Mary laughed. “Is that all you have to say for yourself?”
“The simmering air between you and Griffin did not go unnoticed,” Cassandra explained.
Emily went to the window and glanced out at the garden below. It was pretty and inviting, with graveled walkways and rosebushes promising a wild display of color and fragrance in the months to come. “I cannot imagine what you are referring to.”
“And we are but a pair of blind simpletons,” Mary murmured. “Come now. We have always been open and honest with each other.”
“And we will get the truth out of you one way or the other,” Cassandra said with a grin.
Emily turned to face them. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, very well.” She studied their eager expressions for a second before saying, “Griffin kissed me at your ball, Mary. Mama witnessed the whole thing and demanded we marry. So I ran.”
“I knew it had to be something like that,” Mary said, her voice rising in a squeak of excitement. “Didn’t I tell you, Cass?” She returned her attention to Emily while Cassandra nodded. “And Griffin went in pursuit.”
“The man is obviously smitten,” Cassandra said with a bounce in her voice.
Emily shook her head. “No, he isn’t. He was merely trying to do the gentlemanly thing by ensuring the safety of a stubborn woman who was quite determined to quit his company.”
A second of silence ensued. It was followed by her friends’ explosive laughter. “Is that what you think?” Mary asked. When Emily slowly nodded, she said, “Even Caleb suggested that you and his brother would eventually marry. And that wasbeforehe kissed you at the ball.”
“What?”
“The two of you have been eyeing each other since the moment you first met,” Cassandra said. “Except now…” She scrunched her nose and peered at Emily. “You’re more flustered around him while he looks like he’d appreciate the chance to get you alone somewhere.”
“It’s nothing really. It’s just—”
“Did anything else happen between you two at Clearview?” Mary asked with a wry smile that hinted at scandal.
“No!” Emily cleared her throat. “My mother was there for the most part. In fact, it’s the oddest thing, but I do believe Griffin has somehow helped us overcome our differences.”
“That’s wonderful,” Cassandra said.
Mary nodded. “I quite agree.” She was silent a moment before asking, “Are you sure nothing else happened between you and Griffin?”
“Well, I…” Oh, for heaven’s sake, lying to her friends was impossible. “He may have kissed me again. Or rather, I may have kissed him. I’m actually not sure which.”
Cassandra squealed and Mary laughed. “I knew it!” Mary exclaimed. “The fire in his eyes when he looks at you suggests that there has to be more to your recent interaction than the one kiss you shared with each other at the ball.”
“You have to tell us everything,” Cassandra said. She took a seat on Emily’s bed and patted the spot beside her.
With a sigh, Emily surrendered. She spent the next several minutes giving her friends a quick outline of everything that had occurred since the moment she’d spotted Mr. Bale and had suggested they go for a walk together in the garden.
“And you’re certain that Griffin doesn’t want marriage?” Mary prodded.
“I have overheard him saying that it is the last thing on his mind,” Emily said. “He plans to return to Vienna as soon as possible. Escorting me to Clearview and coming here have delayed him.”
“Or,” Cassandra said with a brightness that Emily suddenly lacked, “he’s increasingly reluctant to go. Because of you.”
“I think that’s unlikely,” Emily said.
Mary frowned. “Why?”
“Well, I’m hardly the sort of woman who turns a man’s head,” Emily blurted.
Cassandra and Mary both stared at her. “And therein lies the problem,” Cassandra whispered. “You still don’t think you’re good enough, even after he kissed you and followed you all the way to Clearview, installing himself there when he had every excuse not to do so.”
“He was being a gentleman,” Emily muttered.
“With roguish intentions.” Mary chuckled. A smile chased away the laughter, and she took Emily’s hand. The mattress bounced a little as she shifted her weight to turn more fully toward her. “As I understand it, returning to Vienna is rather pressing for Griffin. He’s already been away too long, so I am quite sure the only reason he’s still in England is because he is hoping to secure an attachment with you before he goes.”
