The Demure Debutante - a Regency Novella (7 page)

“I
do
love it out here!” Willow declared. “Although, if I was alone, I would be riding much faster than this!”

“If I was alone, I would probably be riding much slower,” Edward said with a chuckle. “I am not the most skilled r-r-rider.”

Willow leaned across her horse and pinched Edward's arm. His stammer had greatly improved, but she was starting to doubt it would ever disappear.

“I'm glad you haven't given up on me, Willow,” Edward said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean... you haven't chalked me up as a hopeless case! I'm still stuttering, and you're still pinching. I'm glad you haven't lost your patience with me.”

“Never! I would only stop pinching you if you asked me to.”

“And that will never happen!” Edward grinned at her. “I have already confessed that I secretly enjoy your pinches.”

“And I secretly enjoy your stammer,” Willow admitted. “I think it's quite cute, actually. And charming. And adorable. It makes me want to pinch your cheeks and cradle you in my arms!”

Edward chuckled. “Careful, Willow. If I start thinking you enjoy it that much, you'll make me regress!”

“Even if you overcome it completely, Edward, you can rest assured... I will still want to hold you and cradle you forever! As adorable as you are, you're simply impossible to resist!”

They rode beyond the brook and into the trees, where a cacophony of bird song enlivened their journey. For the duration of their ride, Emilia and Arthur were forced to endure the couple's flirtatious banter. Emilia closed her eyes and tried to drown them out. The more she listened to them, the more her blatant lack of love was painfully felt. However, as much as she envied them, she was happy her brother had been so blessed.

When she opened her eyes, she tried to steal another glimpse of Arthur. As handsome as he was, staring at him was a difficult temptation to resist. Alas, he was nowhere to be found.

Where did he go?!

“Um... Willow?”

But Willow did not hear her. Either that, or she was too busy tousling Edward's hair.

“WILLOW!” Emilia shouted, which seemed to do the trick. She finally seized the widow's attention away from Edward.

“What is it, Emilia?”

“Your brother,” Emilia was careful not to sound too panicked. “He's gone.”

“Gone?!” Willow's head swiveled in every direction, desperately seeking her brother. “Did he wander off?! Why on earth...”

“I don't know,” Emilia said. “My eyes were closed for a moment... the next time I opened them, he was gone.”

“Arthur!” Willow shouted, though perhaps a bit too loudly, because her horse reared slightly. “Arthur, where are you?!”

They waited for a response, but none came.

“What if something happened to him?” Emilia asked. “What if he got lost? What if he wandered off an got attacked by highwaymen?!”

Willow chuckled at the prospect. “I think it's highly unlikely that he got lost
or
attacked. Trust me, Arthur can take care of himself. I wouldn't be too alarmed... I'm sure he'll turn up eventually.”

Emilia nervously chewed her lip. “Shouldn't we go looking for him?!”

“Don't worry, Emilia. He'll find his way back. I promise.”

Emilia brought her horse to a halt. She didn't feel comfortable soldiering on when a member of their entourage had vanished. “Wait. Willow... can we wait here for a moment? What if he's looking for us?”

Willow turned her horse and headed back to Emilia, so Edward followed suit. “Very well,” Willow said. “We can wait for a moment, if it would make you feel better.”

“Arthur!” Emilia shrieked. “Mr. Rochefort, are you alright?!”

“
Quite alright
!” Emilia's heart swelled when she heard his reply. “
Wait right there... I'll be returning shortly.”

A few seconds later, when Emilia saw Arthur weaving his way through the forest, she was simultaneously filled with relief and frustration. How dare he make her worry about him?! If she was a braver woman, she would have given him the tongue-lashing of his life!

“Where did you go, Arthur?!” Willow hollered at him.

“The field of wildflowers.” As he drew near, Emilia could see a fistful of flowers in his hand. When he held them out to her, Emilia's heart was momentarily frozen. “Here. These are for you, Emilia.”

“I--”

“The other day, you said you lost your flowers,” Arthur explained. “I remembered... so I wanted to get some for you.”

As she took the flowers from his hand, Emilia swore her heart was trying to beat its way out of her chest. “Thank you, Arthur. I will... treasure them.” Emilia studied the flowers with tears in her eyes. There were several sunflowers, as if he somehow knew those were her favorite. Her cheeks were flaming hot; she could only hope they hadn't changed color.

“Do you like them?” Arthur asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

“I do. Very much.”

As soon as their journey resumed, Willow rode alongside her brother. When he saw her shaking her head at him, he asked, “Is something wrong?”

“
Flowers
, Arthur?!” Willow hissed at him. She kept her voice low, so that only her brother could hear her. “What are you playing at? I thought you didn't care for the girl?”

“I
do
care for her,” Arthur whispered. “Of course I do.”

“I meant.. in a romantic sense,” Willow explained. “I thought she was like a sister to you?”

“She is, in a way.”

“Then you shouldn't be giving her flowers! Don't you understand?!” Willow shook her head at him. “Showing up with a handful of flowers is a romantic gesture... and the poor girl already cares for you a great deal. You need better judgment, or she's liable to get the wrong idea!”

Chapter Nine

They had already been to the modiste, and now they were on their way to the milliner. Arthur was suffering, though he tried not to show it. He had seen enough lace and flounce and fripperies to last a lifetime.

“So, Willow, remind me again...” Arthur began, “why wasn't Edward forced to come?”

“Because I want my wedding day appearance to be a surprise!” Willow seized her brother's arm and dragged him across the street. Her other arm was coiled around Emilia, her treasured companion of the day. Willow had been spoiling the girl with dresses and jewelry. Emilia was supposed to wear to them at the wedding—which was now only two days away. “When he sees me walking down the aisle, I want to take his breath away!”

“You mean, like you're taking
my
breath away?” Arthur teased her. “You sampled so many perfumes, you smell like a botanical garden.”

“That doesn't sound like a bad thing. I love floral scents!” As Willow tugged her brother into the hat shop, Emilia flashed him a sympathetic frown. She knew he was miserable. Being surrounded in ladies' fashions was surely a gentleman's nightmare! “Will you help me choose a hat, Emilia? I am sure I will not wear it during the ceremony, but I can never resist the temptation to buy myself a hat!”

“I suppose I can give you my opinion,” Emilia offered.

Willow patted the younger girl's cheek. “Good! And I'll buy you a hat as well! Arthur... wait here. Emilia and I are going to browse.”

Arthur responded with a nod, because a nod was all he could manage. His eyes were fixed on the window, where he caught sight of Brittley Christian. Brittley was hovering around the hat shop, not unlike a wolf would hover around its imminent pray. “I'll have to keep my eye on him...” Arthur whispered to himself. If Brittley attempted to approach Emilia, as Arthur feared he might, he would be there to prevent it.

Several minutes later, Willow returned with a couple of hat boxes, which she handed to her brother. “You'll carry them for us, won't you.” It was more of a demand than a question.

“Of course.” Even though his hands were full, Arthur managed to hold the door for the ladies as they exited the milliner's.

“Where else should we venture, Emilia? I don't think I've quite gotten my fill. The urge to shop has not left my system.”

“Hmm...” Emilia tapped her chin as she glanced around at the neighboring shops. “I wouldn't mind looking at some books.”

“Books.” Willow tried to hide her lack of enthusiasm, but it was written all over her face. “Very well. Lead the way!”

Arthur trailed a few paces behind the ladies. Not only was he carrying their hat boxes, he was carrying
all
of the day's purchases. Willow didn't want her fiance to see what she was buying; nevertheless, Arthur wished the other man was around to share his burden. To make matters worse, he had somehow managed to lose sight of Brittley. “
I'll just have to keep an eye on Emilia now
,” he silently decided.

When they were inside the book store, Arthur asked, “Emilia... would you like me to recommend some of my favorite novels?”

“I would like that, Arthur,” she answered with a smile. “I'd like that very much.”

“Ohhh no no no!” Willow protested. “If I were you, I would not heed his recommendations! Arthur likes moody gothic novels and epic adventures that take
months
to read!”

“Oh, and I suppose you would be the better authority on books, sister?”

“I am!” Willow plucked a copy of
Pride & Prejudice
from the shelves and presented it to Emilia. “I confess I haven't read anything in quite some time, but I would recommend this with all my heart! It makes you believe in the possibility of love.”

“Thank you, Willow. I will most definitely read it.” Emilia clutched the book to her chest and circled around the shelf. Arthur was lured to another section of the store, where he browsed his preferred shelf. He was suddenly so engrossed that he failed to notice Brittley Christian had entered the store.

Brittley stalked Emilia to the corner of the bookstore, where her favorite serials were on display. When she saw him approach, she let out an audible gasp. “Mr. Christian!”

“Shhh!” He held a gloved finger over her lips. “Your guardian has been watching me, so I have to make this quick.”

“My guardian?!”

“Arthur Rochefort,” Brittley exclaimed. “I think he considers himself your protector.”

Emilia clutched her copy of
Pride & Prejudice
even tighter. “And do I need protection from you, Mr. Christian?”

“Of course not. I can be honorable... if I must.” Brittley grabbed her hand and slipped a note into her palm. “I wrote you a letter, in which I describe my innermost passions. Do not read it until you are alone, Emilia.”

“I don't know if I should be accepting letters from a gentleman. It's--”

“Not proper?” Brittley curled her knuckles, forcing her to grip the letter. “You'll read it. I know you will. Your curiosity will get the better of you.”

“Mr. Christian, I--”

Before she could protest, he turned on his heel and swiftly exited the store, careful not to alert Arthur to his presence. Fortunately for Brittley, Arthur was the bookish type. His eyes never wandered from the shelves.

After making a few purchases, Emilia reunited with Arthur and Willow, then they left the store and returned to their carriage. Emilia was silent for the duration of the journey, but she knew there was a telltale blush on her cheeks. She slipped Brittley's note into her reticule and prayed she wouldn't arouse the suspicions of her companions.

As soon as they returned to Sanborne Hall, Emilia alighted from the carriage, grabbed her haul, uttered a curt farewell, and hurried to her room. With a racing heart, she leapt on her bed and tore open Brittley's letter.

Dearest Emilia,

Last night, I dreamt of you. I wish I could close my eyes and return to that world, as wondrous as it was. I know I will lie awake tonight, restless, wishing it was real. Even now, as I write this letter, I find myself daydreaming about my dream.

Now that I have piqued your curiosity, allow me to describe it for you. You were naked in my bed. Every inch of your skin was exposed, ready for my wandering hands to explore. I stroked your silky calves, devoured your lips, suckled your milky skin. I was drunk with passion, intoxicated by the taste of you.

I would go into greater detail, but I am afraid I would only frighten you. I have already said enough, more than I should divulge to a lady. However, I simply could not resist the urge to tell you exactly how I feel. I long for you. You are my passion, my desire, my daily madness. The only thing that could possibly end my pain is to have you.

Have you not wondered what it would be like to lie in my arms, to kiss my lips? Unexplored pleasures await you, my dearest Emilia, and I want to be the man who introduces you to them. Is it not a temptation to have an attentive lover? I could release you from your ordinary life and introduce you to a world of wonder and passion. You need only ask, and I would be yours.

Longing for you,

Brittley Christian

When she finished the letter, Emilia was shaking her head with disbelief. It was the most scandalous thing she had ever read, but it was titillating nonetheless. She was as terrified by it as she was excited.

“Perhaps I should show it to Arthur?” she whispered to herself. “He would protect me from any... unwelcome advances.”

Emilia read the letter a second time, as well as a third time, and then she came to a surprising conclusion.

Brittley's advances would not be entirely unwelcome.

Chapter Ten

It was the happiest day of Willow's life; everything was perfect. It was a modest ceremony, and she wouldn't have had it any other way. Only a dozen friends had gathered at the small country church, the simple stone edifice where the wedding took place. As the vicar joined them in holy matrimony, Willow couldn't stop staring into Edward's eyes. In them, she could see her future, her absolution, her eternity. His love was enough to wash away the sins of her past. After this day, she would truly feel reborn.

Willow wore a white gown of muslin and lace, and a thin gossamer shawl enveloped her shoulders. Edward was dressed to the nines, and he was more handsome than she had ever seen him. As he recited his vows, he didn't stutter a single time, a fact that had Willow beaming with pride.