Harriet agreed and set off with the maid soon after.
“I plan to call on a friend,” she said to Fiona as they strolled. “The house isn’t far.”
They soon arrived at Emily’s home where the butler showed them to the library.
“Look up,” said the butler when Harriet failed to locate her friend. Emily was standing on a ladder, checking books against a list. Harriet thanked the butler for his assistance and he departed.
“What are you up to?” Harriet asked Emily as she moved toward her.
“Rearranging things to make space for the twenty volumes of the encyclopedia I gave Papa for his birthday.”
“The one Ada bound?”
“The very same.” Emily grabbed a couple of books and descended the ladder. “You’re looking well. It would seem that being engaged to a duke suits you.”
Harriet forced a smile. “Perfectly so.
Emily frowned and glanced at Fiona, who’d remained near the doorway. “Why don’t you go and enjoy some tea and biscuits downstairs in the kitchen? Miss Michaels will call you when she’s ready to leave.”
“Of course.” The maid bobbed a curtsey and left.
Emily took Harriet’s hand and led her to a nearby sofa. “Now tell me the truth. Something’s troubling you. What is it? How can I help?”
Harriet wasn’t sure where to begin. The last thing she wished was to sound ungrateful.
She took a seat “I…”
“Yes?” Emily pressed as she sat beside her.
Harried sighed and relaxed against the sofa. “It’s slightly stifling. I’m accustomed to venturing out on my own, to being productive. But now…”
“Planning a wedding is not as rewarding?”
“I realize it sounds ridiculous. Most working-class women would leap at the chance to switch places with me. And I’m grateful for what I have – for this marvelous opportunity. I’m not unhappy, I simply wish there were more freedom. Emily, I feel like I’m constantly being watched, either by servants or by Brody’s mother, who’s wonderful by the way. But I honestly need a moment alone.”
Emily chuckled. “Why do you think I started the book club, or rented a room in which to host it so none of the members would have to come here? Because I too was in need of escape.”
Harriet propped her elbow on the armrest and leaned her head against her hand. “I haven’t even seen or heard from Brody since leaving his home on Thursday.”
“I’m sure he’s busy with his own wedding preparations.”
“Everyoneis. I’m already sick of it and there are still more than two weeks to go before he and I say our vows.”
“Harriet?” Emily took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Are you having second thoughts about marrying him?”
Harriet swallowed. She’d started wondering the very same thing. Were it not for Lucy…
“I fear he’s making a terrible mistake out of some misplaced sense of duty.” And because of Lucy, she was too much of a coward to stop him.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because he proposed in order to save me from ruin.”
“That makes no sense whatsoever.”
“How can you say that when you know the particulars pertaining to my relationship with him? You know we were found in bed together and that—”
“You needn’t go over it all again,” Emily said. “I read the letter you sent me. The detail was noteworthy.”
