am so glad you decided to let me go with you, Emma," Belle said excitedly.

"I have a feeling I'm going to live to regret it," Emma responded. She and her cousin were sitting in the Blydons

well-sprung carriage on their way to return the earrings that Sophie had pressed into Emma's hands the day before.

"Nonsense," Belle said offhandedly. "Besides, you might need me. What if you don't know what to say?"

"I'm sure I'll think of something appropriate."

"What if Sophie doesn't know what to say?"

"Now, that's unlikely." Emma said wryly. She glanced down at the diamond and emerald earrings in her gloved hand.

"Too bad," she said with a slight grimace.

"What?"

"These are awfully nice earrings."

The carriage came to a halt in front of Sophie's elegant townhouse. The two young women alighted and quickly ascended the stone steps leading to the front door. Emma gave the door a decisive knock. It was opened within seconds, and Emma was

treated to the sight of Sophie's comically thin, excruciatingly imperious butler. It has often been noted that butlers are far more discerning than their employers, and Graves was certainly no exception. No one would enter the earl and countess of Wilding's home until he deemed them suitable. He stared down at Emma and Belle, black eyes sharp, and said simply, "Yes?"

Belle offered the man her calling card. "Is Lady Wilding receiving?" she inquired sharply, matching the butler's supercilious stare.

"Perhaps."

Emma nearly laughed as she watched her cousin's jaw clench. Belle plodded on. "Would you please tell her that Lady Arabella Blydon is here to see her?"

Graves's eyebrows rose slightly. "Unless my eyesight fails me, which, incidentally, it never does, there appear to be two people

on the doorstep."

Belle's chin rose slightly as she ground out, "This is my cousin, Miss Emma Dunster."

"Of course," Graves said accommodatingly. "Allow me to show you to the yellow parlor." He ushered them in to one of

Sophie's sitting rooms, his feet moving silently across the Aubus-son carpet.

"Good Lord," Belle muttered as soon as the butler was out of earshot. "I'm sure I've been here at least thirty times, and

I still get grilled on the doorstep."

"He's obviously very devoted to his employers. You should probably try to hire him yourself," Emma laughed.

"Are you joking? I'd probably have to get references just to get into my own home."

"Belle, darling!" shrilled Sophie, sailing into the room in a lovely bottle green morning dress that complimented her eyes.

She seemed not to notice Emma standing quietly in the corner as she rushed to kiss Belle on the cheek. "I'm so sorry

I couldn't make it to your fete. I heard it was spectacular."

"Yes, it was," Belle demurred.

"My brother even went," Sophie said incredulously. "That's a first. Now where is your lovely cousin I've been hearing

so much about?"

"She's right behind you."

Sophie whirled around. "I am so pleased to—oh, my God."

Emma smiled sheepishly. "I imagine you're a little surprised."

Sophie opened her mouth, closed it, and then opened it again to say, "Oh, my God."

"Well, perhaps you're a lot surprised," Emma amended.

"Oh, my God."

Belle moved to Emma's side. "I didn't think it was possible," she whispered, "but Sophie really doesn't know what to say."

"This is where you were supposed to jump in and smooth things over," Emma reminded her.

"I certainly don't know what to say." Belle grinned.

Sophie took a step forward. "But—you—yesterday—"

Emma took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I had borrowed my maid's frock yesterday."

"Whatever for?" Sophie was slowly regaining the use of her rather extensive vocal prowess.

"That's actually something of a long story."

"It is?" Belle asked.

Emma gave her cousin a cutting glare. "Well, if it isn't exactly long, it's kind of complicated."

"Oh?" asked Sophie, eyes wide with interest. "Then I definitely want to hear all about it."

"Actually, it isn't even all that complicated," Belle mused.

Emma managed to poke her troublesome cousin in the side as she quickly explained how they were trying to avoid

Lady Caroline's preparations for the party. "It was either the kitchens or flower arrangements." she concluded.

"A perfectly dreadful fate." Sophie agreed. "However, I can't imagine what Caroline had to say about your adventure."

"The thing is," Emma said meaningfully, "I can't imagine either." She and Belle turned to Sophie with identical nervous smiles pasted to their faces.

"Ohhhh." Sophie breathed, nodding slowly. "I see. Well, you can certainly be assured of my silence. It's the least I can do

after you saved Charlie's life. As I said, I'll be forever in your debt."

Emma quickly produced Sophie's stunning emerald and diamond earrings. "So you see," she explained, "considering my true circumstances, I couldn't possibly accept these earrings. Please take them back. They so suit your green eyes."

Sophie's eyes welled with unshed tears. "But I would so like you to have them. They're only trinkets compared with my son."

"I think Emma would feel uncomfortable," Belle said softly.

Sophie looked back and forth between the cousins, her gaze finally resting on Emma. "I do want to give you something in thanks."

"Your friendship will be more than enough." Emma's voice was quiet and deep with emotion, for she knew that Sophie would prove to be a true and loyal friend despite her rather unnerving brother.

Sophie took both of Emma's hands into her own. "That you will have always." And then, as if that wasn't enough, she suddenly

let go of Emma's hands and embraced her in a warm hug. "Oh! Where are my manners?" Sophie suddenly exclaimed. "Please

sit down," she said, motioning toward the golden-hued sofas. Emma and Belle smiled as they made themselves comfortable.

"Now, let's get down to what's really important." Sophie said emphatically. "Gossip. I want to hear everything about last night."

"It was marvelous," Belle exclaimed. "I tell you, if Mama wanted to show the ton that she considered Emma as dear as

a daughter she surely succeeded. She introduced her to absolutely everyone."

"How exciting for you," Sophie commented.

Emma murmured her agreement.

"But also how wearying," Sophie added more sympathetically.

"Oh yes." Emma nodded.

"And everyone was there, simply everyone," Belle continued. "Except you, of course. As you know, even your brother made

an appearance. Everyone was incredibly surprised. People couldn't stop talking about it."

"Yes, I too was a bit surprised—" Sophie began. And then she suddenly remembered that her brother had been with her the

day before, and, whipping her head around to face Emma, she exclaimed, "Oh my goodness! Whatever did you say?

Whatever did he say?"

"Actually, I think I said something along the lines of 'How do you do?'"

"After he kissed her hand for twice as long as is proper," Belle added excitedly. "Once people finally stopped talking about

how shocked they were at his appearance, they couldn't stop talking about the way he was pursuing Emma."

"Really, Belle," Emma said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I think he was just poking fun at me. He seemed a little upset that he

had been so surprised by my true identity. I imagine he likes to feel that he's in command of every situation."

'That's for certain." Sophie grumbled. "Imagine being related to him."

Emma found that prospect rather unsettling. "Anyway, he really wasn't paying me that much attention. I didn't think he did anything untoward."

Belle snorted in a most unladylike manner. "Really, Emma, your face was the same color as your hair when you were

dancing with him. You were either extremely embarrassed or extremely angry."

Emma shrugged her shoulders, preferring to let Sophie and Belle draw their own conclusions. "I'm sure that's all over and

done with. Pardon me for saying so, Sophie, but if your brother is anything like his reputation—which was described to me

in excruciating detail—I don't imagine I'll be running into him at many more events."

"Pity," Sophie said softly, the matchmaker's gleam sparking in her eyes.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing at all. Would you like some tea?" Sophie said quickly, ringing for a maid. She'd been nagging Alex to settle down

for years now, and in Emma Dunster she'd found her most promising possibility for success. Emma was strikingly attractive, obviously intelligent, and a genuinely nice person. And most importantly for anyone who was about to get paired up with Alexander Ridgely, duke of Ashbourne, she was very, very brave. Sophie decided she couldn't have dreamed up a better sister-in-law. Emma's sharp tongue would serve her well, too. Alex needed a woman who wouldn't scurry to do his bidding

every time he started acting in his domineering manner, which, Sophie had to admit, was most of the time.

"Please do tell me more about your ball/' Sophie continued, eager to prolong the visit now that she'd decided she and Emma

would soon be related. A servant brought in tea and biscuits, and Sophie quickly got to the job of serving.

"I did get cornered by Lady Summerton," Emma laughed.

Belle joined in. "Lady Summerton is the only person I know who can corner five people at once."

"What a silly woman," Sophie commented. "I think she means well, but she does prattle on."

Emma and Belle both shot Sophie looks of mock accusation. Sophie's eyes opened wide and then she laughed. "Oh, I know

that I go on almost as much as she does, but at least I'm usually interesting!" With that all three women dissolved into spasms

of laughter.

As their laughter began to die down, their cozy threesome was interrupted by a very loud and very angry male voice.

"For Christ's sake, Graves, I swear to God I am going to hang you on that coat rack if you don't let me through."

"Oh dear," Sophie murmured. "I really must scold Graves, but I just haven't the heart. He so loves to interrogate."

"No, I will not give my calling card to a butler who has received me at least five hundred times!" Emma didn't think it

was possible, but Alex's voice had actually grown louder.

Sophie looked a little sheepish. "I suppose I ought to go out there, but I do so enjoy it when Alex gets annoyed."

Emma was quick to agree.

"Graves, if you value your life, you will get out of my way immediately!" Alex's voice had suddenly taken on a dangerously

low tone.

Emma, Belle, and Sophie winced as they saw Graves practically fly by the doorway of the yellow salon in his eagerness to

escape Alex's wrath. When Alex walked in, he was looking over his shoulder at the fast-disappearing butler and didn't even

notice that Sophie had guests. "For God's sake, Soph, I'm your brother. Don't you think you can call off your attack dog?"

"He's a little overprotective now that Oliver is away, you know."

"I'll say." Alex finally turned around and noticed that there were three women in the room. He quickly swept his eyes over

them, taking in their comfortable position. As his gaze settled on Emma, she lifted her teacup to her lips and took a sip.

"My, my," he drawled, "aren't we the best of friends?"

All three women shot him irritated glances. Alex looked a trifle disgruntled at their collective unfavorable response to

his presence.

"Don't be tedious, Alex," Sophie said flatly. "I'm entertaining guests. If you're going to be insulting, you can come back later."

"What a welcome," he grumbled as he flopped down inelegantly into a chair opposite Emma and Belle.

"I stopped by to return your sister's earrings, your grace," Emma said.

"I thought I told you to stop 'your graceing' me, Emma." Both Belle and Sophie raised their eyebrows at his bold use of

Emma's first name.

"Oh, very well," Emma retorted. "I shan't call you anything, then."

Sophie watched the telltale clench of her brother's jaw and somehow managed to stifle what would have been a rather

boisterous laugh. "Tea, Alex?" she said sweetly.

"I don't drink tea," he responded sharply.

"Right, of course. I forgot that men such as you don't drink such a silly beverage as tea."

"I would love another cup," Emma said with a smile.

"I wouldn't mind some more either," Belle added.

Alex wondered when the women of the world had united against him.

"I suppose we'll have to ring for another pot," Sophie decided. "Would you like some coffee, Alex?"

"I'd prefer whiskey."

"Don't you think it's a little early for that?"

Alex looked from his sister to Emma to Belle. All three looked back at him with deceptively serene expressions.

"Actually," he commented, "I don't think there has ever been a better time for whiskey."

"As you wish."

Alex rose and walked across the room to the cabinet where his sister stored liquor. He pulled out a bottle of whiskey and

poured himself a large glass. "Sophie, I had come to inform you of the true identity of our mysterious 'Meg' but I see that

she has already beaten me to the task." He fixed his gaze on Emma. "What, I wonder, can your cousin think of your frolics?"

"Her cousin was a part of her frolics," Belle piped up.

Alex turned to give Belle his fiercest scowl. Emma took advantage of his distraction to surreptitiously examine him. As he

leaned lazily against the wall, swirling his whiskey, he seemed unusually large and unbearably masculine in Sophie's delicately decorated parlor. His superbly tailored clothes barely contained the raw power of the man. How, she wondered, could one

man simultaneously provoke such desire and antagonism in her? At least she assumed it was desire. She'd certainly never

before felt anything like the strange fluttering in her abdomen and the wild beating of her heart. Yet even as his mere presence sent her traitorous body reeling into confused longing, his insolence and domineering attitude enraged her, and she ached to let

him know just what she thought of him.

Unfortunately, right then what she thought of him was that he was terribly good-looking. Emma grimaced and decided she'd

better keep her eyes on Sophie and Belle. Her cousin was doing her best to ignore Alex's scowl, turning to Sophie and asking, "Are you planning to hide yourself from the ton for the duration of your husband's trip to the West Indies or will we see you tonight at the Southburys' ball?"

"I had been contemplating retiring to the country, but I find that I've changed my mind. Town life suddenly promises to be

terribly interesting this season. Although I don't imagine I'll be able to go out in another few months." Sophie smiled shyly.

"Oh, Sophie! Are you—?" Belle seemed quite unable to utter the word "pregnant" in the company of a man. Sophie nodded vigorously, her face radiant with joy. "I am so happy for you!" Belle continued. "But how difficult for you with your husband gone."

"Yes, Oliver doesn't even know he's about to become a father again. I wrote him a letter as soon as I knew for certain, but I d

oubt that he's received it yet."

"If you get lonely here by yourself, you must promise me that you and Charlie will come stay with us. We have plenty of room, and it might be terrible to be all alone when you're expecting."

"In case you had forgotten, Lady Arabella, Sophie does have relatives who care about her," Alex said imperiously.

"If she moves in with anyone, she'll move in with me."

Belle gulped. "Perhaps she will long for female companionship," she said bravely.

"I'm sure his grace can provide plenty of female companionship," Emma muttered. Then to her complete mortification,

she realized that her unpleasant thought had been spoken aloud.

Alex was inordinately pleased at her obvious jealousy, but nonetheless asked sharply, "Would you care to elucidate that

comment, Emma?"

"Um, actually, I think I'd rather not," she said weakly.

Alex took pity on the shame and anguish he saw on Emma's face and decided to let the matter rest. "If Sophie desires

female companionship," he declared, "she will move in with my mother."

Sophie was also delighted by Emma's jealous comment, wondering blissfully what color dress she'd get to wear as an attendant

at the wedding. She did not, however, want to make Emma feel uncomfortable, so she said brightly, "A visit with Mama would probably be just the thing to lift my spirits during the next few months. I imagine we'll head out to the country. The clean air will

do me a world of good, and Charlie loves it so. I swear, he turns into a positive heathen once we get him out of town. He's constantly climbing trees and I'm always fearful for him, but Alex does say I must be careful not to coddle him. However—"

"Sophie," Alex said in an indulgent voice, "you're rambling."

Sophie sighed. "So I am."

"But," Emma put in gamely, "you were exceedingly interesting. I do so like trees."

The three women laughed at the reference to Sophie's earlier remark about Lady Summerton while Alex grumbled about

being left out of the joke.

"Oh, Emma." Sophie sighed with a smile, slowly regaining her composure. "I wasn't the least bit interesting, but it was

kind of you to lie for me."

"It was no trouble at all, I assure you."

"Perhaps it will also be no trouble for you to tell us all about yourself, Emma," Alex cut in.

"Goodness, that would be tedious. I already know all about her," Belle said archly.

Emma wondered when her cousin had grown so daring. "I wouldn't want to bore my cousin."

"I'm sure she won't mind," Alex ground out.

"By all means," Belle said graciously. "I shall chat with Sophie. You wanted to show me your new harpsichord, didn't you, Sophie?"

"I did? Oh, yes, of course, I did! Here, come with me, it's in the blue salon upstairs." Sophie quickly rose and headed for

the door, Belle at her heels. "You two will entertain yourselves, won't you?"

Emma wasn't quite angry enough to wish that looks could kill, but she found herself hoping that they could elicit brief but

startling pain.

"We'll be just fine." Alex was positively beaming.

"Well done," Sophie whispered to Belle.

"I thought so," Belle returned.

"Come along." Sophie said loudly. "I can't wait to show it to you." With that, the pair slipped out of the room and headed

upstairs.

"You must remind me to thank your cousin," Alex drawled.

"You must remind me to throttle her."

"Really, darling, is it so very difficult to be alone in the same room with me? You didn't mind last night." Alex strode across

the parlor and settled himself right next to Emma on the sofa. Emma sighed in exasperation. Was there no situation in which

he did not feel completely at ease? Here she was, her insides churning like an Atlantic crossing, and he was sitting next to her smiling as if he hadn't a care in the world. It was his nearness, she decided. Strange things happened to her when he was close.

It was time to get him to move.

"Umm," Emma began hesitatingly, all of her decisive thoughts flying out the window. "I don't mean to sound like a complete prig—"

'Then don't sound like one."

"But I really don't think you should be sitting so close to me."

"Oh, Emma," Alex sighed. "Have they got your head full of rules and regulations already?" He pinched a lock of her hair

between his fingers, unable to resist its fiery allure.

"Please stop, your grace. Belle and Sophie might return at any moment."

"Those two conspirators obviously intended to leave us alone. And I'm sure they'll let us know when they're coming back.

When they start descending the stairs, believe me, we'll hear coughing fits like we've never heard before. I wouldn't even

put it past them to work in a scream or two."

Emma bristled with anger. "I hate being manipulated."

"Yes, well, so do I. But I will make an exception when the manipulation leaves me stranded alone with you."

Emma shot him a sharp look. "You're always so self-contained. Doesn't anything frazzle you? Doesn't anything ever make

you want to scream?"

Alex laughed loudly. "Love, if I told you what makes me scream, you'd go running right out of this room back to the Colonies."

Emma blushed deeply. Even an innocent such as she understood what he meant. "Must you always twist my words? You're

such a trial." She crossed her arms against her chest and twisted her torso so that she was no longer facing him.

"Come now, love. Don't work yourself into a snit. Be honest with yourself. Do you so dislike talking to me?"

"Well, no, not really."

"Do you dislike being with me?"

"Well... not exactly."

"So what is our problem?"

"Well," Emma began slowly, turning back to face him, "I'm not really sure."

"Fine!" Alex declared happily, resting his arm along the sofa behind her back. "That settles it. We have no problems."

"That's exactly the problem!" Emma decided abruptly.

Alex quirked an eyebrow questioningly.

Emma was not deterred. "You decided there are no problems so voilal We have no problems. What if I think we have a problem?"

"But you just said we didn't have any problems."

"I said no such thing. I said I wasn't sure what the problem was. And now I know. So that settles it. We have a problem."

Emma punctuated this declaration by getting up off the sofa and moving to a nearby chair.

"What problem would this be?"

Emma crossed her arms. "You're far too bossy."

"Oh, really?"

"Really."

"Well, it just so happens that you need some bossing. Look what happens to you when you're left to your own devices—

I find you unconscious in the street!"

"I cannot believe you have the nerve to say that to me!" Emma fumed, getting up to pace the parlor floor. "I was unconscious

in the street because I saved your nephew's life! Would you rather I let him get trampled?"

"Forget that," Alex grumbled, unable to believe his own stupidity. "Bad example."

"And another thing—I don't need bossing," Emma said emphatically, working herself up into a fine rage. "I am perfectly able

to take care of myself. What you need is a good swift kick to remind you that you are not God!"

"Emma?"

"Oh, be quiet. I don't want to speak with you anymore. You'll probably just laugh smoothly and dish up another sexual innuendo. Frankly, I don't need that kind of aggravation."

"Emma—"

"What?!" she snapped, whirling around to face him.

"I was just going to remark that I don't think I've ever gotten into such a vehement argument with a woman within twenty-four hours of meeting her." Alex stroked his chin thoughtfully, curious about the depth of their emotional reactions to one another. "Actually, I don't think I've ever gotten into an argument like that with a woman ever."

Emma looked away. "Are you trying to insult me?"

"No," Alex said slowly, as if trying to work out a problem in his head as he spoke. "No, I'm not. Actually, I think I've just complimented you."

Emma looked back at him, her expression reflecting the confusion she felt. He was still rubbing his jaw, and his eyes had narrowed perceptibly. Long seconds passed, and Emma could see a wide assortment of emotions pass over his face. Every

now and then he would start to say something and then pause, as if a new solution had just offered itself to him. "Do you know what I think this means?" he finally said, his words slow and well thought out. "I think this means we're going to be friends."

"What?"

"It's a novel thought, actually. Friends with a woman."

"Don't overexert yourself."

"No, I mean it. Think about it for a minute, Emma. We do argue incessantly, but quite frankly, I've enjoyed myself more

in the last twenty-four hours than I have in years."

Emma merely stared at him, quite unable to think of a response to such a statement. Alex continued, "I think I like you, Miss Emma Dunster. Of course, I want you, too. That much must be quite obvious to you. Lord knows it's painfully obvious to me.

But I really do quite like you. You're a good egg."

"A good egg?" Her voice came out strangled.

"And I think that if you think about it, you'll realize you like me, too. When was the last time you had so much fun?"

Emma opened her mouth but didn't have an answer.

Alex smiled knowingly. "You like me. I know you do."

Emma finally laughed, unable to believe his nerve yet still admiring him for it. "Yes, I guess I do."

This time Alex's smile was radiant. "Well, then, I guess we're friends."

"I guess so." Emma was not quite sure how this truce had come about, but she decided not to question it. Despite her better judgment, she knew that

Alex was right—she did like him. He was completely outrageous and more than a little domineering, but she just couldn't help enjoying his company, even if they did spend half their time yelling at each other.

Just then they heard Belle and Sophie coming down the stairs toward the parlor. Belle started coughing uncontrollably, and

Sophie yelped, "Oh my!" Emma rested her face against one hand and began to laugh.

Alex merely shook his head, a wry grin spreading across his face. "Well, my love," he said, "I imagine my sister has just remembered that she doesn't have a harpsichord."