“That would be more convincing if you did not look like you needed to eat a few cream buns.” Emily gestured to Julia’s slender stature with the card before she pulled a slip of paper out of the carded envelope. Julia looked ready to argue further, but evidently the way Emily’s body froze stopped her.
“What is it?” she asked.
The name that was left in cursive handwriting at the bottom of the card momentarily gave Emily hope.
“They’re from the Marquess of Tattershall,” she said a little breathlessly.
“Oh my! See? Am I not a wonder at matchmaking!” Julia did a little dance beside Emily.
Is it possible?Emily wondered.Is there a chance he felt that same excitement when he danced with me last night?She thought of every time he took her hand and the tingling that followed it, as well as the way his smile warmed her bones. Then her eyes settled on the rest of the note.
“Do not take delight just yet, Julia. I think your romantic nature has run away with you.” Emily spoke hurriedly, trying to cover up any disappointment she felt.
“What do you mean?” Julia asked, running round Emily to stand on her shoulder to read the note with her.
‘To the Earl of Dowding and his family,
Consider this a small token of my gratitude. Last night I attended the ball with what can only be described as apprehension, and yet your family’s company turned the event into something that was not just bearable, but incredibly enjoyable. I know not how to thank you for it. I truly look forward to seeing you all again.
Your friend,
The Marquess of Tattershall.’
“Oh, well this is still good.” Julia was clearly trying to maintain an upbeat tone. “He danced with you, did he not?”
“Do not be foolish, Julia. Abandon any attempt you have at seeing me matched with Lord Tattershall. That is something beyond reach.”
“I do not think so.” Julia kept her strength in her voice, just as others walked into the room. Charity was first, followed by Arthur and Grace, who all at once gushed over the flowers.
“Are they for you, Emily?” Charity asked. “Don’t tell me, are they from Lord Tattershall?”
“That was a lucky guess, Mama, but they are not for –”
“Maybe we will have wedding bells before summer is out!” Grace sang, picking up one of the white roses from the bouquet and burying her nose in the petals. “He certainly has good taste in flowers. Roses, Mama, look?”
“Wait!” Emily said, too insistently. She at once regretted it from the way her family all turned sudden glances at her. “They are not for me.” She tried to offer a smile to soften her harsh tone. “They are for all of us, a kindness from Lord Tattershall. Look.” She pushed the note under their eyes.
“Oh, I see.” Charity was quickly trying to cover up her disappointment. “Well, that is a kind thing indeed, but I will not lose hope yet.”
“Lose hope? Why are you hoping at all?” Emily tried to find some jest to make on the situation, hoping to cover up any disappointment she felt. “Mama, to hope after my debut that I would find a man to marry is a little quick, is it not?” Charity nodded slowly, though she still looked saddened. “Have no fear, I have many nights yet to make a man fall madly in love with me. How could every man resist?” Emily mocked herself, watching as Julia and Grace offered smiles.
“I am sorry, Emily. It is just…” Charity placed the cards with the flowers. “I thought he was nice.”
“He was nice; indeed, he was.” Emily nodded in agreement. “But rest no hopes on Lord Tattershall, Mama.” She placed a hand on her mother’s shoulder in comfort. “His heart is with another.”
“I see.” Charity nodded.
Emily felt her heart sink the moment she thought of Miss Drew. It hardly mattered that the woman was betrothed elsewhere. The way that the Marquess had gazed at her made his feelings plain to see.
He is still in love with her.
“They are indeed beautiful flowers.” Emily smiled nonchalantly, trying to move the conversation on and escape the saddened looks that were pointed in her direction. “If you would excuse me, I am going to read for a while.” She hurried off.
Emily looked back only once to see that Arthur was staring after her, with a worried gaze in his expression. She felt as though he could see into her, what she was truly feeling in that perceptive way of his. Emily chose to turn away from him, not allowing him to perceive any more in her behavior.
She escaped quickly to the library where she found the book that she had been reading the day before and picked it up with both hands, clutching it tightly. She scampered into a far corner, finding a nook within the tall mahogany bookshelves, and hiding her body within, before opening the pages and returning to her tale.
‘Elizabeth was not blind. She knew the Captain of the ship stared at her often. In just the few short days they had been on their voyage, she had caught him staring at her many times, yet whenever she attempted to make conversation with him, her father drew her away, muttering things under his breath.
