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.A thick cream rug hugged the wood floors.A blue brocade chair sat in front of the fireplace.There was a mahogany wardrobe against one wall near a small writing desk that could double as a dressing table.The four-poster bed was draped with beautiful blue silk coverings and numerous pillows.Hanging above the bed was a portrait of her parents.“Oh, my.” Her hand covered her pounding heart and tears stung her eyes at the duke’s thoughtfulness.She was convinced it was his doing.Who else could have brought it here from where it had hung in her papa’s bedchamber? Emma would have to remember to have a private word with him that evening to thank him.Emma glanced at the bed again and suddenly realized how weary she was.And the thought of sleeping in a real bed, in a home, instead of a rocking ship, had her sighing with longing.Even though she had been on land for several hours, she still experienced the rocking of the ship.But she could not be rude to her new sisters who were making themselves comfortable on her bed, their eyes wide and waiting.Bella and Amelia were the exact opposites.Amelia had deep brown hair and dark, exotic eyes.With her creamy pale skin, Emma could picture men dropping to their knees begging for her favors.Bella had beautiful silky blond hair and blue eyes.When she looked at Bella’s eyes it was unsettling as they mirrored those of Bella’s brothers.It was the duke she pictured and thought about most as she compared the family.“What would you like to know?” Emma asked as she sat down at the foot of the bed.She prayed her racing heart would settle down soon.Just as Bella was about to speak, their mother swept into the room, with two muscular servants managing Emma’s trunk.A lady’s maid followed on their heels.The dowager duchess clapped her hands to get their attention.“Girls, Emma needs her privacy.She must be positively exhausted from her travels.She needs rest.You can spend time with her later this evening.Now, go.”They said their good-byes and promised to come back later that night for ‘girl talk.’“Emma, this is your lady’s maid, Rosie.She is competent and has been in our employ for…” The dowager threw up her hands.“Well, forever.Her mother is my maid, and I assure you, she has had the best training.She will take good care of you.Now, I will leave you to rest before the evening meal.”The dowager duchess paused at the door and glanced over her shoulder.“If you need anything, Rosie will help you.”Emma did nothing but yawn as Rosie helped undress her down to her chemise and tucked her in bed under the rich, silky covers.The last thing Emma remembered before falling into a dreamless and utterly exhausted sleep was the duke’s scowling face and his penetrating eyes as they had appeared their last time together.***“Miss Emma, wake up,” Rosie murmured as she threw open the doors to the wardrobe.The rustling of taffetas, silks, and satins pulled Emma from sleep.“It’s time to dress for dinner.There will only be family this evening so nothing formal.How about this lovely pink evening dress?”Emma sat up, swung her legs over the side of the bed, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.“Oh, I cannot.That is not mine.” She shuffled to the wardrobe and gently fingered the exquisite and expensive clothing hanging there, everything from day dresses to ball gowns to riding habits.Where had they all come from? She had nothing so fine in her trunk.She’d left all her lovely clothes in America because she had outgrown them.“Rosie, where did all these come from?” she asked as her pulse soared.Though not hers, she wished she had time to try them on one by one and parade before the mirror.“His Grace,” Rosie replied.His Grace.Emma remembered his scowl and quickly snatched her hand back from fingering the pink taffeta evening dress Rosie had recommended.Emma frowned.How on earth had he accomplished all this? What purpose did he have that had him dressing her so fine? Her heart slammed into her chest.Of course it made perfect sense [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]