Diane managed to point in Lord Thornbridge’s direction without so much as turning her head or making it in any way apparent that she was looking at him. It was only a swift flick of her eyes that told Emma precisely where Lord Thornbridge was.
Placing a small smile upon her lips, Emma turned her head from the left to the right and caught sight of him, just as he caught sight of her. Her stomach swirled with a delightful notion that perhaps somehow their souls had known that the other was present, and that was why their eyes had caught so.
“He is looking at me.”
“Of course he is.” Diane smiled. “I have told you that you are exceptionally handsome this evening. I am certain that Lord Thornbridge has noticed.”
Emma smiled, but that quickly faded when she noticed that Lord Thornbridge was not, himself, smiling. In fact, a line had formed between his brows, even though his gaze remained fixed on her. Recalling what she had witnessed, Emma immediately placed a smile upon her lips as she nodded her head in his direction, silently praying that he would accept her smile as a promise that all was well between them. Lord Thornbridge inclined his head to her in return, but there was still no smile. Perhaps he was feeling much too awkward to do such a thing and would require the chance to speak with her before he could feel at ease.
“He approaches,” Diane murmured as Emma licked her lips, a little surprised at how nervous she felt. Yes, Lord Thornbridge was devastatingly handsome and yes, they had spent a good deal of time in each other’s company thus far, but she had never felt such anxiety before. Perhaps it was knowing that she had seen him in a particular state that brought her such nervousness. Yes, she considered lifting her chin slightly, as though to garner confidence within her own self, that wasexactlywhy she was feeling so.
“Good evening.” Lord Thornbridge inclined his head rather sharply, and Emma blinked in surprise, managing to return the gesture with a curtsey, although it took her a matter of moments to recover herself fully. The man wasstillnot smiling, and her own heart was clamoring with a sudden, devastating fear. Surely he could not tell her now that there was something amiss with what she had witnessed? Had there been someone else in the room other than Lord Wiltsham, someone who might now ruin her reputation?
“This is most untoward, but might I beg a moment?”
Lord Thornbridge directed his attention to Emma, and she glanced towards Diane, who nodded slowly.
“You will not mind if I remain a few steps behind you, Lord Thornbridge.”
It was not a question, but rather a statement, and Lord Thornbridge nodded immediately.
“But of course.”
He turned, but did not offer Emma his arm. She fell into step beside him, her brow creased with worry as they walked together in silence for some moments. The noise of the crowd around them and the slow steps they took to move around the room were rather difficult and, eventually, it all became unbearable, and Emma found herself having to speak.
“Lord Thornbridge, pray, do not trouble yourself. I am not at all upset with what happened and I beg you not to permit it to trouble your mind any longer.”
Lord Thornbridge blinked, as though what she had said was of great astonishment to him. Did he think her too bold? Silently, Emma cursed herself for her quick tongue. Perhaps she ought to have waited for him to speak, as her cousin had suggested.
“This afternoon… yes, yes, of course.” Lord Thornbridge cleared his throat gruffly, his hands clasped behind his back. “A most unfortunate moment. I had instructed my butler to permit anyone who called to enter without introduction, quite forgetting that I had invited you to take tea with me. You will forgive me, I hope.”
“Yes, of course.”
Emma caught the edge of his glance towards her, seeing his furrowed brow. This was not what he had intended to discuss. It did not seem to have even occurred to him, given the astonishment in his voice.
“There is something which I have wanted to discuss with you, however,” Lord Thornbridge continued. “It is that our acquaintance, as such, must cease. I cannot give you my reasons for this, only to say that I am required back at my estate.”
Emma slowed her steps, her breath caught in her chest and her mind immediately swirling with a thousand ideas as to why Lord Thornbridge was stepping away from London. Had something occurred to push him away from this place? Something to do with what she had seen? And if so, what could it be?
“I shall look forward to your return, of course.” Her voice was weak, and Emma cursed her foolishness, for Lord Thornbridge was clearly in some distress. The last thing he required was for her weakness to be so apparent. “How devastating that you will have to leave London in the middle of the Season! That must be most disappointing. Whatever has occurred must be of the utmost seriousness.” Lord Thornbridge said nothing and when Emma dared another glance towards his face, she saw that he was frowning still, and that his jaw was rather tight. There was something of great severity occurring and, as yet, she had very little idea of what it might be. It was not her place to know, of course, but try as she might, she could not help her curiosity from rising. “Will you be going away from London for a great length of time?”
“I cannot say.” Lord Thornbridge was not looking toward her. “It is a serious situation, certainly, but I may be able to return to London before the end of the Season. I hope to be able to do so, at least.”
Emma’s heart lifted suddenly.
“Then I shall be glad to wait for you,” she replied only for Lord Thornbridge’s frown to grow even deeper. “If you think you will return before the end of the Season, then –”
“Nothing of what we have shared will be able to continue, Lady Emma.”
The abruptness of his statement had her stumbling, but Lord Thornbridge did not even seem to notice. She stopped, but he continued walking as Emma caught her breath, one hand reaching to rest lightly against her heart as she stared after him. Eventually he turned and, his eyebrows lifting in evident astonishment, came back towards her.
“Whatever do you mean?”
Emma’s heart beat so furiously that she did not think she would be able to hear his reply. Everything was beginning to shake and crumble around her, and it was all so very devastating that she looked around for something which might support her.
Lord Thornbridge cleared his throat and looked away.
“It is most unfortunate,” he stated, as though he were talking about the weather that had suddenly grown very dark and dim. “I am afraid there cannot be any continuation of our close acquaintance. Do you understand what I am saying to you?” Emma looked up into his face, certain that his grey eyes had never been so dark before. Now they seemed swathed in shadow. Her breath ran around her lungs, elusive and fretful. “Lady Emma.”
