Emma sitting at the table as my aunt smiled brightly at her and my uncle gaped at her had not been what I thought I’d walk into this morning. I could tell by the look of panic on Ashington’s face that Emma’s appearance had been one orchestrated by Emma alone. I did feel sympathy for Ashington, for I knew he did not plan on introducing Emma to us this way if at all. Something I should remember when my thoughts wanted to trust him and believe we might have a future.
Emma turned in her seat at my greeting and she smiled at me mischievously with her mouth full of sweet pastry. “Did you have to come searching for the sweets this morning?” I asked her. “Tis a good thing you came here then. There seems to be an abundance,” I said as I took the seat beside her.
She managed to swallow her mouth full. “It will be worth it even after Alice finds me,” she said with such passion I chuckled.
“I believe you are right. Have they brought you hot chocolate yet?” I asked her.
She shook her head no and frowned, looking around toward the doorway where a servant stood looking as panicked as Ashington had seemed. “I do so hope they bring it soon before I choke,” she told me.
“Indeed,” I agreed then smiled at the young server. “Might Lady Emma and I have some hot chocolate?” I asked her.
The server glanced warily toward Ashington, who nodded once, and then scurried out of the room back toward the kitchen, where I was sure she would tell everyone of who had come to the dining room.
I met my aunt’s curious gaze. She was fascinated and I knew she had a dozen questions for me once we were alone. Perhaps I should have acted as if I hadn’t met Emma but lying in front of a child seemed wrong. I couldn’t make myself do it. She was so young and taking in everything she witnessed around her. I did not want her to remember me as someone who told untruths. Even if it were an untruth her uncle had wanted.
“Aunt Harriet, Emma enjoys biscuits and jam just as much as you do. I believe the two of you have much in common,” I informed her.
Aunt Harriet’s eyes lit up as she studied Emma. She was truly charmed by the girl, but it was very difficult not to be.
“I don’t know many people who don’t love a tasty jam with their biscuit,” Aunt Harriet said smiling.
Emma frowned then. “Alice doesn’t. She says jam is much too sweet and not at all needed on a biscuit.”
“Who is Alice?” Aunt Harriet then asked unable to stop herself.
“My governess,” Emma replied.
Aunt Harriet nodded her head then as if that made all the sense in the world. “I never had a governess but I did read about them in my books. They don’t appear to be the sort that enjoys treats,” Aunt Harriet said.
Emma crawled back up to her knees then and reached for another pastry. “Oh, they’re not. Alice won’t care at all for these pastries,” Emma informed us.
Ashington cleared his throat then, reminding us all that he too was in the room. I turned my head to look his way and he was studying me. I waited for the inevitable question and wondered if he would ask me here in front of my aunt and uncle or when we were alone.
“When did you meet Emma, Lady Miriam?” he asked me, clearing that up rather quickly.
I glanced down at Emma and gave her an apologetic smile. For I would not lie for her, but I would do my best to make it my fault and not hers that we met in the forest path.
Turning to look back at him, I held the same smile and shrugged. “I was out for a walk and found a lovely path in the forest. I decided to take it and while enjoying the beauty around me, I came upon what I first believed might be a fairy child. However, Lady Emma assured me she was not.” Emma giggled beside me at my elaboration of the story.
“I see,” Ashington said, not looking amused.
“Yes, well, she introduced herself and I as well. Then we spoke of jam and biscuits and hot chocolate before she disappeared beyond the path, leaving me to believe I had, in fact, met one of the Fae. I was pleasantly surprised to see her this morning when I entered the dining room. Would have been a terrible shame to leave Chatwick Hall believing Lady Emma to be a fairy child when clearly she is a very bright young lady.”
Ashington understood the meaning behind my words even though they had been masked for Emma’s sake. She had been a secret he hadn’t intended to share with me. Yet last night, I had forgotten all about his secret and done things a proper lady wouldn’t do. I trusted him because I wanted him to be worth my trust. However, in the light of day with Emma beside me, it was hard to do that any longer.
“I see,” he said finally.
“Emma,” a stern yet distraught voice came from the doorway, and we all turned our heads to see who I could only assume was Alice, the governess. Her hair was pulled up tightly on her head and the glasses perched on her nose only made her pinched expression appear more severe. I felt the sudden need to protect Emma.
“Hello, Alice. I trust you slept well,” Emma replied, not seeming frightened at all.
“I am sorry, Lord Ashington,” Alice said, looking completely horrified. “I thought she was sleeping when I left the cottage to go get tea. When I arrived back, the door was locked. I thought she’d locked me out and she was inside.”
Ashington didn’t appear angry at the governess. He also didn’t seem surprised by Emma’s actions. Did she do these sorts of things often? I bit back a smile at the thought. What a mischievous little girl.
“Twas the last morning here. I wanted to meet everyone,” Emma said with her shoulders straight and her head held high. No fear in her expression. It was as if she was challenging them both.
“Emma, we spoke of this last night,” Alice said, sounding more exasperated than angry this time.
“I did not like your response,” Emma told her then turned back in her seat and took another bite of pastry.
Ashington stood then and held out his hand toward Emma. “You’ve had your introduction. Tis time you left. Your carriage back to London awaits,” he told her.
Emma sighed and looked longingly at the half-eaten pastry in her hand.
“You may take the pastry with you,” Ashington informed her.
Emma’s face immediately brightened and she smiled up at me. “It was a pleasure seeing you again. I truly hope it won’t be the last,” she said then climbed down out of her chair and started toward Ashington.
Just before she reached him, she spun around and looked at Aunt Harriet. “It was a pleasure meeting you, too,” she said then looked toward my uncle. “We did not speak but hello,” she told him then slipped her hand into Ashington’s and happily let him lead her from the dining room.
Silence fell over the room as my aunt and uncle both stared at me. I didn’t have their answers. I was afraid what this appeared to be… who Emma appeared to be was indeed correct. It did not make me dislike the child, but I feared if word about her were to ever leak to the ton, things could go very differently. The idea made my stomach sick. She was so full of life and a lovely spirit.
“This cannot end well,” Uncle Alfred said.
“We do not know that,” Aunt Harriet snapped at him but even she didn’t look convinced.
“I’m sorry I am late, yet again,” Whitney said as she breezed into the dining room. “I cannot seem to rise at a decent hour while staying here.”