, her entire heart in her eyes. Quickly masking her tone of familiarity, she continued, “I mean, Mr. Knight. How delighted I am you should all call.”

She gestured for them to follow her into the room and be seated. Emme and Georgiana sat in a pair of matching chairs, while Marianne and Arthur situated themselves together on a settee opposite, carefully ensuring their bodies were an appropriate distance apart. But Emme noticed Marianne let her hand rest on the cushioned seat in such a way that Arthur could casually rest his own against it. They sat staring intently at each other, exchanging emotionally laden glances. No one said anything for a handful of moments.

Emme sighed. Why had Georgiana capitulated and allowed Arthur to accompany them instead of going with James to visit their solicitor?

“I trust you are well this morning, Miss Linwood?” Georgiana asked politely, trying to draw her friend’s eye away from her brother.

“Oh yes, very well indeed, now that you have come.” That last bit said while letting her eyes draw sideways to Arthur. He was no better, gazing at Marianne with unabashed longing. Marianne shifted, managing to move herself a little closer to her beloved.

Wait, did she just curl her pinky finger around his?
Alter Emme asked.

Indeed, she had.

Good for her,
Alter Emme said approvingly.

They continued with small talk for a few minutes, Georgiana answering inquiries after her health (much improved) and the weather (beautiful since that terrible storm on Beltane).

“Oh, I have such news,” Marianne said suddenly. “My brother has commissioned Mr. Spunto to paint my portrait. You know, the Italian miniaturist? He has been in the area since last year, but Lady Jenkins—not the elder, but the younger Lady Jenkins with twelve children who lives near Worcester—has kept poor Mr. Spunto quite busy this year. But now he is coming to Marfield, and Timothy says I shall have my portrait done. I thought to mention it to you, my dear Miss Knight, as perhaps yourself and your brothers would like to have your portraits done as well.”

Marianne blushed rosily and then gave Arthur a decidedly pointed look.

“That is an excellent idea, Miss Linwood,” Arthur breathed, his eyes drinking in her face. “I am sure James will agree. I shall have our man of business contact Mr. Spunto. It has been several years since we have had our portraits taken. I appreciate your suggestion.”

“How delightful!” Marianne exclaimed.

“I could not agree more,” Arthur murmured, never once taking his gaze off of Marianne, who again blushed prettily and moved her hand more fully into his, gently squeezing his fingers.

Suddenly, someone loudly cleared his throat from behind Emme and Georgiana. Startled, Emme watched Arthur instantly release Marianne’s hand and jump to his feet, staring anxiously at whomever was behind them.

There really was only one option.

Emme and Georgiana also rose, though more slowly, turning to see Lord Linwood standing in all his glory. Or at least, that was how Alter Emme snarkily described him. Linwood stood looking urbane in a black coat, silver-threaded waistcoat and elaborately tied neckcloth. If nothing else, the man did have an excellent tailor. He nodded his head in greeting.

Linwood’s eyes flitted to Emme, lingering for just a moment. Again, she saw something unexpected there. Something that assessed her. Something that looked suspiciously like interest.

Dude! Did he just check you out?
Alter Emme sounded aghast.

Ignoring her inner alter voice, Emme followed Georgiana’s lead and curtsied to the viscount who stared them down with his haughty gaze.

Chapter 18

L
ord Linwood, what a pleasure,” Georgiana murmured, raising her head.

“Timothy, how lovely for you to join us,” Marianne said with a faint smile, ignoring the tension that had followed her brother into the room. “Mr. Knight was just stating he and Miss Knight will engage the services of Mr. Spunto to paint their portraits as well. Isn’t that delightful?” She forced her smile wider as they all sat back down, Arthur putting as much distance as possible between himself and his not-betrothed. Marianne gave Arthur a pained look, obviously not happy about the sudden space between them.

“Indeed. Delightful,” Lord Linwood intoned dryly, communicating the exact opposite of his words.

He moved to take a seat in front of the fireplace, facing them all. His body language stated he intended to protect his sister from any unwanted influences.

Silence hung in the room.

Drawing in a deep breath, Marianne turned back to Emme and Georgiana with a shuttered expression. Emme felt momentarily puzzled. Was Marianne annoyed?

“Do you read much, Miss Emma?” she asked politely, trying to put her guests at ease despite her brother’s chilling presence and her own frustration.

“Oh yes, Miss Linwood, I enjoy reading very much.” Emme watched Marianne squirm under her brother’s watchful eye, trying to curtail her longing looks toward Arthur.

With only marginal success.

She kept her head toward Emme, but every other word was punctuated by a sidelong glance at Arthur. “Have you read the latest book [
glance]
by the author of
Sense and Sensibility
? [
long look]
I believe it is called [
pining stare]
Pride and Prejudice.
I just finished it and found it a delightful read.”

“Yes,” Georgiana agreed, studiously ignoring Marianne’s longing glances, “it was a lovely read.”

Emme felt relief. Here was a question she could answer. “How wonderful you both have read it. I so love
Pride and Prejudice
. It is my favorite of Austen’s works.”

For some reason, Emme’s attempt at small talk brought the room to attention.

“Austen?” Georgiana questioned.

“Indeed, who is this Austen?” Marianne looked confused.

“Jane Austen . . . the author of
Sense and Sensibility
and
Pride and Prejudice
.”

Everyone stared at her, even Lord Linwood, his eyes again looking her up and down, unsettling.

“I’m sorry, am I yet again missing something?” Emme asked, noting the resigned tone of her voice.

“How remarkable!”

This came from Marianne. She had managed to drag her gaze from Arthur and now regarded Emme with wide eyes.

“I was unaware the identity of the author of
Pride and Prejudice
had been made public. Both books have been published anonymously, merely being attributed to being written ‘by a lady.’ You actually know the lady’s identity?” Georgiana asked.

“I cannot say.” Emme frowned in confusion. The information had just sprung free from her brain. She searched her mind trying to place a face with the name Jane Austen but came up with nothing. As usual. “I cannot say if I know her or not. It’s just the name that came to mind when you mentioned the books. But I do clearly remember
Pride and Prejudice
. It seems I find Mr. Darcy somewhat lacking as a romantic hero.”

“What?!” Miss Marianne looked outraged.

“Lacking? Mr. Darcy? But he is so amiable.” Georgiana was clearly scandalized.

“With all due respect, I must disagree. Lizzy is bright and utterly charming, but aside from his great wealth, Mr. Darcy has little else to recommend him. All the advantage in the match is on her side. He merely sits stiffly, says little and, quite frankly, I find him utterly boring.” Emme only barely managed to avoid giving Lord Linwood a pointed look. However, she did see him stiffen slightly out of the corner of her eye, so perhaps her meaning had not been entirely lost on him.

Nice.

“Have you been talking to James, Emma?” Georgiana pursed her mouth. “Because he says the same thing, but I had thought he just wished to vex me!”

“Really?” Emme raised an eyebrow.

Miss Marianne’s eyes opened even wider. “Mr. James Knight has read the book then? How extraordinary.”

“Yes, indeed he has, Miss Linwood. I am afraid I insisted, and James is usually kind enough to humor my whims. Though I must deal with his opinions after the fact.” Georgiana smiled somewhat ruefully.

“Good heavens!” Lord Linwood interjected with an ungentlemanly snort. “I cannot believe Knight would actually read such sentimental drivel.”

“Yes, well, Lord Linwood, we cannot all live to your fastidious standards,” Georgiana said quietly.

The room went instantly still.

Lord Linwood turned his head with deliberate exactness and fixed Georgiana with a chilly stare. She blushed a deep pink but didn’t break under his scrutiny.

I knew I liked her,
Alter Emme said approvingly.

“Indeed, Miss Knight. When it comes to your eldest brother, that is quite obvious.” Lord Linwood kept his tone austerely cool and distant. Georgiana blushed even deeper but did not lower her eyes.

Lord Linwood blinked as if considering a multitude of comments but deciding against them. Emme felt a small sense of surprise at his restraint.

Instead, he merely sat back stiffly.

Finally, after a decidedly awkward silence, he said, “Perhaps we have kept you too long. I fear you being knocked up if you remain too long, Miss Knight.”

Uhmmm, say what?
Alter Emme choked.

Emme blinked. That couldn’t mean what she thought it did.

Alter Emme started to giggle.

“Do you think, Timothy?” Marianne asked, looking with concern at Georgiana. “I had thought Miss Knight’s color to be greatly improved today. Do you feel tired, Miss Knight?”

“I am feeling better of late, Miss Linwood, thank you. Not nearly as fatigued.”

“Yes, Georgiana has been much improved,” Arthur agreed. “Though, she was quite knocked up after visiting the vicar last week.”

Alter Emme went from giggle to full on rollicking laughter.
Oh, . . . he’s making it worse,
she snorted.

Emme’s lips twitched. She viciously tried to swallow back her amusement.

“Indeed, it would not do for her to be knocked up today, as well,” Lord Linwood continued.

He’s got to stop. . . . I swear I’m going to pee my pants. . . . Wait, you’re not wearing any!

Emme felt a chuckle escape her.

Really, how could she help it?

Lord Linwood turned to her, cocking a decidedly not-amused eyebrow.

Emme forcefully pinched her lips together.

“Are you laughing, Miss Emma?” Lord Linwood’s voice dripped with disdain. “I fail to see the humor in Miss Knight’s being knocked up.”

Which really was just the wrong thing to say.

Emme collapsed into full blown laughter.

Oh, oh, oh . . . can’t . . . breathe . . . ,
Alter Emme chortled.

“I’m . . . so . . . sorry,” Emme managed to gasp, trying desperately to stop. But the harder she tried to stifle her laughter, the more forcefully it came.

“Are you quite all right?” Georgiana asked, touching Emme’s arm with a concerned hand.

Emme folded over in her seat, hand covering her mouth, heroically trying to stuff her mirth back inside.

Without much success.

“Perhaps she got a touch of sun,” Arthur suggested. “Though riding in a carriage is usually not enough to knock one up so.”

Please . . . make . . . them . . . stop!
Alter Emme choked.

Doubled over in her chair, Emme laughed until her sides ached. She dug for her handkerchief, trying to wipe the tears from her face.

“Perhaps we should take our leave,” Georgiana said, a small smile hovering on her lips as she helped Emme to her feet and curtsied politely.

Emme walked with her out the door, laughing the whole way.