Lady Emma's Dilemma (9781101573662) by Rhonda Woodward

be staying for the entire Season, Lady Fallbrook?”
    â€œYes. Even so, I don’t know how there will be enough time to attend all the parties and other entertainments that my grandmother has planned.”
    â€œI shall have to pay the duchess my highest compliments for convincing you to spend the Season in Town.”
    â€œAnd she will certainly take all the credit,” Emma said with wry humor as he swung her into a graceful turn.
    â€œLady Fallbrook, would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a drive through Hyde Park tomorrow afternoon?”
    A pang of disappointment brought a slight frown to her brow. “I’m sorry Lord Darley, but I am to spend tomorrow afternoon shopping with my grandmother.”
    For a moment he looked crestfallen, and then said, “I shall be devastated if you say you are engaged the day after tomorrow.”
    She felt charmed by his earnestness. “I am not, sir. I would enjoy driving in the park with you on Thursday.”
    With the melodic strains of music and the excited chatter of the other guests swirling around them, Emma gazed into his eyes and came to a momentous decision.
    Lord Darley certainly exhibited all the traits she was looking for in a gentleman. He possessed engaging, easy manners and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was an excellent dancer and her grandmother certainly found him acceptable. Yes, Lord Darley was certainly a gentleman worthy of being the first name on her list of potential lovers. Not that she intended to make any snap decisions this early in the Season, but he was certainly attractive enough to give further consideration.
    A ripple of excitement raced over her skin at her own daring.
    The music faded away and they came to a stop. Emmawas the first to lower her gaze from the intensity of Lord Darley’s.
    They remained silent as he began to lead her through the densely packed dance floor back to where Penelope now stood with Grandmère and a number of her friends, as well as Amelia and Roger.
    The look of approval and pleasure so plainly evident on Grandmère’s countenance almost made Emma laugh. The old lady would be calling for the banns to be read after one waltz, Emma thought with rueful amusement.
    She moved to stand next to Grandmère, then turned back to Lord Darley. “Thank you, sir, for a lovely dance.”
    â€œThe pleasure is mine, my lady.” With another lingering look, Lord Darley bowed and left.
    Just as Emma turned to tease her grandmother over her too pleased expression, their hostess caught her attention. Although some distance away she was looking directly at Emma.
    The plump lady—dyed orange egret feathers quivering atop her head—moved gracefully, yet swiftly, through the crowd with a pleased smile gracing her features.
    As Lady Colhurst drew near, Emma noticed the man at her side. She was startled to see that it was Lord Monteford.
    â€œLa, Emmaline, it appears Monteford desires to judge for himself if what the actor said last night about your charms is true,” Penelope whispered to her from behind her fan.
    Their hostess and Lord Monteford were now so close that Emma dared not risk replying to Penelope.
    â€œMy dear Lady Fallbrook,” Lady Colhurst said without preamble, “what a delightful picture you made waltzing with Lord Darley. I trust you will delight us by taking the floor again.” This last bit was said with a bright sideways smile to the gentleman at her side. “Now then, I do not believe you know Lord Monteford.”
    Keenly aware of her grandmother’s and her friends’ interested attention, Emma composed her features into a faintsmile and said, “No, Lady Colhurst, I have not had the pleasure of meeting Lord Monteford. Good evening, sir.”
    Inclining her head toward him, she watched his smile disappear and his brows furrow ever so slightly. For an instant she feared that her tone had been a bit too frosty, and then decided