Emma blinked, her stomach still unsettled, as she tried to find an explanation for her uncomfortableness. “I… I do not know. There is something about that man there which has unsettled me. He was looking over at us as though he were trying to make out Colbridge.”
“You do not think that he could be –”
“I do not know.”
She found herself moving a little closer to Lord Thornbridge, her arm still through his. A shiver ran over her skin and Lord Thornbridge immediately lowered his head, looking down into her face as concern lit like stars in his eyes.
“You are a little chilled perhaps.”
“No.” Shaking her head, she took a breath, surprised at the shakiness she felt. “I am not chilled, I am concerned. I am very glad indeed that you have told me everything, but perhaps now I have come to realize the extent of the darkness which surrounds you. The situation is very grave indeed. I confess that I am a little concerned for your safety, as well as for the safety of Colbridge. He has clearly risked a great deal to come to warn you, and I must admit that I admire him.”
“Admire him for doing such a dangerous thing?”
“For having such integrity,” she answered quietly. “For such a young man to show such integrity is an exceptional quality. He is putting you above his own concerns and that speaks very highly of his character, do you not think?”
“Yes. Indeed I do.” Taking a deep breath, Lord Thornbridge smiled at her. “Let us hope that tomorrow we will learn everything else we need so that I might finally pursue the gentleman responsible for my current state of poverty… and perhaps find a way to gain my fortune back.”
* * *
“You were gonefrom my side a long time.” Diane glanced over at Emma, as they meandered back towards the carriage. “Your mother would be most displeased if she discovered that such a thing had taken place.”
“I am well aware of that,” Emma replied softly, “but be pleased for me, my dear cousin. Lord Thornbridge and I have decided that we shall continue our acquaintance. There will be no more barriers between us.”
Diane stopped suddenly, turning to face Emma, her fingers grasping her arm.
“Is that the truth?”
Laughing softly, Emma nodded.
“Yes, I assure you it is quite true. There is an understanding between us now, something that I do not believe will ever again be shaken. You can be assured that there is nothing but happiness between us, even though I fully expect there to be a great deal of difficulty still.”
Diane’s eyes widened.
“Wait, you mean to say that there are still some problems?”
“Not between myself and Lord Thornbridge,” Emma replied quietly. “He has told me the truth. His situation is rather difficult, I admit, but I will not step away from him as he feared.”
Diane caught her breath.
“You mean to saythatis why he did not come close to you these last few weeks? Because he has been afraid that you will no longer wish to be close to him because of his situation, whatever it may be?”
“Yes, that is it precisely.”
Diane threw up her hands.
“What a foolish fellow. Even I could see that you have a great deal of affection for him! I confess that I am very glad to hear that you are not the sort of young woman to be put off a gentleman simply because of wealth.”
“I thank you.” Her smile dipped. “You do not think that I am being foolish then?”
Her cousin shook her head, suddenly serious.
“No, my dear. I believe that you are doing what every young lady does when they are in love.”
Emma blinked in surprise, her eyes widening as she stared at her cousin, only for a broken laugh to come from her as she shook her head.
“I am not in love with Lord Thornbridge. Such an emotion takes time to develop, does it not? And I have not known him long enough.”
“I do not think that it is a requirement for time to pass before one can experience such a great depth of emotion.”
