She mumbled incoherently at the same time she opened her eyes.
“What have you done with your spectacles? I don’t want one of us to step on them.”
She blinked and then nodded slowly. “Um.” Her eyes flashed around and then settled on his chest. “Oh. Yes.” And then she reached under his coat and pulled them out of his shirt.
She required a few attempts before she slid them properly onto her face.
Her vulnerability nearly had him spouting all sorts of nonsense he’d avoid.
“Shall we go back, then?” Emily suggested before checking her gown. At his expression, she glanced down and those brows of hers flew nearly to her hairline. “Oh!”
“Oh, indeed.” Marcus felt himself laugh for the first time since she’d given him the news about Meggie.
He didn’t want to think about that. About what it all meant. Instead, he deftly plucked the leaves from her tumbled coiffure, telling her to turn so he could get them all.
When he first became acquainted with Miss Emily Goodnight, he’d considered her hair to be rather plain, mousy.
Now, he never failed to notice the burnished sheen hidden amongst the browns. Honey-blond strands that shone a golden hue in the sunshine and sparkled in candlelight.
Stunning really.
Marcus smoothed the back of her gown while she adjusted her bodice and sleeves. Any excuse to continue touching one another. Marcus ignored the mocking taunt of his heart. He would not admit to this.
He merely succumbed.
“Better now?” Emily continued fussing until he took hold of her hands.
He stilled her. “Better.” He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.
“I really am sorry, Marcus. I’m so sorry.”
Marcus caught the hint of one last tear on her lash and then pressed another kiss against her temple. “I know, Emily, I know.”
Bad Timing
As Cecily and Emily returned to the carriage, Cecily reached out and removed a few more leaves from Emily’s hair. “I take it Lord Blakely accepted your apology, then?” she whispered before climbing onto the well-sprung vehicle.
Emily crouched through the opening without answering and then waited for Mr. Nottingham to hand in little Finn.
The gentlemen would continue riding outside.
Cecily took the baby with a considerable glint in her eyes. Emily didn’t respond until they began moving again.
“He did.” Emily felt better for it. But when they’d returned to join the other couple, he’d dropped her hand and held himself stiffly once again.
Of course, any outward sign of emotion would be considered ill-mannered, except that they were to make the journey with another couple who frequently brushed up against the other, often held hands, and expressed their affection for one another with every glance they exchanged.
They were traveling with a married couple who’d married for nothing but love.
And not that Emily would have him make any intimate gestures in front of the Nottinghams, but did he have to be soverystandoffish?
Efficient and brisk in manner, Marcus attended to the horses instead of seating himself beside her again.
“Except?” Cecily’s question brought her back to the present. “I distinctly heard an ‘except’ following your answer.”
“Except… Oh, I don’t know, Cecily. Everything seemed fine. More than fine! Afterward even. But then when we returned…”
Cecily nodded and scrunched up her face. “Stephen is unhappy with me as well.”
