Читать книгу Regency Pleasures and Sins Part 2 - Elizabeth Rolls - Страница 26

‘Miss Beaumont.’

Emily turned her head on hearing her name. Her heart started to thud as she saw the identity of the gentleman approaching. Not that her odd excitement sprung from liking him, rather he unsettled her.

‘Mr Hunter,’ she greeted him and sketched a polite bob.

Mark Hunter studied the fair face turned up to his. ‘I haven’t seen you since the wedding. I think we ought take a little credit for bringing about that very happy occasion.’

Emily immediately smiled at the reference to Helen and Jason’s nuptials, and the prior events at Vauxhall Gardens. ‘The whole day was wonderful, was it not? Even the weather was glorious.’

‘They deserved the best.’

Emily nodded vigorously, her blonde hair rippling prettily. ‘Oh, indeed,’ she agreed. A silence developed between them so she made conversation as they walked on towards the water in Hyde Park. ‘I hope Charlotte’s wedding next month is just so blessed with everything good.’

Mark smiled. ‘They have Westlea House as a wedding gift. That’s certainly good.’

‘It will be quite a beautiful home when the work is finished. Charlotte and Philip are lucky indeed to have such a generous brother-in-law.’

‘I think perhaps the pair owe thanks to Helen for their good fortune. I know she wanted the newly-weds to have a home of their own.’

‘It must be hard to start married life with no privacy, surrounded by one’s family.’ Emily had said that quite pensively and her eyes instinctively slanted to her brother, who was grouped close by with his friends. She frowned and began to turn away.

Mark glanced at Tarquin, too, and understood why Emily had suddenly withdrawn from him. Tarquin Beaumont was in the company of a notorious gamester and money was clearly changing hands.

Emily was about to fly to her brother’s side to attempt to keep him from more trouble. Annoyed that he was to lose her enchanting company, Mark said gruffly, ‘Your brother must discipline himself and learn what company to avoid. It is not something you can do for him.’

Emily whipped her head about to give him a haughty stare. ‘I quite agree he should pick his friends carefully. I recall you were the Judas who had him thrown in the Fleet.’

‘If you will let me explain, there are things you don’t know about that,’ Mark said on a sigh.

‘I know enough,’ Emily countered icily. ‘I certainly know I do not like you, Mr Hunter, and no sweet talk will change my mind.’ Within a moment she had spun on a heel and headed off towards her brother.

Mark Hunter watched her go, an odd expression, part amusement, part exasperation, on his face. ‘And I know, Miss Beaumont, that if I wanted to change your mind, it wouldn’t be through conversation….