“I’ll return home after we finish our talk.”
She frowned at him but didn’t comment. Instead, she positioned herself on the bench with a sullen expression that made him chuckle. She truly was lovely, even when she looked like the world was against her.
When they arrived at Rosemont House, Emily led the way inside while Callum followed behind. He’d just finished handing his hat and gloves to the butler when Emily’s mother entered the foyer.
She stared at the assembled group in surprise. “Larrow said you went back to Seaton House.”
Emily pulled at the ribbon holding her bonnet in place. “I did.”
“If only you’d said something sooner. Papa and I are heading there shortly. You might have joined us instead of going alone.” Mama glanced at Callum. “It seems you chose to call at just the right time, Your Grace. I wonder why you didn’t bring Peter along.”
“Might I have a word with you and Papa?” Emily asked her mother.
“Of course, but we’ll have to make it quick since he and I would like to return before dark. Besides, it’s not polite to leave your guest waiting.”
“The matter I wish to address relates to Stratton as well. He has not come to call upon me, Mama. He and I went to Seaton Hall together and have just now returned. Together.”
“Oh.” Lady Rosemont looked visibly perplexed by this piece of information. “I’ll, um…just fetch your father.”
Emily looked at Callum for the first time since they’d entered the house. “Forgive me, but confiding in them seems like the most sensible idea at this point. It will hopefully help us find a way out of this mess.”
Callum caught her arm before she could turn away. He waited until her eyes met his, then lowered his voice and asked, “Do you want a way out?”
“Don’t you?”
He honestly wasn’t sure. When he’d thought of settling down in the past, the idea had always made him break out in a sweat. He’d worried about every possible aspect, from whether or not he’d get along with his wife, to questioning his ability to be as good a father as his own had been.
But when he’d proposed to Emily, he’d experienced a sense of calm. Of course he’d told himself it was all pretend, but at the back of his mind he’d known it might end up being more. There had been the chance he’d not be able to walk away from the attachment. And still, he’d not experienced the slightest hint of panic.
If anything, holding her hand while on bended knee and telling her why he wanted to spend his life with her, had felt incredibly right. He wasn’t sure hedidwant to find a way out of this ‘mess’, as she called it. If anything, it troubled him slightly that she didn’t seem to share this opinion. Instead, she was very intent on putting an end to their brief romance.
She gazed at him, an expectant look in her eyes.
How easy it would be for him to lie to her now, to take the cowardly way out and simply pretend he wasn’t a little bit thrilled with the idea of having her for his wife. Just thinking of having her by his side for the rest of his life warmed his heart.
“I’m not sure,” he said.
Emily’s lips parted. She shook her head as if baffled. “Are you saying you want a real engagement with me?”
Was that what he was saying? The more he thought on it, the more certain he became. She’d make a wonderful wife, assisting in his guardianship of Peter, keeping him company in the evenings while they reclined by the fire, going on outings, and simply adding a spark to his life.
He nodded while every piece of heartache he’d felt since the death of his father collided and transformed beneath the incredible glow of her presence. She mattered to him and the thought of possibly losing her now just because he feared she didn’t share his affection, was enough for him to give a quick nod.
She drew back with a small gasp.
“Yes,” he said, cementing the idea just to be sure there was no doubt about his intentions.
“But it was only meant to be pretend.” Her eyes glistened. “I never meant to trap you.”
“You haven’t trapped me, Emily.” He reached for her hands and held them firmly between his own. “I am here by my own free will, ready to find out where this adventure might take us. Will you join me?”
She looked as though she might be sick. There were so many emotions dancing across her face, it was hard to keep up. In the brief time they stood there, Callum saw pain, anxiety, uncertainty, and finally, when all of those faded, a hint of joy. He chose to hold on to that while willing her to take a chance, not only on him but on them.
Her jaw tightened and then she finally nodded. “Very well. Yes.”
Elated, Callum swept her into his arms and swung her around until they both grinned. It was the second time he’d proposed in the space of three hours, and while it was briefer, it was no less indicative of how he felt about her.
“What’s happening here?” a deep voice asked.
