now, Miss Darling, surely you have some expectations of the man who will soon be your brother-in-law.’
‘Really? I thought you were doing everything you could to prevent that from happening.’
He shrugged. ‘If neither party is willing to cry off …’
‘Then you have not succeeded in changing your brother’s mind?’
‘No more than I suspect you have succeeded in changing your sister’s.’
‘Ah, but I have not tried,’ Emma informed him. ‘There have been so many other things to occupy my time. Fittings for new gowns. Paying calls on all the people who are desperate to hear details of my sister’s upcoming nuptials. Meetings with Mr Tufton to talk about the ceremony.’
‘Ah, yes, the dedicated vicar.’ Lord Stewart did not smile. ‘I wonder if he is taking as much of an interest in all of his parishioners as he seems to be taking in you and your family.’
Emma cursed the warmth that flooded her cheeks. She did not blush prettily. Patches of red stood out on her cheeks like droplets of blood on snow, resulting in her chin and forehead appearing all the more pale. ‘It is part of his job to get to know the people of this parish, my lord. And since Linette is to be married in his church, he is spending time with her to familiarise her with the ceremony. As well, he and my father discuss matters of philosophy and religion. The time he spends with Ridley and myself is minimal.’
‘If you say so.’ He didn’t meet her eyes, but Emma could sense his annoyance and for the life of her she couldn’t imagine why.
‘You haven’t answered my question as to what you expect of me as your brother-in-law,’ he said, reverting to their earlier topic of discussion.
Wondering why it mattered, Emma lifted her shoulders in a shrug. ‘Only that you are good to my sister and mindful of your obligations to her. Although,’ she said, hoping to lighten the mood, ‘I suppose if you were to occasionally take your mother and two sisters-in-law to lunch at some hideously expensive but exceptionally good restaurant in London, it would not go amiss.’
‘Hideously expensive but exceptionally good,’ he mused. ‘That would have to be the Clarendon. A pricey ticket, but worth it under the circumstances. Have you ever eaten there?’
‘No, though Ridley may have. He has a taste for the finer things. What would you suggest?’
‘Many believe their Coquilles St Jacques to be without equal and their crêpes Suzette better than those served at the Hôtel Le Meurice in Paris. Personally, I prefer the langoustine d’anglais, followed by a tender fillet of beef, and to finish, either a chocolate soufflé or crème brûlée
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