“I know.” Aaron offered her a sad sort of smile, knowing the truth, that it was not necessarily something that was possible, especially now they had fallen out so badly. That argument was perhaps the most they had spoken in months.
“Can we talk of something else?” Joyce asked, leaning toward him. “What of Lady Emily? You seemed greatly enamored by her company last night.”
“She is a fine lady.” Aaron was happy to admit it with a firm nod. “Yet do not look at me with such hope, mother.”
“Why not?” She looked deflated as she passed him a piece of cake.
“I respect the lady, I like her, that I am happy to admit, but it means no more than that.” He was not willing to admit openly that he had barely stopped thinking of her all night. That was a problem he had to work out in his own head.
“No more? Why not?” Joyce asked, her voice noticeably quiet.
“Because I had already fallen in love, mother.” Aaron sighed with the words. “I pictured marrying one woman only. That was my one shot. Clearly, that was not to be, and I must now watch her marry Hugh.”
Joyce sniffed again, betraying how close to tears she was.
“We all thought you would marry Jane. It surprised us all.” She lifted her chin, trying to smile though her eyes glistened with the unshed tears she was holding back. “You know dearest, it is possible to fall in love more than once in your life.”
“Is it?” he asked, holding onto his skeptical tone.
“It is. You have to trust me in that.”
“What makes you say that, mother?” Aaron asked, noting the way she abruptly avoided his gaze. “Wait…have you loved more than one person?”
“What a beautiful day it is, do you not think?”
She changed the topic entirely, leaving Aaron staring at her with his mouth open. Was it possible his mother had loved another beside his father?
Chapter Five
“There you are, Lord Tattershall.” Lord Bolton approached Aaron barely two minutes after he entered the dinner party.
He had greeted Sir Harold Jacobs who stood at the door, welcoming all his guests, and was now wandering around the room, doing his best to avoid having to talk to Hugh and Jane that were huddled together in a corner. He cast just one glance there way, feeling his stomach curdle when Jane placed a hand on Hugh’s arm. When Lord Bolton found him, Aaron was only too happy to be distracted from his thoughts.
“Here I am,” Aaron said, bowing to Lord Bolton as he did him.
“There is much I want to talk to you about. I have not forgotten we have not yet finished our debate on politics from the other night.”
“Yes, I am interested to see who will win that one.” Aaron was pleased by the exchange. When he had discussed politics with Lord Bolton, he had been amazed that it was a free discussion, with no sign of an argument in sight. He was even more amazed when Lady Emily had joined in, with opinions that Aaron felt refreshingly challenged his own.
“That must be saved for later. I am glad you’re here; I was wondering if you could do me a favor,” Lord Bolton whispered to him, leading him further into the room.
“Of course, if you’ll let me play that game of riddles with your family again.”
“Ha! You are more than welcome to join,” Lord Bolton said with a laugh. “Did we whet your appetite for more? Let me guess. Like me you have been coming up with some hard ones in your spare time?”
“I find it strangely addictive,” Aaron confessed, earning a nod of agreement from Lord Bolton.
“Just so. Though, do not tell Emily I research my riddles too. She’ll jump on me for trying too hard to win.” He shuddered at the thought. “I could do without her turning her jests on me!” He spoke playfully, clearly showing that in truth he minded no such thing.
“What was the favor you needed from me?” Aaron asked. His eyes turned around from Lord Bolton, looking around the room. At the mention of Lady Emily, he began looking for her.
Where is she?
“I believe you might be looking for the very thing I need help with.” Lord Bolton’s perceptive words made Aaron snatch his gaze back to him. “Look at you. Like a deer caught at the end of a hunter’s pistol. Have no fear, I am not going to press you into marrying my sister.”
Aaron could not help sighing with relief. It was something he had noted at the ball earlier in the week. In the company of the Earl of Dowing’s family, not one of them had tried to encourage a match between them. It made Aaron relax, feeling he was safe to enjoy this friendship without expectation.
“However, it is Emily I need your help with. Take a look.” He gestured over his shoulder, far behind him. Aaron looked beyond, seeing Lady Emily was talking with two gentlemen.
