“We had so much fun today,” Emily continued before Louise could respond. “First, the dancing lesson with Lady Merrow, where Buttercup learned to waltz, and then our play! Lady Merrow said we should do more performances. Maybe next time you could be Juliet, Louise!”
Aaron saw Louise’s throat work as she swallowed. “Perhaps, darling. We’ll see.”
“It started with the most wonderful dance lesson this morning,” Lady Merrow explained to Aaron. “Emily was worried she couldn’t dance, so we taught her. Even Buttercup joined in.”
“Buttercup waltzed!” Emily added proudly. “He kept perfect time with his tail!”
“And that gave us the idea for the play,” Lady Merrow continued. “If a dog could waltz, surely he could play Romeo.”
“Louise was brilliant at the piano,” Emily turned to her sister, bouncing with remembered excitement. “She played for ages and ages without stopping, and she was smiling the whole time. Weren’t you, Louise?”
Louise rose abruptly, color flooding her cheeks. “I should check on the accounts. The household ledgers need reconciling before the month’s end.”
“The accounts?” Emily’s face fell. “But we were having such fun talking about our day.”
“I know, darling, but duty calls.” Louise kissed Emily’s forehead quickly, avoiding Aaron’s gaze entirely. “Lady Merrow will tell you all about her plans for tomorrow’s adventures.”
She fled before anyone could respond. Aaron stood holding a cushion, feeling oddly bereft. The warmth her laughter had kindled in his chest remained, but now it ached with everything unsaid between them.
“She worries too much,” Cecilia observed, watching him with those too-knowing eyes. “About her brother, about Emily, about the future. Sometimes I think she’s forgotten she’s allowed to simply be happy.”
Aaron said nothing, but his aunt continued as if he had.
“Of course, she’s not the only one in this house who’s forgotten that.”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Aaron said stiffly, “I have work to do.”
“Of course you do.” Cecilia’s tone suggested she knew exactly what he was running from. “Heaven forbid you simply enjoy yourself for a moment.”
Aaron retreated to his study, closing the door firmly behind him.
No matter how hard he tried to focus, he couldn’t escape the echo of Louise’s laughter. Couldn’t forget how natural it hadfelt to sit beside her, watching Emily’s performance, sharing a moment of simple joy.
He thought of Howlett’s message, of George still missing, of Wigram and his smuggling operation.
He should tell Louise, prepare her for the possibility that her brother might never be found. Or worse, he might be found too late.
But she had been happy. Truly happy, if only for a moment. How could he be the one to destroy that?
He could protect Louise from the truth a little longer. Could give her these last days before the ball without the shadow of her brother’s danger darkening them.
The image of her laughing rose unbidden in his mind. The way her entire face had transformed, years of worry falling away to reveal the woman beneath.
Beautiful. Vivacious. Alive.
Aaron set down his pen, running a hand through his hair.
Who was he fooling? His control had shattered the moment she laughed. His distance had crumbled when she smiled. His walls had fallen so gradually he hadn’t noticed until he stood in their ruins, wanting nothing more than to be the reason for her joy.
A knock interrupted his brooding. Emily peered around the door.
“Your Grace? I forgot to thank you for watching our play.”
“It was my pleasure.”
She entered fully, approaching his desk with unusual hesitancy. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
