“Aren’t you going to read it?” Mama asked while refilling their teacups.
Emily nodded. The room felt uncomfortably hot all of a sudden. “Of course.”
She tore the seal as carefully as she could so she might preserve it, and unfolded the paper.
Dear Lady Emily,
I hope this letter finds you well. Hopefully, your toes have recovered from the brutality they were subjected to this afternoon, although to be fair, I wouldn’t have stepped on them, had you been more aware of your surroundings. But since I did do the stepping, I’d like to extend an apology, though this is not my only reason for writing.
While I realize our history has not been the best, I am hoping you will set it aside long enough to consider my humble request. What I ask, is for Peter to be allowed to spend additional time with Heidi. However inconvenient this may be for either of us, that dog is the first thing to capture his interest since his parents died. I cannot in good conscience ignore that and pray you won’t either.
In anticipation of your response,
Callum Davis, Duke of Stratton.
Emily re-read the letter three times while trying to figure out what to make of it. She wasn’t sure whether she ought to feel vexed, touched, or slightly afraid. His suggestion that she was equally to blame for him stepping upon her toes was beyond the pale. But then he’d mentioned Peter’s response to Heidi and Emily’s heart had melted. She wanted to accommodate Stratton’s request, but she also feared doing so might cause her additional harm.
“Well?” Mama asked. “What does he say?”
“Nothing much,” Emily lied. She refolded the letter and tucked it inside her skirt pocket. “He merely wished to apologize for setting my gown on fire that one time.”
She would not mention today’s interaction with him since she had no wish to answer whatever questions it might lead to. As far as her parents knew, there had only been the one mishap concerning her gown, which was also the worst one by far. But they’d been completely unaware of the rest. Each time an incident had occurred, she’d made an excuse, leaving Stratton’s name out of it. No one saw what had happened and she’d deliberately chosen to save him from the humiliation.
Frowning, she now wondered at that decision.
“But that was ages ago,” Mama said. “As I recall, he begged our forgiveness when it happened.”
“Yes.” It was the only time he’d managed to say he was sorry, and only then because her parents were present. Had they not been, she would have cut him off as she usually did and asked him to leave her alone. She sighed. Maybe she wasn’t as kind as she thought herself to be.
She glanced at Mama. “Do you mind if I retire? I’m feeling a little tired.”
“By all means. Get some rest, Emily. You mustn’t linger on my account.”
“Thank you.” Emily went and pressed a kiss to her mother’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
When she arrived in her bedchamber, Emily rang for her lady’s maid, Georgina, to help her change into a nightgown and comb out her hair. Once this had been done and Georgina had left, Emily put on her dressing gown, then took a seat at her desk.
The letter from Stratton lay before her, demanding a response.
She took a deep breath and collected a crisp piece of foolscap. After dipping her quill in her inkwell, she took a moment to gather her thoughts before writing,
Dear Duke of Stratton,
I thank you for your letter, which was well received. While I will admit stepping into that puddle was no one’s fault but my own, my toes would not have been squished had you remained where you were. I did not require your aid but appreciate your apology. As for your request, I would like to do what I can to make Peter happy, though I do have a small request in return – that you and I maintain a safe distance apart at all times. If this suits, please bring Peter to Hyde Park tomorrow so he and Heidi can play. I’ll be at the entrance, ten o’clock sharp.
Lady Emily Brooke
3
Callum stared at Lady Emily’s missive. She’d taken responsibility for stepping into the puddle, though not without insulting him in the process. He wasn’t sure what to think about that, but one thing was certain – he’d have liked to tell her the day and hour did not suit. Hell, he’d have liked to inform her that he no longer wished to meet.
Were it not for Peter.
Callum expelled a weary breath, set the missive aside, and went back to eating his breakfast. He would put his constant conflict with Lady Emily behind him for the sake of his ward.
A decision that saw him escorting a very excited Peter toward Hyde Park the following morning. Thankfully, Lady Emily had asked that she and Callum keep some distance from each other. This suited Callum fine. He’d not have to speak with her and would hopefully avoid getting blamed for additional mishaps.
What he didn’t expect, was the hollowness that settled behind his breastbone a half hour later, even as he watched Peter throw a stick for Heidi to chase. The boy cheered and clapped his hands, grinning when Heidi returned the stick to him so he could throw it again. It was marvelous. Callum was thrilled to have found a way to bring him some joy. And yet, there was an underlying sense of wrongness with the world that Callum couldn’t quite place.
