She snatched up a biscuit and frowned while she ate it. His entire demeanor had changed when she’d mentioned not wanting to force him into a marriage of convenience. But hadn’t he just denied that there was anything more between them than friendship?
Had he wished to, he could have hinted at their outings potentially leading to courtship. Instead he’d confirmed a lack of interest in venturing down that path with her. She’d worried he might have taken her comment the wrong way and so, she’d said what she’d said.
If only she were brave enough to tell him how she felt and then deal with the chance that he might reject her. It would save her from constantly wondering over his words and the intonation with which he spoke, from analyzing the look in his eyes when he glanced at her, and the meaning behind the occasional touch.
She reached for her tea while wishing for a way to figure him out.
“Would you like to visit again tomorrow?” she asked when he and Peter prepared to leave.
“I’d love to,” Peter said, only for Stratton to give him a chastising frown.
“Thank you for the invitation,” said Stratton. “I’ll ask one of the footmen to bring Peter over.”
“Oh.” Emily stared at him while her heart quietly broke. He was turning her down. It couldn’t be clearer. She tried to smile but didn’t quite manage. “You won’t be joining him then?”
“I’m afraid I can’t afford to.”
They departed, leaving Emily behind with an awfully hollow sensation behind her breastbone.
“Is something troubling you?” Ada asked when Emily joined her and Harriet for tea a few days later. “You seem distracted again.”
“It’s nothing,” Emily assured her while doing her best to feign happiness.
“You also look tired,” Harriet said. “Have you not been sleeping well?”
“If you must know, I’ve been staying up later than usual in order to finish the book I’m currently reading.”
Ada smirked. “Are you sure it’s the book that’s keeping you from your sleep?”
“Do you know something I don’t?” Harriet asked. She sent Ada a curious look.
“Only that Anthony and I saw Emily with Stratton last week. They were at the fair together.”
“Were they really?” Harriet’s eyes had widened to the size of saucers. She shifted her attention back to Emily, giving her an expectant look.
Emily waved one hand in the hope of dismissing whatever suspicions her friends might have. “Stratton’s ward, Peter, lost his parents earlier this year. He’s been struggling with the mourning process. When I realized he’d taken an instant liking to Heidi, I suggested a walk so the two could spend more time together.”
“At the fair?” Harriet asked.
“No, this was prior to that.”
“So you’ve had several outings with Stratton,” Ada remarked.
“AndPeter,” Emily pointed out. “Don’t give me that look. It was not several outings. It was two. Three if we count the walk. Plus a couple of visits for tea. As well as some letters. And a bouquet of flowers.”
She added the last part when both of her friends raised their eyebrows at the mention of letters and instantly regretted it when they began grinning like fools.
“Oh, Emily.” Ada reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m delighted on your behalf.”
Emily gave her a wary look. “What are you talking about?”
Ada glanced at Harriet. “She truly can’t see it, can she?”
Harriet shook her head while looking much too amused for Emily’s liking. “I don’t believe so.”
“You’re being courted.” Ada grinned. “And you don’t even know it.”
“No, I…I’m really not. Stratton and I are friends, Ada. That’s it. Nothing more.”
