Then why does my heart cry out in pain whenever I think of such a thing? Why do I think of her beautiful eyes, her gentle smile, and her warm company when I am meant to be forgetting about her?
“Be careful.” Lord Wiltsham murmured, getting up to pour himself another brandy. “It may be that she dogs not only your steps, but also your heart, so that, try as you might, you will never be able to free yourself from her. I say this not to mock you nor manipulate you, but rather to warn you.”
Henry resisted the urge to shake his head. His friend was doing what he could to advise him, but he did not know the depths of Henry’s determination. That had always been one of his strengths; the ability to fix his mind on one particular thing and let it dominate his thoughts and his intentions until it was resolved.
“We shall see,” he murmured, half to himself. “I amsureI shall succeed.”
Chapter Four
“Did you hear?” As she grasped her hand, Diane’s sparkling eyes looked into Emma’s. “Lord Thornbridge has returned!”
Emma blinked, doing her best to keep her explosion of astonishment hidden.
“I am glad that he has been able to return sooner than he thought.”
It came as something of a relief to her to know that he was not to be absent any longer. As yet, she had not allowed thetonto know that he had decided to end their connection. Instead, she had said only that he had been forced to leave London and that she was very much looking forward to his return, whenever he was able.
“He has not written to you? He has not told you himself that he is back in London?”
Emma swallowed. She had not told her cousin the truth – had not told anyone the truth, but therewasa growing closeness between them these last few weeks. Perhaps she ought to be honest with her. Perhaps this was the time.
“No, he has not.” Chewing her lip for a moment, she took in a breath. “If I speak the truth to you, will you promise not to tell anyone else? Including my mother?”
Her cousin blinked in surprise, but nodded.
“Yes, of course, my dear. Is there something troubling you?” Her eyes widened in evident concern. “He has not run away from London to avoid his obligations to you?”
Immediately, a flush rose on Emma’s cheeks.
“I was not caught in any situation with Lord Thornbridge,” she answered, quietly, suddenly unable to look at her cousin. “I would not be as foolish as that. Besides which, he is a gentleman. You should know that he would not behave so.”
Diane laughed.
“My dear cousin, I have known a great many gentlemen, andallof them can be guilty of many foolish actions given the right circumstances.”
Emma’s eyebrows lifted, but she said nothing, and her cousin too lapsed into silence, waiting for Emma to continue the conversation. But as the carriage rolled them towards town, she found herself struggling to find the right words.
“Diane, do you recall the afternoon when we walked into a most awkward situation with Lord Thornbridge?”
Immediately, Diane let out a short bark of laughter.
“Certainly I do. It was most awkward and highly embarrassing, although I confess, I still find it a little mirthful also.”
“Indeed.” Forcing a quick smile to her lips, Emma continued quickly. “I pushed you out of the room if I remember. But I am certain that I saw something you did not, else I am certain you would have mentioned it before now.” Her cousin’s smile immediately shattered, her mouth ajar as her eyes flared wide. Shaking her head, Emma laughed and took her cousin’s hand briefly. “No, I do not mean that I saw anything inappropriate. You need not have any concern in that regard.” Her smile faded. “What I did see, however, was that Lord Thornbridge’s back was covered in what appeared to be a thousand bruises. There were some significant red marks also. At first, I considered that perhaps Lord Wiltsham had been the one to injure him so. But I recalled that he and Lord Wiltsham are great friends, and I did not think that the fellow would do such a thing to him.”
Diane blinked rapidly and turned her eyes to the window. She said nothing, her fingers touching her lips.
“Good gracious,” she murmured after a moment or two. “How very strange. It may be that Lord Thornbridge enjoys violent sports. Perhaps that is one of his pastimes.”
Having never considered this, Emma nodded slowly.
“That may be so. However, I believe that what happened next is linked to what I witnessed.”
“What do you mean?”
“I am speaking of Lord Thornbridge removing our connection.”
Diane shook her head.
