She had to say yes, there was no other choice.
“Yes,” she told him while feeling as though she were watching herself in a tragic play. Not even the happiness bubbling inside her when Stratton responded with a broad smile, was real.
This had gotten completely out of control.
“Well get off the floor, man,” Grandpapa said, “and kiss your fiancée.”
Concern flickered behind Stratton’s eyes for the very first time. He gave Emily a hesitant look before rising. The happiness bubbling inside her died. She’d been right. It was just for show and this proved it.
“I don’t think that’s very proper,” Emily said in an effort to stop the situation from escalating further. Stratton clearly had no desire to kiss her and, while she could not say the same, she really didn’t want to be kissing a man unless he wanted to kiss her as well.
“Nonsense,” said Grandpapa. “You’re engaged now, we’re family, and you are not out in public. So go on. You ought to seal the deal.”
“He’s right,” Stratton said. Without further warning, he pulled Emily into his arms and pressed his mouth to hers in a kiss so swift she scarcely had time to register what was happening before it was over.
Her legs wobbled and she reached out her hand, grabbing hold of Stratton’s lapel while she fought to regain her balance.
“Well done,” Grandpapa cheered. “Congratulations on your engagement. I can’t wait to share the good news with your parents.”
Emily froze. “You said you would keep it a secret.”
“When you were just courting I saw no reason not to. Now that you’re getting married, your grandmama and I will both want to celebrate with them.”
Oh God. What had she done?
“I’m so…so…happy for you,” Grandmama said between strained breaths. “Once you have children, you’ll know what it means…to be truly blessed.”
Emily stared at her. This could not be happening.
“Thank you,” she managed, feeling as though every part of the orderly life she knew was coming apart at the seams. To say nothing of Stratton’s life. He’d done this to help her and look where that had led him. She couldn’t even look at him on account of how awful she felt. It didn’t matter that he was the one who’d made matters worse. The only thing of importance was that he’d never have done so if she hadn’t asked for his help.
At least Grandmama smiled. That was something, but was it enough to make up for this utter disaster? Somehow, she’d have to find a way to fix it, but now wasn’t the time. The promise of loss was too crippling. She couldn’t think, could barely find her next breath.
It felt like the air had been sucked from the room. Yet somehow, she had to find the strength to hold it together, just long enough to get out of the house.
So she took a deep inhalation and spoke past the lump in her throat.
“It’s been wonderful seeing you again, but we probably ought to get going.” Leaning forward, she placed a kiss to her grandmother’s cheek and told her softly, “I love you with all my heart, Grandmama.”
“I love you too, Emily.”
The words caused additional tears to fall as Emily took her leave. She wiped them away with Stratton’s handkerchief while making her way to the carriage. Once inside, she focused on staring out the window as they drove away from Seaton Hall. She could not look at Stratton, even though she knew there was so much for them to address.
If only it would all go away by itself so they could return to normal.
10
Callum was not sure what to think or how to feel. He considered Lady Emily who gave every impression of not wanting to deal with the swift progression of their relationship this afternoon. By all accounts, they were engaged now. Once her parents found out, it would be real.
Did she hate him for choosing to ask for her hand?
He’d only done so when he’d realized how important it was to Lady Seaton. The words he’d spoken had come with ease. He’d not even had to think, he’d just said them. They’d been honest and heartfelt. It hadn’t been hard. In truth, he’d imagined the proposal was real while he spoke. Not once had he thought of it as an act.
Not until after.
And then he’d kissed her.
He’d had to, he’d tell her if she demanded an explanation later. To be honest, he’d welcomed the excuse the situation had offered. His gaze dipped to her mouth and his stomach instantly tightened with the memory of the softness he’d found there. It had been brief. Too brief. But such was a kiss when it happened in front of family. Allowing himself to be swept away by passion would not have been very proper.
