Read Lady Emma's Dilemma (9781101573662) for Free Online Page A

her dismissive manner, Emma could not deny how amusing she found Amelia’s words.
    â€œYou do not have to care what others say about you. That’s why everyone is so curious to see what you will do next,” Amelia said as they sidestepped a clutch of dowagers.
    â€œWhat I will do next? Heavens, you make me sound like Mrs. Willoughby and her white ponies. There is no reasonfor anyone to discuss me. I lead an utterly placid life and have done nothing to draw any attention to myself.”
    Amelia’s sudden laughter was a mixture of shock and admiration as she glanced quickly to the other guests crowding around them.
    â€œAnd that, my dear Lady Emmaline Fallbrook, is why your name is on everyone’s lips. The fact that you would even mention Mrs. Wil—well, you know who, at Lady Colhurst’s ball when anyone might hear you, is why you are becoming such a rage.”
    â€œHow silly,” Emma said with a shake of her head, hardly believing what her friend said.
    â€œThank goodness you have come to London,” Amelia continued as they walked beneath the gallery where the orchestra was playing a lively reel. “I confess I have been growing quite worried about you over the last year or two.”
    Amelia’s words caught Emma by surprise. “Good heavens! Why?”
    â€œI confess that the last few times I have stayed with you at Maplewood I found the situation most disturbing. All the local mamas were bringing their daughters to you to make their curtsies before their first appearance at the local assembly balls. It was as if you were setting yourself up as some dowager, which was so dreadful, for you are so young and beautiful and used to be so fun-loving.”
    Emma almost stumbled. “Used to be fun-loving?”
    Amelia bit her lip, looking flustered as she struggled to respond.
    Suddenly, Emma’s expression broke into a smile and her bubbling laughter filled the tense silence. The guests nearest them turned and smiled at the pretty picture the two of them made.
    â€œI’m not offended, dear Amelia. In fact, you are exceedingly observant. My life in Yorkshire has been very useful, very peaceful, and very boring. I have come to London to be young and gay. I think more than six years of respectable widowhood is enough for anyone.”
    Amelia stopped and looked directly at Emma, a pleased and relieved expression spreading across her pretty features. “Oh, I am so happy to hear this! And you may count on me to help you have lots of fun. You know how my dear husband is so shockingly indulgent and encourages me in all my sprees. We shall set London on its ear with our high spirits. It will not be a challenge, for you are already cutting a dash with your sense of fashion. I just visited my milliner and heard several ladies ordering new bonnets with the ‘Fallbrook slant’.”
    â€œYou are teasing.”
    â€œNo, I vow it is true. Your uncluttered, elegant style makes the latest mode appear much too fussy. You have been in Town less than a week and already you are considered the best-dressed woman in the beau monde.”
    â€œHeavens, what a burden! If I am considered fashionable it is only because I have given my dressmaker her head. I certainly don’t care about setting any fashions.”
    â€œWell, don’t tell anyone—you’ll spoil the illusion.”
    â€œI had no notion that there was an illusion about me.”
    â€œYes, there is. And you should nurture it. A good illusion keeps everyone fascinated. You are lucky that you don’t have to create one. Everyone believes you are the impeccable, unflappable, perfectly perfect Lady Fallbrook.”
    â€œTosh. I am no such thing. And I should hate to be considered so. Being perfectly perfect sounds dreadfully arduous to keep up.”
    â€œOf course you are not perfect, but no one needs to know that. Believe me, you will have more fun if you keep up the façade. You know