“No. It’s probably Elton. He used to come over all the time before Taylor met West. Poor guy. I think he was a bit in love with her.”
Hardly. George wasn’t sure Elton was capable of loving a person as much as he loved ideas and the genius of his own mind. Elton was writing yet another book on ancient religions and likely needed a study break. Emma was the only neighbor he had under the age of sixty-five.
Emma put down the popcorn bowl and jumped up to get the door.
“Check the peephole, Emma.”
She saluted in agreement before leaving the room.
After a few seconds, Elton’s soft chuckle echoed from the front door, followed by Emma’s gentle shushing. Mr. Woodhouse would be anxious about guests over if he woke.
Elton strolled into the den first and eyed the TV. Even at this time of night, he was dressed in slacks and a pinstriped dress shirt, paired with a skinny tie. “This? This is what you two are watching? Dr. Knightley, I have to admit I’m shocked.”
It wasn’t the first time Elton had called him Dr. Knightley. There was no point in correcting him again. At this point, it was mockery, which was better left unacknowledged. Elton was not a threat to him, physically or intellectually, though he might think of himself as one.
Emma sat next to George, and Elton joined her other side, helping himself to the popcorn. It was a tight fit for three, and George wondered what bothered him more, that he wanted Emma all to himself or that Elton seemed to feel the same way. Neither would concede the loveseat to the other and go sit on the couch alone with the bad view of the TV. He wondered what Emma would think of their unspoken tug-o-war over her.
“When is Taylor getting back?” Elton asked.
Emma tossed George a knowing look before answering. “She and West return next Saturday. But then they’re packing up and moving to Santa Barbara. She’s already found a job there.”
Elton covered her hand with his. “I’m sorry, Emma. I know how much you relied on her.”
George eyed Elton’s bony hand and gave an inward sigh of relief when he removed it.
Emma, oblivious to the minds of men, as always, settled back against the loveseat and stared at the frozen screen. “You up for a little reality TV, Elton?”
“I suppose. My reading on the Eleusinian Mysteries can wait.”
Emma cocked her head. “That’s the one about ancient Greece, right?”
“Very good, Emma.” Elton’s ice blue eyes lit up in admiration. “You listen very well.”
Emma couldn’t resist a compliment. She blushed prettily and pretended to examine her fingernails.
George picked up the abandoned remote control and turned the show back on. “At this rate, we’ll be watching this one episode all night.”
Emma giggled. “George is eager to see what happens to Donny and Denise.”
“Really?” Elton put an arm around the back of the loveseat, which no doubt would eventually make its way around Emma. “Which two are they? Are we rooting for them to win?”
George was glad Emma was the one to shush him so he didn’t have to.
“Just watch, Elton,” she murmured when he asked again. “The couple with the blue aprons.”
“What’s going to happen to them?” Elton asked.
They both shushed him.
Chapter 4♥My Niece, Jane
Emma finished going over her work calendar and ran to get the door. Harriet was right on time for the second day in a row. With any luck, Emma could get back to wardrobe consultations by the end of the week.
“Good morning, Miss Woodhouse.” Harriet’s radiant smile matched her outfit today, a bright blue blouse with large red cherries all over it and bright yellow wide-leg pants. It went against everything Emma had ever taught people about blending colors or flattering their body type, but somehow on Harriet it all worked.
“Granddad is in here.” Emma led the way to the kitchen, where Granddad was frowning at his runny oatmeal. Yes, Emma had eyeballed the amount of water needed. She’d never do it again. If only there weren’t an infinite number of ways to mess up just about every domestic task.
“Let me see the bowl. I’ll make you a new one.” Emma took it from him and went over to the garbage to scrape it out.
