Read Online Splendid by Julia Quinn - Free Book Online Page A

said triumphantly. “You are from the Colonies! Good old Percy over there wagered you were from France. ‘With a last name like Dunster?’ I said. ‘No, she’s from good English stock, even if she did defect to the Colonies.’ And I was right. I’m going to have to go and collect my wager.”
    Before Emma could say anything more, he’d waddled away in search of his crony. Emma was somewhat surprised at the amount of attentionbeing paid to her and more than a little flustered that people were actually making wagers about her origins. Ned had told her that the ton often made wagers to amuse themselves, but this was ridiculous. Didn’t they have anything more interesting to do with their time? She turned to Lady Humphries, who’d been stranded by her husband, and smiled weakly. “How do you do, Lady Humphries?”
    â€œVery well, thank you,” she replied. Lady Humphries had a friendly manner but seemed slightly daft. “Do tell me,” she said, leaning forward conspiratorially. “Is it true that wild bears roam free in Boston? I understand that the Colonies are overrun with savages and wild beasts.”
    Emma could see her aunt roll her eyes and groan in expectation of another of her niece’s lectures about the many wonderful qualities of the United States. But Emma just leaned forward, took both of the older lady’s hands in her own, and said—just as conspiratorially as Lady Humphries—“Actually, Boston is quite civilized. You’d feel quite at home there.”
    â€œNo!” Lady Humphries said, shocked.
    â€œNo, really. We even have dressmakers there.”
    â€œReally?” Lady Humphries’s eyes were wide with interest.
    â€œYes, and milliners, too.” Emma nodded slowly, her eyes wide. “Of course they often get destroyed when the wolves come through town.”
    â€œWolves! You don’t say!”
    â€œYes, and they’re so terribly vicious. Why, I lock myself in my home each year for weeks in fear of them.”
    Lady Humphries fanned herself vigorously. “Oh my. Oh my, I have to go tell all this to Margaret. If you’ll excuse me.” Eyes wide with a mix of horrorand delight, she darted away from Emma and disappeared into the crowd.
    Emma turned to her aunt and cousin, both of whom were shaking with mirth. “Oh, Emma,” Belle laughed, wiping tears out of the corners of her eyes. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
    Emma rolled her eyes and gave a harumph. “Well,” she declared. “You’ve got to let me have a little bit of fun tonight.”
    â€œOf course, darling,” Caroline replied, shaking her head. “But did you have to have your fun with Lady Humphries? Your little tale will be all over the ballroom in less than ten minutes.”
    â€œOh, pooh. Nobody with any sense will believe it. And frankly, I’m not interested in impressing anybody who hasn’t got sense,” Emma raised her eyebrows and turned to her relatives, silently daring them to reply.
    â€œShe’s got a valid point,” Belle conceded.
    â€œI must admit, I have always found Lady Humphries rather ridiculous myself,” Caroline remarked.
    â€œI don’t plan on being impolite,” Emma explained. “It’s just that I think I’ll perish of boredom if I have to engage in conversation with any more of these complete ninnyheads.”
    â€œWe’ll do our best to protect you,” Caroline replied, a smile tugging at her lips.
    â€œI knew you would,” Emma replied, smiling gaily
    After that moment, one of Ned’s friends appeared at Emma’s side to claim a dance. Alex scowled at the young man from behind the drape as he watched the pair float across the ballroom floor.
    â€œA little jealous, are we?” Dunford inquired.
    â€œâ€˜We’ are not the least bit jealous,” Alex replied imperiously.