Page 64

Chapter Twenty-Three

The dance with her husband was magical. This was the first time they’d danced together. And although it was a simple reel, she felt a closeness with him she’d never felt before. Something changed between them at that moment, and Emily wasn’t quite sure what.

He looked at her differently. There was a twinkle in his smile that added a carefree boyishness to his rugged features. She loved to see that.

What she enjoyed more, however, was the fact that he didn’t hide away in the card room after the dance. Instead, they walked around the ballroom together, engaging strangers in conversation. And through it all, he looked like a proud husband introducing his new wife into the world.

Halfway through the ball, a garter started feeling loose around her thigh and she excused herself to go to the retiring room.

She was flushed and slightly out of breath from spending hours in the crowded ballroom, so she spent a few minutes catching her breath.

The moment she walked back into the ballroom, Bernard stepped in front of her path.

Emily was so shocked to see him that for a moment she froze. The room spun slowly before her eyes, and she swayed on her feet. He immediately stepped toward her and grabbed her by the arm.

Emily wanted to yank her arm away, but a few people were already staring at them, and she didn’t want to cause a scandal.

“What are you doing here, Bernard?” she asked, her voice suddenly breathless.

He offered his arm. “Would you allow me a short promenade around the room?”

Her first instinct was to say no. Not in a million years. Not ever.

A part of her, perhaps a foolish part of her, wished to know what he wanted to say. On the other hand, he’d never given her a chance to say her peace when she needed him.

“I believe that would be unwise,” she said.

“Your refusal might lead to scandal.”

“You must not have heard, but my tolerance for scandal has grown quite a bit since we last saw each other.” Emily scanned the ballroom but couldn’t see her husband anywhere. With her short stature, she was at a distinct disadvantage.

“I just need to say a few words,” he pleaded.

“Then speak.” Emily opened her fan and fluttered it lightly.

“We might be overheard.”

“Then leave.”

“Fine,” he gritted through his teeth. “You always were obstinate.”

“And you always were a coward,” she retorted.

“You are too harsh, my darling.”

“I am not your darling.”

“But you could be again.”

Emily, who was still scanning the crowd for a sign of her husband, snapped her eyes to her former betrothed. His deep blue eyes and his sandy-blond hair with a few curls were so familiar. Yet, nothing stirred inside her. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I’ve made a mistake, Emily. You must realize how difficult it was for me to hear about your betrayal. I couldn’t think clearly for weeks.”

“I have never betrayed you,” Emily seethed. “Can you imagine how difficult it was for me to know the person I trusted the most abandoned me in my time of need because of gossip?”

“I didn’t,” he said, and reached for her hand, but Emily stepped back. She bumped her shoulder against someone passing them by, and they started attracting attention. Blast. She didn’t need this. “My parents forced me to break things off with you,” Bernard continued. “They forced me to start courting Miss Godfrey. And they refused to let me see you.”

“They. They. They.” Emily shook her head. “You’re not a child, Bernard. You’re capable of making your own decisions.”