“How?” Callum demanded. “How does Emily being the most influential book reviewer in London make even the tiniest bit of sense?”
Brody sent a swift glance in Anthony’s direction and shrugged. “From what I gather, she’s extremely fond of reading.”
“Many people are,” Callum said. He shoved his fingers through his hair and stood. “That doesn’t make them famous reviewers.”
“I suppose not,” Brody agreed while Callum began to pace. He had to think this through and then he had to figure out what to do. The more he delved into the situation, the greater his concern. Anthony and Brody were right. If Emily read the book, as she was apparently already doing, she was bound to suspect his involvement.
Leaving his friends in the parlor, he hurried to the library and collected the book from the shelf where he’d placed it. He flipped through the pages, searching for the part that threatened to ruin everything he’d just gained.
The segment wasn’t long, but it was enough.
Sutherland glanced at Mr. Dalton, who appeared rather tense this evening. Having recently entered the packed assembly room together, they’d positioned themselves to the right of the entrance. From there, they had an excellent view of the dance floor, it being slightly lower than where they stood.
“Are you well?” Sutherland asked of his friend while attempting to catch a glimpse of the woman who’d captured his heart. She was supposed to be here.
“As well as I can be with Miss Emilia Parker present.” Mr. Dalton sent Sutherland a sidelong glance. “I swear, I’m forever making the wrong move when she is near.”
“How so?”
Mr. Dalton snorted. “I’ve stepped on her toes, toppled her into a fountain, spilled punch down the front of her gown, tripped her up, and caused her to catch on fire. I’m not myself around her.”
Sutherland raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like you might be smitten.”
“Highly unlikely,” Mr. Dalton grumbled.
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Because I would have to like the lady in question for that to be true. But how can I do so when all she ever does is curse me for being clumsy? No, indeed, Miss Emelia Parker is, without doubt, the very last woman upon this earth for whom I would ever develop a tendre. Frankly, if she treats other gentlemen as she treats me, it’s no wonder she’s not yet married.”
Callum stared at the page while panic stormed through him.
Bloody hell, he was in trouble.
12
It was difficult for Emily to come to grips with every emotional up and down she’d experienced since she’d risen that morning. So much had happened. She’d gone to Seaton Hall with Stratton – Callum as he’d insisted she call him – feigned a courtship, which had turned into a proposal, and ended up properly engaged.
Had she known this was how her day would proceed, she would have imagined it making her unbelievably anxious. Instead, she felt surprisingly calm. Somehow, with every word he’d spoken in favor of marriage – even when they had both been pretending – had assured her. He’d made her believe this could work.
It was most unexpected. Two weeks ago she would have denied the possibility of becoming his wife. How easily life could change in what felt like the blink of an eye.
Beaming with pleasure, she settled into her favorite chair and opened the book she’d started the previous day. A romance novel was just the thing at the moment, now that she too was falling in love.
She giggled at that thought while her heart beat with endless pleasure.
It was silly perhaps, but Callum’s proposal, and what he’d said since then, had swept her off her feet. Yes, he’d failed to reveal the state of his finances, but he’d assured her he would have done so once given the chance. And she’d believed him. He was a wonderful man who’d even gone so far as to tell her parents that he was fond of her.
A giddy sensation overcame her. She bit her lip and wondered when Callum might call upon her again. Tomorrow, she hoped. She really could not wait to see him or to try and steal another kiss. The one they’d shared in front of her grandparents had been too quick.
With a chastising shake of her head, she forced herself to focus on the text before her. It was easy to sit and daydream about her handsome husband-to-be, but that would not get her closer to writing the review she’d promised Ada.
Doing so would not be a struggle. Emily had been correct in trusting her friend. The style was fresh, the plot intriguing. She still couldn’t figure out how an inn-keepers daughter might marry an earl and hoped there would be a really good explanation for it.
She bowed her head, read a few pages, and chuckled. Sutherland possessed the most wonderful sense of humor. When he’d spoken to his friend, Mr. Dalton, just now, it almost reminded her of something Callum might say.
And now she was comparing Callum to a fictional character.
She rolled her eyes and kept reading, only to frown a few pages later when Mr. Dalton mentioned his wish to avoid Miss Emelia Parker. Emily read the next line, and the next, with increasing concern. Her heart, which had been dancing about just an hour ago, was now limping along.
