“Most extraordinary.” Diane touched her arm. “Come, we should not stand on the street talking. I am aware that your mother and father have not returned as yet, but I am sure that they will do so very soon – and they would not be pleased to see us both standing here.”
“I will speak to Lord Thornbridge about this.”
It was not until Diane put a hand on her shoulder that Emma realized that she had spoken aloud.
“Forgive me for doubting you,” her cousin said quietly as they entered the house. “There is certainly something quite strange taking place, with regard to Lord Thornbridge. However, I am not convinced that it is something you ought to delve into, Emma. It is his business, surely. Why should you have any part in it?”
That was a question which, as yet, Emma could not answer.
“I feel as though it is demanded of me.” Emma let out a quiet sigh, aware that what she had said was no explanation at all. “Lord Thornbridge said that he ended our acquaintance because he had no wish to continue our connection, but after what I have seen and witnessed, I cannot believe that he had any real desire to do so. It is not as though he had continued his acquaintance with any other young lady. He has altered his behavior immensely! First retreating to his estate, and then returning to London, but without any eagerness for company.” Sighing, she shook her head. “And, if I am to be honest, it would not be truthful to state that I have no wish for courtship with Lord Thornbridge. The more time I have spent with him, the more I wish to be in his company. To have that taken from me without explanation when there is a connection between us, does not seem fair. There is something else which is driving Lord Thornbridge’s decision, I am quite sure of it.”
“But it is still not for you to pursue that,” Diane replied. “If he does not feel able to continue your connection then surely that is all you can do.”
Emma shook her head. She knew full well what was expected of her as a young lady, but she refused to allow herself to simply comply with that expectation.
“I cannot. My heart will not allow it.”
Diane sighed, then let out an exclamation.
“Good gracious, your hand!” She quickly put out one hand, grabbing Emma’s. “Do not touch your gown!” Emma looked down at it, realizing that her hand had become dirty simply from grasping Lord Thornbridge’s hand but instead, she felt a sense of relief, recalling the touch of their fingers which had sent such warmth into her heart.
Much to her relief, her cousin became so distracted by the state of her hand, which she immediately attempted to wipe clean using her handkerchief, and the concerns over her gown, that the discussion about Lord Thornbridge was brought to a close. Emma, however, did not forget him. Even as she washed and thereafter prepared for bed, he was constantly in her mind. Something was going on, for the whole thing was incomprehensible to her mind. That was, of course, not really any of her business, but she was still quite determined to discover the truth. Her heart would let her do nothing less.
* * *
“Good evening, Lord Thornbridge.”Emma did not hesitate but made her way directly toward the gentleman the moment she arrived. He was standing with another gentleman, and thus she turned her smile toward him. “I see your friend is with you also. Good evening, Lord Wiltsham. I am pleased to see you again.”
Obviously a little surprised at her bold manner, it took Lord Thornbridge a moment to respond to her. “Yes, he is, as you can see.”
“I am pleased to see you again, Lady Emma.”
For whatever reason, Lord Wiltsham practically beamed at her, as if he were truly delighted to see her again. Had Lord Thornbridge mentioned her to him often in conversation? And if he had, in what capacity?
“I do hope that our conversation this evening will be on more…ah, suitable matters than the strange explanation I was forced to give you at our last meeting!” he continued, bringing a smile to Emma’s lips and to the face of her friend. Lord Thornbridge frowned. He did not appear pleased that such a thing had been said.
“I must hope so also.” Turning her attention back to Lord Thornbridge, and knowing that her cousin was still a few steps behind her, she continued, with resolve. “Might I be so bold as to ask, Lord Thornbridge, if you might walk with me for a short while? This night has many pleasures to offer, but I think I should find the greatest enjoyment in your company.”
Lord Thornbridge’s eyebrows lifted at this, and for a moment Emma was concerned that he might refuse her. The next second, however, he muttered something that she could not quite make out and then nodded.
“My cousin will join us also, of course,” Emma murmured, gesturing to where Diane was standing. “It would not be proper for me to walk about with you otherwise, not even in a room as crowded as this.”
“I quite understand.”
Much to her surprise, he offered her his arm. It was a gentlemanly gesture, certainly, but after everything that they had shared, it seemed rather significant to her. She took his arm quickly, aware of the thrill which ran through her heart as she did so. Lord Thornbridge was quickly becoming a most enigmatic gentleman and she wanted very much to understand him. He had betrayed himself to her on a few occasions already – for the evening he had told her their acquaintance was coming to an end, he had touched her hand and told her he wished it were not so. And even last evening, that brief touch had said so much. What else was she to take from that, other than the fact that he still cared for her? He was hiding it from her, certainly, although as yet she did not know why.
“You have come to speak with me about last evening.” Lord Thornbridge got directly to the point. “I am aware that you will think me either most ridiculous or very strange indeed.”
“Or perhaps both,” she quipped, looking up at him, but there came no smile. This was not the gentleman she had spent the first few weeks of the Season with. This was a very different gentleman indeed.
“I give you my apologies.” Lord Thornbridge shrugged his shoulder, lifting her arm slightly. “I am afraid that there is nothing more I can do. I do hope that your gown was not ruined.”
Emma started shaking her head.
“I care nothing for excuses, not when I am certain that there is a great deal more to your present circumstances than you are willing to admit to me.”
“And why should I have any requirement to admit anything to you?”
He lifted an eyebrow and Emma opened her mouth to offer him some quick and sharp retort, only to close it again as a small frown flicked across her forehead. There was no immediate answer to such a question as that, no reason as to why Lord Thornbridge should be obliged to tell her anything.
