“Thank you.” Emily affected a smile and waited for Helena to hurry out of the room again. The moment she was gone, that smile vanished, and Emily turned her focus down to the letter. It was the same handwriting, with the ostentatiously curved f’s and s’.
“Not again,” Emily whispered, already knowing the truth of the matter. She tore open the letter, feeling the red wax seal crumble into shards in her lap before unfolding the letter.
There was barely anything to this latest note, just the smallest of lines, which appeared to have been written in a hurry judging by the slanting of the scrawl and how it was a little untidier than usual.
‘End your courtship tonight at the ball. I will not issue another warning. This is the last of them. Beware of what is to follow if you do not end things tonight.’
Chapter Seventeen
“There you are,” Aaron declared as he stepped forward, finding Emily at last. He had lost track of just how many people he had greeted at the ball that night, for he had searched each face with eagerness to find Emily.
She was stunning, in a white gown inlaid with red embroidery that had Aaron’s eyes wandering. It was a bolder gown than she usually wore, and Aaron loved it.
“Here I am,” she said with a playful smile on her lips. Aaron momentarily forgot to greet her family and took her hand, lifting it eagerly to his lips to kiss the back. The way the tops of her cheeks blushed at the kiss made something in his chest warm.
I will ask her tonight.
“Do you think either of them can see us now?” Lord Bolton’s voice made Aaron and Emily turn to face the family at last.
“Barely,” Emily answered, pulling a laugh from them all.
“You’re all very welcome tonight,” Aaron said before he went round the family and greeted them all in turn. He was careful to tell Lady Dowding how he had ensured her favorite cake was on offer that night, and he even told Lord Dowding he had stocked his favorite brand of port.
“Good lord, it seems everyone is here tonight,” Lady Grace murmured in awe as she stepped forward on her brother’s arm, looking over the people that were gathered.
“I reckon you are right. My mother was quite determined to invite everyone of her acquaintance.” Aaron shook his head, marveling too at just how busy the place was.
“There is barely room to dance!” Lady Bolton said, practically whistling at the sight before her. “You promised me a dance tonight, remember Arthur?” she asked, turning to her husband.
“We’ll barely fit on that floor.” He shook his head too, gesturing to where couples were already gathered.
Aaron turned his eyes on Emily, seeing the way she had been staring at him throughout this conversation made him certain of what he was going to do next. He was determined that she would enjoy every part of the night, so, he offered his hand to her.
“Care to brave the busy dancefloor with me, Emily?” he asked. In answer, she placed her hand in his.
“Come on, leave the courting couple to their time together,” Lord Dowding said as he beckoned his family away. “Though I hope you will be there later, Lord Tattershall, for our usual riddles.”
“You can depend upon it,” Aaron nodded his head in Lord Dowding’s direction before leading Emily toward the dancefloor.
They took a few steps away from the family before she subtly pulled on his hand, urging him to stop. He turned his gaze on her, noting the way her bold smile faltered. At that look, he adjusted his hold upon her, so that his fingers entwined with hers.
“What is it?” he asked softly.
“I received another letter,” she whispered, clearly using their time alone to tell him of the secret.
“Another? I hope you burnt it.”
“Not yet.” She shook her head, defiantly. “It said this was my last warning, that I had to end our courtship tonight or else.”
Aaron gripped her hand harder.
“Emily, please tell me you are not going to end this –”
“Of course not!” she said quickly, making him sigh with relief. Fear had struck him so hard at the thought of losing her, it only made him more determined that what he wished to do tonight was right. Once they were married, he would not lose her. “I just wanted you to know.”
He lifted their connected hands to his lips again, but decided to steal a private moment, whilst all the guests were busy with their own conversations. He turned her hand over, pulling the fingers back to reveal her wrist and kissed the exposed skin there. It was quick and fleeting, to prevent anyone seeing them, but it had the effect he so desired, making Emily smile up at him again.
“We will not be cowed by whoever wrote that letter, will we?” he asked with a soft deep voice. She seemed to respond to his tone, practically shivering with delight as she took a breath.
