“Because I sound mad, do I not?” she asked. “I cannot be certain I was pushed, though I think I was. I suppose you are the one I trust to tell. The one I hope will not judge me if I am losing my marbles.”
She smiled a little with these words, showing that she was trying to recover her old humor.
“You can always trust me, Lady Emily.” He spoke so softly he earned her gaze again and they shared a smile. The water had seeped in through Aaron’s clothes now, making him cold too with the occasional tremor, but sat here beside the fire that was slowly stirring to life, and with Lady Emily’s hand in his own, he could not imagine being anywhere else. “I suppose I will have to leave soon, to change, but do you know something?”
“What?”
“I do not particularly like the idea of leaving your side.” It was a whispered confession; one he could only utter with his eyes on their clasped hands.Why did I tell her that? It is true, but why tell her!?
“I do not want you to go either.” She spoke quietly, with her hand curling in his in such a way that Aaron felt something blooming in his chest.
Happiness.
“Right, how are we doing in here?” The Earl of Dowding’s voice made Aaron jump away. He released Lady Emily’s hand and stood to his feet, putting some distance between them.
The Earl hurried forward, not having appeared to have seen just how close they had been sitting. Behind him, Lady Grace and Lady Bolton hurried forward, carrying blankets that they passed to Aaron and Lady Emily.
“We are fine, Papa,” Lady Emily said softly, though she kept glancing back to Aaron. It was as if a barrier had gone down between them with their last words, one Aaron did not want to put back up again. Was it truly so bad to have this kind of friendship? One he would describe as addictive, and all encompassing.
I do not want to leave you, Lady Emily.
“The doctor is on the way.” Lord Dowding stepped toward his daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know you say you are fine, but I still wish to be sure. Well, I hope you are not this eager to be in the water when we reach the seaside.”
“The seaside?” Aaron repeated in shock, going still with the blanket he had threaded around his shoulders.
“Yes.” Lord Dowding looked up to him. “We are to spend a few days away together, just the family. Brighton, my Lord. We shall be gone for the weekend.”
“The whole weekend?” Aaron tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice. Clearly, Lord Dowding heard it though, for he was looking at Aaron with a humored smirk.
“Well, I say just the family are going, but plans can change of course.” Lord Dowding looked down at his daughter, as did Aaron, intrigued to see the way Lady Emily was looking back up at him, with those eyes unblinking. “What are your plans for this weekend, my Lord?” Lord Dowding asked Aaron. “You are more than welcome to join us in Brighton. What do you say?”
Chapter Nine
“Brighton,” Emily said with a sigh as she gazed upon the seafront.
Behind her, Arthur and Archibald were arranging for a footman to take their bags into the lodgings as they all climbed out of the carriage, but Emily could not be distracted. She was too busy gazing out across the pebbled beachfront, toward the deep blue ocean that was crashing with hissing waves on the shore. The pristine blue sky was mottled with the occasional white cloud, but it did not seem to deter those that had come to enjoy the waters, for the pebbled beach was full of people, particularly of ladies sat in chairs in fine dresses, wafting fans in front of their faces.
“What an odd place this is.” The warm voice of Lord Tattershall appeared at Emily’s side. She turned to see him approach her as he took off his top hat and tucked it under his arm.
“Let me guess, you cannot quite decide if it is a place of beauty or odd in design?”
“You have rumbled my thoughts,” Lord Tattershall leaned toward her, whispering in her ear. It was so close that a shiver of delight passed up a spine, pulling a giggle from her.
What is happening between the two of us?
“Come on, everyone. Our rooms are all set up!” Archibald beckoned them all forward. As they hurried inside, Emily followed beside Lord Tattershall, frequently looking toward him.
Since he had pulled her out of the water at Henley, things had changed between them. It was as if neither one was afraid of saying something to the other now. They frequently took hold of each other’s hand or arm too, with that physicality never far away. Even now, Lord Tattershall took her hand, as if it were second nature to him, escorting her up the steps and into the lodging house that was framed with pearl-white marble pillars.
“Let me show you to your rooms, my Lord.” An elderly lady bustled forward and curtsied to them. “My name is Mrs. Hall, and I will be caring for you whilst you are staying here. That reminds me, we had some post arrive for you all early this morning, in advance of your arrival.”
“Letters?” Charity said in surprise. “Who even knew we were coming here?”
“Forgive me,” Archibald said with a wince as he took the letters. “I had to put a forwarding address for any business. Ah, Lord Tattershall, there is one for you here. Emily, there is one for you too.”
Emily took the letter with surprise, peering down at the handwriting with wonder. She could not remember telling any of her other friends which lodging house they were going to stay at. The one friend she cared about knowing was stood beside her.
“You look startled,” Lord Tattershall whispered to her.
