The Princess and the Peer(101)

“The duke has asked that all the guests assemble in the drawing room prior to dinner,” the housekeeper informed them with cheerful good humor. “Should you require anything in the meantime, you have only to say.”

Emma was given a large, luxuriously appointed set of rooms done in shades of lemon and sea green. Under any other circumstances, she would have found the accommodations delightful. As it was, she barely gave the chamber a glance as she dropped down onto the sofa only moments after the housekeeper closed the door.

Leaning her head back, she sighed and closed her eyes, hoping her maid would not be along soon to disturb her.

“Emma? Are you asleep?” asked a soft voice.

Her eyes flashed open and she turned her head to find Mercedes standing not far away.

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” Mercedes said, her chocolate eyes clear and luminous. “I thought perhaps you might like some company. Shall I go away?”

As much as Emma had thought she wanted solitude, she suddenly did not. The quiet gave her far too many opportunities to woolgather over matters best shut away.

Emma waved her to a chair. “No, no, sit. I shall call for refreshments. The journey was a long one today.”

But Mercedes motioned for her to remain where she was. “I will ring in a minute. Why do we not talk first?”

“I would much rather have tea,” she told her in a hard tone.

Mercedes grimaced guilty.

She narrowed her eyes. “Did Ariadne put you up to this?”

“No,” Mercedes denied hastily. “Well, not directly. She and I are only concerned, that’s all.”

“Do not be,” Emma said firmly. “And there is no need to talk. All is as it should be. I am going to be introduced to the king this evening.”

Her stomach heaved slightly at the realization.

Mercedes frowned, her fingers linked in her lap. “About that. Emma, there is something you should—”

“No. Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear,” she said, cutting her off. “My mind is made up. You, of all people, should understand, since you have always been sensible about such matters, accepting your responsibilities rather than struggling against them. If only I had done the same from the start rather than fighting the inevitable, I could have saved myself a great deal of misery.”

A brief silence fell. “Do you wish you had never met him, then?”

Neither of them had to confirm that by him she meant Nick.

Do I? Emma asked herself. Do I wish my heart were whole and untouched? That I had never loved Nick at all?

“No,” she said. Despite the pain, she would never wish away her time with Nick or her love for him.

Mercedes met her gaze, her eyes sympathetic and far more perceptive than they had any right to be. “Are you certain about this marriage? It is just that… well, I have been thinking and I believe that people should sometimes put aside the expectations and wishes of others to do what feels right for them. On occasion, one’s own happiness really ought to come first.”

Emma stared at her in surprise.

Mercedes had always been the most sensible of the three of them. The one who was far more conscious of pleasing others and of living up to the expectations of her royal duties. Why was Mercedes saying these things? From whence had this sentiment come?

But she didn’t have time to ponder the issue further as her maid entered with a quick knock to carry in the tea tray that neither of them had needed to order after all.

The baroness bustled in a short while after, busying herself with Emma’s wardrobe and the evening gown she would wear for her presentation to the king. The woman’s presence, even in the adjoining dressing room, put an end to any further discussion about Emma’s upcoming nuptials.

Mercedes stayed long enough to drink a cup of tea and eat a pair of the tiny sandwiches before she bade Emma a reluctant good-bye, then departed to make her own preparations for the evening.

The baroness advised Emma that she should rest. “You want to look your best when you meet King Otto,” she chimed, already directing the maid to pull the heavy gold velvet curtains closed to darken the room. Emma made no argument, content to stretch out in her stays and petticoats on the wide, comfortable bed, a blanket tucked over her for warmth. But as much as she hoped to drift into the oblivion of sleep, she remained wide-awake. All she could think about was the evening to come and meeting the man she must take as her husband.

Rupert had decided that the announcement of her engagement would wait until just after the New Year. Rather than proceed immediately, she and King Otto were to have most of the holiday to become better acquainted before a formal declaration was made.