It had been both lovely and irritating at the same time, leaving Emily in something of a bother by the time she alit from the carriage at Montvale. Griffin offered his assistance, his hand closing firmly around hers in a way that caused sparks to ignite in the pit of her belly. Her breath hitched, more so when he moved in closer to her person.
“We must speak, Emily. You cannot avoid me forever.” His voice was raspy and strained, like a blade grinding over a whetstone.
“Of course,” she said, attempting a breezy tone that sounded a little too squeaky to her ears. “I am ready whenever you are.”
The low growl of disagreement with which he responded to that comment tickled her insides and sent little shivers scurrying over her shoulders. She raised her chin and took a step forward, deliberately adding distance so she could gather her scattered thoughts. Having him near was like over-imbibing. It muddled her head and prevented her from simple reasoning.
Thankfully, Mary and Caleb appeared at that moment, both coming down the front steps of the house in order to greet them. They were followed by Cassandra and the children who raced past Mary, whooping until they reached Emily, their arms enfolding her in a hug as they piled around her.
Emily laughed in response. She’d not expected such a boisterous welcome and found herself swept off her feet by it, the joy these children provided bubbling up inside like rich champagne. She hugged them close and kissed the tops of their heads while assuring them that she’d missed them all just as much as they had missed her.
“Goodness, Bridget,” Mary chided in a mild tone, “you must release poor Emily so she can move. You too, Edward. One would think you haven’t seen her in years.”
“We’re not used to not having her around,” Daphne explained as she caught Emily’s hand in a grip surprisingly tight for a girl of her age.
“I wasn’t around when we were in London either,” Emily reminded them as she gazed into their upturned faces. Peter was almost the same height as she now. Another year and he would most likely surpass her. A curious tightness squeezed at her throat on that thought. She cleared it quickly to add, “If you will recall, you remained with Cassandra at Coventry House while I stayed with my parents.”
“Yes. But we saw each other every day,” Penelope said.
Bridget nodded in firm agreement of this fact. “So we could accept your absences there.”
“But then you left for Clearview without even saying goodbye,” Edward said with a hint of accusation in his young voice.
Oh dear.
Emily sought out Mary and Cassandra, hoping they’d step in and offer their help. She’d no idea how they had explained her sudden departure from London to the children.
“If you will recall, Emily had to take care of a few things before coming here,” Cassandra said.
“What things?” Peter asked with the deductive alertness of a boy who was not easily fooled by anything.
“Mrs. Howard,” Caleb said, directing attention away from Emily and toward her mother instead. “Allow me to introduce you to the children who have been in your daughter’s care.” His no nonsense voice forced the squabble back into order, and as he called out each name, each child stepped forward with either a bow or a curtsey.
“I am so pleased to make your acquaintances at last,” Georgina informed them with a delight that Emily found surprising. In London, her mother had given no indication of wanting to meet them, but she supposed a lot had changed since then. They’d made peace for one thing, forgiving each other for things that should have been put behind them years ago.
Grinning, Caleb gave his attention to Griffin next while Cassandra and Mary ushered Emily toward the front steps of the house. “You will tell us everything, won’t you?” Mary whispered as they entered the foyer.
“There’s not much to tell,” Emily said.
Cassandra snorted. “You’re a terrible liar.” When Emily raised an eyebrow, her friend said, “Your cheeks have turned scarlet. I can barely see anything else in this dim interior.”
Stepping away from them, Emily patted her cheeks in an effort to cool them. They did feel rather hot and grew increasingly so when Griffin stepped through the door, his gaze meeting hers with unnerving swiftness. Emily glanced away and proceeded to take off her bonnet, which she handed to the waiting butler. She caught a suspicious glance from Cassandra, but was thankfully saved from further scrutiny when Bridget and Daphne began asking if it was time to go in to tea yet.
“Cook has made strawberry tarts in preparation for your arrival,” Penelope explained. “We’re all very eager to enjoy them.”
“By all means then,” Georgina declared. “Lead the way.”
“You wouldn’t rather go freshen up a bit after the journey?” Mary asked.
“I’m not sure the children can wait,” Georgina said with a grin.
Once again, Emily was struck by how happy and relaxed her mother appeared. The almost stern and opinionated woman she’d always known had been utterly transformed. It was remarkable to see. She shared a smile with Mary and Cassandra before following the crowd into the parlor where the tea and tarts stood ready.
Another hour passed before Emily was able to see her allotted bedchamber. Thankfully, the children were too busy savoring their treats and playing with Bridget’s pet cat to ask any more uncomfortable questions. And since Cass and Mary kept Emily occupied with accounts of what they’d been up to recently, she was saved from having to talk about Griffin. Until her bedchamber door closed behind her and she found herself quite alone with her friends.
Both of them smirked with apparent amusement.
Emily narrowed her gaze. “What?”
