He sighed and unwound his cravat for the third time. If only he’d not had to sack his valet, but alas, Mr. Jones had been one of the highest paid servants and one of the few Callum could manage without. He made another attempt at the knot and decided it would have to do.
“Can we please visit Rosemont House today?” Peter asked when Callum met him for breakfast.
Callum stared at the paper he’d been pretending to read. “Maybe tomorrow.”
“That’s what you told me yesterday,” Peter grumbled. “And the day before.”
It was, Callum admitted, what he’d been telling the poor boy for the past week. He set the paper aside so he could give him his full attention. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been busy.”
No. You’ve been a coward.
Peter stared at him. “Shedidsay you could just drop me off. You don’t have to stay.”
Of course the boy would remember that. Callum attempted a placating smile. “My mother has a spaniel. I can ask her if we can stop by for a visit later this week. What do you think of that?”
Peter shrugged one shoulder. “It won’t be the same.”
Of course it wouldn’t. They’d have to deal with Mama for one thing. She’d married an artist after Papa’s death and had since become an eccentric. The fact that he’d rather visit her than go anywhere near Rosemont House spoke volumes.
It might have been different had Lady Emily written to him after the fair, but he’d had no word from her since. The future of their friendship, or whatever this thing they’d embarked upon was, had been placed in his hands. He could either act or do nothing.
Knowing what he should do, which was to put Peter first, didn’t help.
“Very well,” he said upon reflection, “I’ll take you there after luncheon.”
Peter bounced up and down in his chair, his excitement so infectious Callum could not keep from laughing.
“Thank you ever so much!”
Callum dipped his chin and returned his attention to the paper. He’d leave Peter at Rosemont House for a couple of hours while visiting Brody who lived nearby. What he would not do, was spend additional time with Lady Emily. Distance was required now if he was to stop thinking of her all the time. It was also imperative that he get his incessant desire to kiss her under control. He reasoned this would be easier to do if he didn’t spend time with her.
As had so often been the case during the course of their acquaintance, however, luck was not on his side. The moment the Rosemont butler opened the door, there she was, having just descended the stairs to the foyer.
Wonderful.
It didn’t help that she looked divine with her red curls pinned in a slightly wild updo that left some stray locks falling softly around her face. The pleasure in her eyes when she saw who’d come to call, only added to her incredible beauty.
“You’re here,” she muttered as though incredulous.
“We are,” Callum said.
When nothing further was added by either one, the butler asked, “Will Your Grace be coming inside?”
“Oh…um…I actually—”
“Please do.”
Emily’s voice, and the hopefulness it conveyed, made him forget all about the distance he’d planned on putting between them. His feet stepped forward and he entered the house together with Peter.
“It’s good to see you again,” Lady Emily said once they’d arrived in the parlor.
They sat exactly as they had on his previous visit, only this time Peter was here as well. He sat on the floor, playing with Heidi. A tea tray had been placed on the table before them.
“You too.” He watched as she gracefully filled each of their cups and wondered what it might be like to have those elegant fingers slide over his skin. A hot shiver raked his spine and his muscles tightened. Best he avoid such musings if he was to keep his body under control.
“I realize it’s silly, but I really must ask.” She’d lowered her voice to a whisper. “Did I say or do something to offend you when last we met?”
Her question caught him completely off guard. “Of course not. Why would you think so?”
