Emily stood to her feet as Aaron did, with the two of them following the others out of the room, but at a much slower pace. Emily took the opportunity to come closer to Aaron’s side, unseen by her father and brother. He brushed his arm against hers. It was a small touch, but one that made her cheeks blush, reminding her of what they had just shared.
“My Lady, shall I put out the fire?” Helena’s voice from in the room made Emily pause in the doorway and look back, reminded of the burning letters that were now almost cinders.
“Yes, thank you, Helena.” Emily nodded her head to the maid before she turned back to look at Aaron. The simple reminder of what was in the fire brought back the horror she had known a few minutes ago.
“About the letters,” she whispered to Aaron as they turned around and walked into the corridor. “What should we do?”
“There is not much we can do. Without knowing who sent them, we cannot tell them to stop. We must merely wait for them to stop and grow bored.”
“That could take a while,” Emily murmured, more to herself with worry as her hands fidgeted in front of her. It had to be an action that Aaron noticed, for he took hold of her hand, stopping her from fidgeting. His touch was warm as he threaded her hand through his arm, rested it on the crook of this elbow, and placed his fingers over hers, never releasing her.
“We will continue as we are, Emily,” he said quietly. “We will simply have to show whoever is writing these awful letters that we won’t be scared.” His smile warmed her heart, reminding her of what had passed, the confession of love and that one stolen kiss.
If only we could have stolen another!
“Are you two coming?” Arthur’s voice called from up ahead.
“We’re coming,” Aaron called back before he lowered his voice so only Emily could hear him. “Just at a much slower pace so we can have another minute alone together. I’m already looking forward to the next time we can ensure our chaperone is looking elsewhere.”
She giggled at the idea as they followed the others toward the dining room.
“Impatient man,” she teased him, loving the way he laughed warmly at her words.
“You know me well indeed.”
* * *
“Emily? Emily, look who has come to see us!” Charity’s voice was gushing with excitement.
Emily hurried to place down her book. The Captain and Elizabeth’s relationship absorbed most of her free time at the moment, though in those roles she firmly pictured herself and Aaron. She was the maiden these days atop the ship’s deck, defying her father’s wishes by pursuing a courtship with the Captain, and the Captain was Aaron, dressed in a fine uniform, but quiet and mysterious, with longing stares shared across the deck.
“Who is it?” Emily asked, closing the book, and hiding it behind a cushion beside her on the settee.
“The Duchess of Parson,” Charity declared as she walked into the room, followed closely by Aaron’s mother.
Emily instantly stood to her feet and hurried to curtsy, just as the Duchess bustled into the room.
“Lady Emily.” She crossed the chamber, followed by Charity, with her arms outstretched in Emily’s direction. “It is so good to see you again.” She took Emily’s hands, treating her instantly like the oldest of friends or family, even though they had but shared one tea together. “I do not think Aaron has stopped talking about you since you came to see me for tea. I must thank you.”
“Thank me? Whatever for, your Grace?” Emily asked, aware that Charity was calling for a maid to bring tea for the three of them.
“For what you have done for my son.” The Duchess’ words stunned Emily so much that she did not move for a minute, she just continued to hold onto the lady’s hands, staring back at her in wonder.
“Your Grace, please, take a seat, tea will be brought shortly,” Charity’s words reminded Emily of propriety and urged her into action. She made room for the Duchess on the settee, being careful to hide her book away as she did so, keeping it firmly behind the cushion as she tucked it behind her back.
“Your Grace, your gratitude is very kind,” Emily said, turning her focus on the Duchess, “but I have done no great thing for your son.”
“You have! You do not know what a changed man he is since he has known you.” The Duchess had tears in her eyes as she spoke. Emily found herself reaching for a handkerchief and offering it to the Duchess. “Oh, aren’t you sweet. Here I am come to issue an invitation, and within the first few sentences I am crying with happiness on your settee. Pray, forgive the ways of an old woman, like myself. I live purely for the happiness of my children.”
“That is sweet indeed.” Emily urged the Duchess to keep the handkerchief after she dried her tears and attempted to give it back. “You said A –, I mean, you said Lord Tattershall was much changed?” She spoke quickly, trying to cover up her error of nearly addressing him as Aaron, much to the delight of the Duchess and Charity, who had clearly both heard her slip and shared an amused smile between them.
“A shell of a man, he was. I am quite convinced of it. No doubt he has told you his own tale already, so I will not go into it,” the Duchess dismissed the idea away with a wave of her hand before she looked back to Emily another time. “What I do want to say is what lightness you’ve brought to his life. These last few weeks, he has always had a smile on his face. He is either humming some joyous tune or recounting some tale of you. He is genuinely happy. For that, you are entirely to thank.” The Duchess tapped Emily’s hand, warming her heart.
“I am?” she asked, almost stammering with the words, scarcely able to believe it.
“The happiness of two people in love,” Charity said with a wistful smile. “Sometimes I wonder if there is a greater thing in this world.”
“I quite agree,” the Duchess declared with glee.
