Romance: Detective Romance: A Vicious Affair (Victorian Regency Intrigue 19th England Romance) (Historical Mystery Detective Romance) (28 page)

Eugene’s eyes narrowed and he let go of Emily to turn to Horlock. “I should have known you would interrupt us. This is your home, and I hate to disrespect you - but I love Emily, and I would appreciate it if you would refrain from interfering.”

Emily took a step back, fighting a smile. Good, this was what she wanted! Let them argue, realize she wasn’t worth fighting over. She wasn’t going to marry
either
of them, and they better realize it soon.

They continued to shout, voices rising by the second. They seemed to have forgotten Emily was even there - too busy arguing over her to pay attention as she sneaked off into the crowd.

A few people turned to look at the two men, pausing mid dance to stare. A tall man in blue stepped forward as if to break them apart, but seemed to think better of it and led his group of friends away.

“You will
not
win her hand, Mister Partridge. She is mine.”

With a satisfied smirk, Emily marched off, only to collide with someone’s shoulder. She spun around, an apology already forming before she realized who it was. Roland Everard. “Oh, hello Roland. Sorry.” She smiled. She had gotten rid of two men, but
he
still remained. Strangely, she wasn’t all too concerned about him.

“Emily? What are you doing here?”

“The Duke invited me,” she replied simply.

“Oh.” He sounded disappointed. Well, it was well known that the Duke was one of the men in line for her hand. “Have you decided yet which one of them you’re going to marry? They’re rich, but they won’t treat you like I will.” He cupped her face in one strong hand. “You don’t need money to enjoy yourself.”

With a grimace, Emily stepped away. I don’t doubt it, but it really isn’t your business. Besides, I’m not marrying
anyone.
” She had known Roland for years, and knew how he was with women. Then, with a smile, she kissed his cheek. “You’re a good man, Roland, but I like you no more than I like Eugene Partridge or Miles Horlock.” Even as she said it, she realized that wasn’t quite true.

Suddenly someone was behind her. She could feel the looming presence inches from the back of her messily pinned hair.

“What is this rakehell doing, Emily? How many men are intent on ruining this day for us?”

She turned around, looking straight into the eyes of Horlock. She deftly moved to the side, allowing Roland and Horlock perfect views of each other. That was when she noticed Eugene behind him, fuming silently. Whatever went on between them, it was quite the argument.

“I’m afraid I must use the bathroom. Please don’t hurt each other while I’m away.” Her gaze lingered on each man for a moment before she sidled past them.

“Emily! You cannot leave me with these two,” Roland called after her, but she ignored them as she made her way toward the lobby. “Emily!”

She just heard Eugene call Roland something rather rude before the chatter of the guests around her drowned them out.

*****

Emily heard nothing from any of the three men for at least a week. Perhaps they had argued themselves to breaking point and decided to leave her alone? She hoped so. That week without Eugene confessing his love, without Roland trying poorly to flirt, and without Horlock trying to impress her with his money was blissful.

Of course, nothing good ever lasts long.

It was early morning, and Emily was hardly out of bed when she heard someone knock hard on the door. She hurried to throw her dress on, not bothering to brush out the creases as she careened downstairs to see who it was. When she opened the door, the pale haired Eugene Partridge beamed at her.

Her heart fell, and she had to force herself to keep smiling. “Hello. Please, come inside.”

Before she could even offer him a drink or lead him to the living room, he spoke. “I’m sorry I haven’t contacted you in so long, but after the ball I needed time to think. The Duke of St. Albans wants your hand in marriage. He was very adamant about that - but it has only made me want you more. So,” he knelt down in front of her, holding out a hand for her to take. “Will you marry me, Emily Brooke?”

Emily sputtered, hands clenching by her side. No, no this was the
opposite
of what she wanted! He was supposed to lose interest, not love her more! Oh, what has she gotten herself into? With a shaky voice, she said, “I’m sorry, Eugene, but I cannot say yes.”

“Why not?” he questioned, eyebrows knitting together in a deep frown, “Is it my father? I may be disinherited, but I hope that doesn’t change how you think of me.”

“It isn’t that,” she said, “Eugene, I simply do not love you. I know many people do not marry for love, but
I
will.”

“If we marry, it will give you time to learn to love me.”

She shook her head. “No, Eugene. Accept my refusal and move on. Find someone who
does
want to marry you.”

He pulled himself to his feet, brushing down his trousers and looking at her levelly. “No. I will win your hand, Emily. Somehow, I will.” He bent to kiss her hand, and Emily allowed him to. “I’m sure I can prove to you I am worth marrying.” Then he left, leaving Emily alone in the hallway.

Almost immediately her mother was there, gripping her arms painfully tight. “He proposed!” she exclaimed, “he proposed, and you
said no?
Girl, what possessed you?”

Emily squirmed out of Adele’s grasp, folding her arms defiantly. “I don’t love him, mother. I will
not
marry for money. Besides, he is unbearable. Too sickly-sweet and far too desperate.”

Her mother scoffed, waving a hand in the air. “Oh, so what? He has money, and he’ll treat you well.”

Grimacing, Emily turned around to go upstairs. “Maybe you’re right, maybe you aren’t. Either way, it’s not enough for me to want to marry him.”

“It doesn’t matter what you
want!
” her mother sighed, “do you know how many people are lucky enough to marry for love? Hardly any. Stop acting like a child and admit the fact that Eugene Partridge or the Duke are your best options. Even marrying Roland Everard is better than waiting for
love.
Many women would die for the chance of getting to marry someone like them.”

Blowing out a breath, Emily simply waved a hand dismissively, not unlike Adele had moments ago. “I won’t say it again mother - I will
not
marry any of those men. Please, just respect my choices.” She turned around to gave her mother one last stern look before stomping upstairs, refusing to say any more on the matter.

Adele was the one being childish, not her. Forcing her to marry a man she didn’t like - never mind
love -
was horrendous.

*****

It seemed, much like Eugene, that the incident at the ball had only made Duke Horlock
more
determined to keep Emily.

She sat across from him, her dark blonde hair done in a perfectly neat bun for once. After the argument with Adele, she had promised to make more of an effort. It was the only way to make Adele leave her alone.

“Emily,” he started, leaning over to cover her tiny hand in his much larger one, “I simply
cannot
apologize enough for what happened at the ball.” He showed an unusual gentleness in the way he looked at her, eyes soft and sincere. This was not the brash Duke of St. Albans that she knew. “Eugene Partridge and I should not have argued like that, least of all in front of you.”

“It’s fine,” Emily replied, wincing. This was not how things were supposed to go! They were supposed to leave her alone after that night, not pursue her even more! “It was my fault, anyway.”

“Of course it wasn’t! How could you think such a thing?”

She might as well have some fun. If he was going to pursue her, she was going to show him how terrible an idea that was. “Well you see, I
wanted
to dance with him. I knew it would make you jealous - having men fight over me, it’s
exciting.”

Horlock didn’t seem to know what to make of that. He drew back, thick eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Really? I thought you hated it? That Eugene Partridge is far too possessive of you.”

So was he, but Emily didn’t say so aloud. “He is, but there’s something attractive about it. Both of you are so desperate for me - I love it.” She smiled coyly, hoping this was working. She might not want to marry him, but since he wasn’t leaving her alone she could use that to her advantage. Enjoy herself, play with him. Why not?

“You like that we fight for your affection?” The surprise in his voice was clear. “And who of us will you chose?”

“I don’t know. Whichever of you is most loyal I suppose.” She smirked, leaning forward so their foreheads almost touched. “I might not choose either of you. It all depends.” She leaned back, but Horlock followed her, almost entranced.

He stared at her for a long time. Silence filled the room, thick and almost tangible. Eventually, he said, “You’re a strange woman Emily - I like it. I suppose I can play your game - I can prove I love you the most.”

She had to force herself not to grin. The tables had turned now - making them fight had not made them lose interest, so perhaps if she made them fight for her affection, she could crush them even more when she turned them down. After all, Eugene had been incredibly upset when she refused his proposal - but she knew that would not be the last she saw of him.

There was a heavy knock on the door, urgent and quick. From outside, Eugene called to be let in.

“Oh, him again?” Emily muttered. If nothing else, this would give her the chance she needed to put them to the test. “I suppose I should answer,” Emily told Horlock, batting her eyelashes, “please excuse me.”

When she opened the door, she let in a flood of cold air that made her shudder even underneath her thick dress.

Eugene stood on the other side, pale skin pink from the chill. “Hello Emily.” He looked at her a moment before letting himself in. “I know we didn’t leave on good terms yesterday, but I feel I still have a chance of winning you over. Please, let me try.”

“You cannot, Mister Partridge. I have already promised to do the same.”

Eugene grimaced as he turned to face the door to the living room. “Duke Horlock is here? Oh, this is worse than I thought. Do you love him, and not me?”

Emily resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “I do not love either of you, nor do I wish to marry you. As I told the Duke; I will marry whomever I chose, and I will chose whoever I feel is most deserving and loyal to me.”

His eyes brightened, and all of a sudden he looked like a delighted puppy. “It is a fact, Emily dear, that I love you most. I shall prove it.”

Oh, she had them wrapped around her little finger. Why were men so easy to deceive? With a smile, she nodded, standing on her toes to press a light kiss to Eugene’s forehead, a hand against his muscular chest. She cringed as her lips touched his icy skin. “I look forward to it. Now, I think it’s best you leave - we wouldn’t want the Duke to become jealous, would we?” Her hands lingered on his chest a moment too long before she broke away.

“Of course, Emily,” he stuttered, grinning so wide his face might break, “goodbye for now.”

With him gone, Emily went back to Horlock. Eugene had been easy to seduce in only a few minutes. Now she had to work on the Duke.

She sat down, brushing stray blonde locks from her eyes. “Duke Horlock,” she spoke with a sickly sweet smile, “it seems Eugene is determined to win me over. How will you retaliate? You could prove your love to me now. Intercourse before marriage is a sin of course, but that does not mean we can’t do... other things.” Intercourse was too much even for her - but she could keep up the game, keep him wanting more.

“That will prove my love for you? Then yes, of course.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips, leaning into her.

In response, Emily kissed him just beneath the jaw, pulling him closer. He was a good kisser, she gave him that. Not good enough for her to marry him, but enough that this wasn’t so much of a trial.

His hands gripped her by the hips, and he swung a leg over the sofa so he straddled her. “You’re eager, aren’t you?” he laughed.

Emily continued trailing kisses down his jaw, reaching the top of his collarbone. She deftly unbuttoned the top of his shirt, her small hands working quickly. She was even starting to enjoy herself, believe it or not.

*****

It was two days before Emily saw any of the three men again. She had just came home, and the door was barely closed before her mother was there, grinning widely.

“Eugene is here,” she said joyfully, “I told him I didn't know when you would be home, but he insisted on staying. He's a keeper, he is.”

Emily simply rolled her eyes, nodding absently. “Yes, mum.”

Once her coat and shoes were off, Emily entered the living room to see Eugene sitting there, looking very prim and proper in the tiny room. “Hello Eugene,” she said, forcing a smile, “it's good to see you.”