Violet straightened then stared at him hard. “You allowed me to think you were drunk to be alone with me?”
“Yes, I did.” He felt absolutely no shame in doing so.
Perhaps he was a little more than beery, but not quite foxed. Not that it mattered. He and Violet were alone in the moonlight without a chaperone in sight.
“Then why were the two of you so loud?”
“When we stopped to check on Tommy, he said something…I cannot even recall now, which reminded Liam of a story from when we were boys, and then before I knew it, we relived the tale, and ended up laughing.” He chuckled. “However, I do apologize for disturbing you.” It hadn’t been Emory’s intention to draw attention to himself, but he couldn’t be sorry for the result either.
“Very well, if you insist, will you please escort me home?”
“It would be my utmost pleasure.” He offered his arm, but Violet did not take it. Instead, she clasped her hands behind her back, chin high, then set off in the direction of the Harley home. Therefore, he was forced to walk beside her without the benefit of touch. He liked it when they touched. He enjoyed her hand on his sleeve, and having her person near his, their arms touching.
“Though I fear I may regret your response, given I don’t believe for a moment that you are anywhere near sober, but what did your brother mean about me making you see reason.”
“Ah, yes, I explained our talk this afternoon, and how I should return to my early objective in finding a wife so that I might have a marriage as my parents and not settle for the sake of an heir.”
“I take it they are happily married.”
“Devoted to one another,” he answered. “While father was chastising me for not giving any lady in Society enough of a chance to win my heart, my mother was disparaging such notions that titles and connections were all that mattered.” He leaned in to confess. “She did not approve of me attending the house party because she knew that I was looking to marry quickly.”
“Your mother sounds very wise.”
“She is,” he agreed with a quick nod, which he immediately regretted as he suffered a moment of dizziness. Perhaps he had drunk more than he realized.
“They are a comfort to the other, and they fight, and they love, but in the end, they are friends and devoted to the other.”
“You mentioned devotion,” Violet reminded him.
“Yes, I suppose I did.”
“We are here,” she announced as they came to a stop before the Harley home.
Emory glanced up to note that they stood before the Harley home. They’d arrived too quickly. He should have made her walk slower.
“Are you certain you can return on your own?”
“You may escort me if you wish,” he suggested.
“Would you then insist on returning me here, Lord Ferrard.”
“Of course.”
“Then the two of us would spend the night walking each other back and forth. Is that what you propose?”
“It is a lovely night,” he commented.
“To do so would be rather ridiculous would it not?”
Not if it meant that they could spend more time with one another without interruption, as he really did like Violet and enjoyed being with her even when she thought him a fool.
“Lord Ferrard?” she questioned.
“I suppose it would be ridiculous,” he finally admitted, disappointed that she didn’t want to spend the night strolling the streets with him.
“Well then, good night.”
Emory stared at her lips.
