Dancing at Midnight Read Free Page B

pulled on a dressing gown. "Do you want me to
    get you anything?"

    Emma shook her head and took a deep breath, valiantly trying to keep the
    contents of her stomach down.

    "You're not giving me a lot to look forward to about marriage," Belle
    quipped.

    Emma smiled weakly. "It's mostly better than this."

    "I certainly hope so."

    "I thought I could keep down the tea and plain biscuits I ate for
    breakfast," Emma said with a sigh. "But I was wrong."

    "It's easy to forget that you're expecting," Belle said kindly, hoping
    to buoy her cousin's spirits. "You're still so slender."

    Emma flashed her a grateful smile. "It is very kind of you to say so. I
    must say, this is a new experience for me, and it is
    all very strange."

    "Are you nervous? You haven't mentioned anything to me."

    "Not nervous exactly, more—hmmm, I don't quite know how to describe it.
    But Alex's sister is due in three weeks, and we are planning to visit
    her the week after next. I hope to be there for the birth. Sophie has
    assured me that we are welcome. I am
    sure I won't feel so nervous once I know what is expected of me." Emma's
    voice was laced with more hope than certainty.

    Belle's experience with birth was limited to a litter of puppies she had
    seen her brother deliver when she was twelve, but nonetheless, she was
    not at all certain that Emma would feel more at ease about the procedure
    after witnessing Sophie
    having her baby. Belle smiled weakly at her cousin, murmured something
    unintelligible which was meant to convey her
    agreement, and then shut her mouth.

    After a few moments, Emma's complexion returned to its normal color, and
    she sighed. "There. I feel much better now.
    It's amazing how quickly this sickness passes. It's the only thing that
    makes it bearable."

    A maid entered, carrying a tray with morning chocolate and rolls. She
    set the tray down on the bed, and the two ladies
    positioned themselves on either side of it.

    Belle watched as Emma hesitantly took a sip of her chocolate. "Emma,
    could I ask you a question?"

    "Of course."

    "And you'll be frank in your answer?"

    One corner of Emma's mouth tipped up. "When have you ever known me not
    to be frank?"

    "Am I not likeable?"

    Emma managed to grab her napkin just in time to avoid spitting out her
    chocolate all over Belle's sheets. "Excuse me?"

    "I don't think I'm not likeable. I mean, I think most people like me."

    "Yes," Emma said slowly. "Most do. Everyone does. I don't think I've
    ever met anyone who /didn't /like you."

    "Just so," Belle agreed. "There are probably a few who don't care about
    my existence one way or another, but I think it's
    rather rare for someone to actively dislike me."

    "Who dislikes you, Belle?"

    "Your new neighbor. John Blackwood."

    "Oh, come now. You didn't speak with him for longer than five minutes,
    did you?"

    "No, but—"

    "Then he couldn't have taken you into dislike that quickly."

    "I don't know. I rather think he did."

    "I'm sure you're mistaken."

    Belle shook her head, a perplexed expression on her face. "I don't think
    so."

    "Would it be so terrible if he didn't like you?"

    "I just don't like the idea of someone not liking me. Does that make me
    terribly selfish?"

    "No, but—"

    "I'm generally considered to be a nice person."

    "Yes, you are, but—"

    Belle squared her shoulders. "This is unacceptable."

    Emma choked back laughter. "What do you plan to do?"

    "I suppose I have to make him like me."

    "I say, Belle, are you /interested /in this man?"

    "No, of course not," Belle replied, rather quickly. "I just don't
    understand why he finds me so repugnant."

    Emma shook her head, unable to believe this rather bizarre turn of
    conversation. "Well, you'll be able to work your wiles on
    him soon. With all of the men in London who have fallen in love with you
    without the least bit of provocation on your part,
    I can't imagine you won't find success in getting this Blackwood fellow
    to fall in /like /with