him as a person. It was the dislike that helped, only slightly, to keep her desire in check. She had to maintain some measure of distance. Kingsley was everything she did not want in a husband. He owned a gaming hell. He was not titled and not wealthy. Those attributes were what she’d been taught to look for in a gentleman since she was a child. And he had none, so then she would put him out of her mind completely.
Then again, Bolton had had all those qualities, and he certainly had been a poor choice.
She focused her attention back on her list, determined to put the frustration she felt away from her mind. She stared at numbers six and seven. The carriage races were not until Saturday, so she could do nothing but plan how she might manage to slip into a carriage and steal it away from its owner to race. That left number seven because she had every intention of ignoring number nine until she could find someone other than Simon Kingsley to desire. She’d never said she had to finish her list by a specific time.
Glancing over at the clock on the mantel, she decided noon was an excellent time to pay a call on her friend. Emma rang for Mary then quickly replaced her list in the hidden drawer of her desk.
“Yes, miss?” Mary asked as she entered the room. “Have you decided to go out?”
“Yes,” Emma turned to face her maid. “I need to pay a call on Miss Lancaster.”
“Of course, shall I pull out the blue striped muslin?” Mary opened the door to the linen cabinet.
“Yes, and my spencer. I thought it looked like a pleasant day for a walk.”
Mary looked back at Emma with a frown. “Are you certain? It looks as if it might rain.”
Emma glanced out the window and noticed the gray clouds gathering to the west. “We should be able to arrive before the rain starts.”
“As you wish. But let me get your cloak, not a spencer.”
Emma shook her head. “Of course.”
Once dressed, Emma gathered her cloak and money before leaving the room to meet her maid in the front hall. As she waited, her mother descended the stairs, dressed to pay a call. “Where are you off to this morning, Mamma?”
“I must speak with Lady Huntley about this business at Almack’s last night. Did Susan give you any information?”
“No, she wasn’t at home.”
Her mother pursed her lips. “Of course not. She was likely at Almack’s and saw the entire debacle.”
“Mamma, it is not that dreadful. I truly don’t mind if I have to skip Almack’s for the Season.”
Mamma tilted her head and stared at her. “You silly girl. This goes far beyond Almack’s. Everyone will believe there is some reason for this rejection. On top of Bolton’s rejection last year, it means fewer invitations and less chance of finding a good husband for you.”
“I did go to Hell last night, Mamma.” Emma held up her hand to stop her mother’s interruption. “I wanted to find out if Mr. Kingsley had any idea about where such a rumor might have started. Perhaps another young lady had dressed as a boy and entered Hell.”
Her mother’s frown turned into a deep scowl. “Emma, you must never go there again. People might have seen you.”
“I am certain some did see me speak with him. But everyone knows that he is Louisa’s brother-in-law.”
“Still, all this nonsense will have the gossipmongers talking again. You may never find a husband at this rate.”
Emma could only hope so. It always came down to finding Emma a husband before she spoiled like a piece of meat. “I understand, Mamma. But with ten thousand on my head, I am sure some poor lord will still come calling.”
“We can only hope at this point. But I haven’t seen Lord Ainsley in days.”
“He went down to Worth to visit Harry and Louisa.” Blast! Why did she say that?
“Lord Ainsley was at Worth, and you decide to return early? What is wrong with you, Emma?” Her mother wrung her hands. “I only want the best for you, and Ainsley is perfect.”
“No, Mamma. Ainsley is not perfect for me.” She might as well admit the truth. “He kissed me, Mamma. I felt nothing for him. It was as if Harry had tried to kiss me. If felt brotherly, not husbandly.”
“You have read far too many silly books by that Mrs. Lewis. The only thing that matters in marriage is security and title.