The Demure Debutante - a Regency Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

horse?!”
    “Yes, on the same horse,” Arthur chuckled. “Unless you can make another horse miraculously appear, I'm afraid you have no other choice.”
    “I...” She could feel her cheeks turning a million different shades of crimson. “I don't know if I can do that. Riding on the same horse with you, it's... I cannot...”
    “Very well. If I makes you uncomfortable, I can walk alongside the horse and guide us back to Sanborne Hall.”
    When she saw him dismounting, Emilia yelped, “Wait!”
    Arthur paused, and his eyebrow was raised.
    “I will... ride with you,” Emilia capsized. “There's really no reason to raise a fuss about it. I don't mind.”
    “Are you certain?”
    “I am.”
    The next time he extended his hand, Emilia gently took it. During the few seconds they were holding hands, Emilia felt faint. And the fainting feeling did not subside when he pulled her onto the horse in front of him—and wrapped his arms around her. Emilia closed her eyes, reveling in the feeling of his strong arms encircling her waist. It was as close as she had ever been to a man, and that closeness had rendered her breathless.
    “Thank you for coming, Arthur,” Emilia said, his given name rolling off her tongue. “I think I was seconds away from crying!”
    “I'm just glad I could find you. Everyone is looking for you.”
    “They are?” Emilia's embarrassment increased. “Have I disappointed them?”
    “No, Miss Harcourt. I think they will be happy to see you safe!”
    Several seconds of silence elapsed, during which Emilia's heart was racing. Since his arms were wrapped around her, she hoped he would not feel it hammering beneath her chest. She did not want him to know what an unsettling effect he had on her. Emilia was glad she could not see his face, because the sight of it would surely be the death of her.
    “Well, I'm glad it was me,” Arthur suddenly said.
    Against her better judgment, Emilia tried to steal a glimpse of him over her shoulder. When she caught sight of the curl on his forehead, she thought she might swoon. How was it possible for a man to look so adorable and so handsome at the same time? “Pardon?”
    “I'm the one who found you... and I'm glad.” He smiled at her, which brought her even closer to swooning. “I'm always happy to help a damsel in distress.”

Chapter Six

    “I'm a terrible dancer.”
    As she led her fiance away from the dance floor, Willow had to bite her tongue. Edward's assessment of his dancing skills was accurate, but she couldn't bring herself to agree with him. He stepped on Willow's feet, plowed into a baronet, and tripped at least a few times. It wouldn't have been such a bad thing, except it was their engagement party, and all eyes were on them. There were only a few dozen in attendance, which meant there were only a few dancing couples at any given time. It wasn't as if they could blend into the crowd.
    “You are not... so awful,” Willow lied.
    “I am. I'm terrible.”
    “We'll work on it,” she tried to encourage him. “You just need a bit of polish.”
    “What I need is a miracle ,” Edward corrected her.
    When they had safely removed themselves from the dance floor, Willow's eyes were drawn to Emilia. She was standing in a distant corner of the room, half-hidden behind a statue. It was as if she was trying to hide herself from view. “Edward? I'm concerned about your sister. Why is she not dancing... or speaking to anyone?”
    “That's entirely normal, I'm afraid. Social situations make her apprehensive. Should we keep her company?”
    “No... I have a better idea,” Willow said. Her eyes swiveled around the room in search of her brother. When she found Arthur, he was standing in an opposite corner of the room, conversing with a couple of older gentlemen. “Wait here, Edward. I will return shortly.”
    As Willow navigated her way across the room, she kept her brother in sight. She could almost predict what he would say, but she would not accept