a terrible match for Emma. The man ignored her for the three months they were engaged. The man never even kissed her. His own fiancée.”
Harry’s brown brows furrowed. “And exactly how would you know all that?”
Damn. “Emma told me while we were at Worth Hall.”
“I see,” his brother said in a very ducal manner. “I suppose that was your reason for kissing her?”
“She told me Bolton never kissed her. She asked for a kiss.” Only a slight lie. Harry didn’t need to know that she requested the kiss from Ainsley.
“I cannot believe Bolton never kissed Emma,” Harry whispered. “That man is a bigger arse than I realized. Perhaps, I should break up their dance.”
“Let them dance.” Simon’s gaze returned to Emma, who had a sweet smile on her face as she looked up at Bolton. Simon’s stomach clenched. He’d never been the jealous sort, but the sight of them together caused his anger to soar.
“Your Grace,” a footman interrupted, “You have a missive.”
The footman waited for Harry to read the note. Harry frowned. “It’s from Louisa.”
“Is all well?”
“No.” Harry looked over at the footman. “Have my carriage brought around now,” he demanded as only a duke could.
“What is wrong, Harry?” Simon asked.
“George’s coughing has worsened. Nurse thinks it might be croup, but Louisa is fearful of whooping cough.” Harry looked over at Simon as worry clouded his eyes. “I need to go to Louisa. Can I trust you to chaperone Emma and escort her home?”
“Of course, go. I will stop by after I return Miss Drake to her home in case you need me.” And because he wanted to make sure for himself that his nephew was well.
“Thank you.”
Once the dance ended, Simon noticed Emma glancing around for Harry. Simon approached her with a forced smile. “Miss Drake, I must speak with you.”
She shook her head. “No, I need to find Harry.”
“He has left.”
Her face fell. “What do you mean he left?”
“George has taken a turn for the worse.”
“Oh no, poor Louisa must be worried. We must go to them immediately.” Emma started walking past him, but Simon caught her elbow.
“I promised Harry I would chaperone you and then take you home.”
She shook her head. “No, we are leaving and going to our family now.”
Simon blinked at the commanding tone she used. She must be as worried about George as he was, and for that, he could not deny her the option to assist her sister. “As you wish.”
Once settled in his carriage, she glanced over at him. “You do not know, do you?”
“Know what exactly?”
“About Robert.”
Robert? Did Emma have a suitor? Robert? Robert Digby? No, the man was a reprobate. “Robert?”
“My brother,” she whispered.
“You don’t have a brother,” he foolishly commented.
“I did,” she said, still using a hushed tone. “Robert died when I was three, so I have no memory of him. But Louisa was watching him while my mother went to fetch the physician.”
“Where was Tessa?”
“She was visiting my grandmother in Portsmouth. Louisa didn’t go with her because she and Robby had been ill with what they thought was just a cold, but Robby did not get better. His cough became far worse until Mamma realized it was whooping cough.”
“What happened?”
Emma stared down at her gloved hands. “My mother stopped at the bank and urged my father to get the physician. She then returned to find Louisa holding Robert. His face was blue.”
“Poor Louisa,” Simon whispered. “I had no idea.”
“Now, you see why I insisted we leave the ball.”
Simon nodded, but worry gnawed at him.
“George will be well,” Emma added confidently. “It is most likely croup, not whooping cough.”
He hoped that was true, not that he knew what croup was, but Emma seemed to know and thought it better. By the time they arrived at Harry’s, Simon’s doubt had returned over George's health. As they entered the house, a flurry of activity met them.
“Good evening, sir, Miss Drake,” the butler said. “Please excuse me for saying this, but it might not be the best time for a call. The little lord is ailing. I thought you might be the physician.”
“We are aware, Jenkins,” Emma replied. “Harry was at the ball with me and asked Mr. Kingsley to escort me home, but I must help my sister. Tessa is with child and cannot attend Louisa.”
Jenkins smiled down at Emma in a fatherly manner. “Of course, Miss Drake. They are in the nursery.”
“Did Her Grace request hot water for steam?” Emma asked.
“No, miss.”
“Then get as many pots filled as possible