Page 33 of A Game of Hearts

“I don’t want you to compromise your position for me.”

“I’m not. I’m finally living up to it.” He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “A man of my rank should protect those he... those he loves. Not through denial or rigid rules, but through honour and truth.”

She almost gasped at his choice of words, but, before she could speak, could ask him… the calls were getting closer. When he turned away a little and looked to the horses, Emma simply stood, waiting, until he helped her remount, his hand coming up to rest on her knee once she was safely settled in the saddle. The heat of that touch seemed to fill her whole body, distracting her from the exigencies of the moment.

“We will need to be careful,” he said quietly. “It is so easy to slip into impropriety. But never doubt, Emma - my feelings are engaged, I think, beyond what is sensible at all.”

She smiled down at him, joy bubbling up despite her awareness of the complications ahead, if he meant what she thought he meant.

“As are mine. You make me want to do things I shouldn’t - even when you’re being impossibly proper.”

His laugh was interrupted by the arrival of Lord James and Lady Beatrice, both looking relieved to find them safe. Emma noticed Lord James’ quick assessment of their slightly dishevelled appearance, the knowing gleam in his eyes.

“There you are!” Lady Beatrice called. “We’ve been so worried! Though...” She glanced between them with barely suppressed excitement. “I trust everything is... well?”

“Perfectly well,” Nathaniel said smoothly, mounting his horse. “Though perhaps we should return to the house? I do believe that Miss Everton has had quite enough excitement for one morning.”

They rode back together, maintaining proper distance but unable to quite hide their shared joy. Emma caught Lady Beatrice watching them with obvious delight, while Lord James wore an expression of profound satisfaction.

As they approached the house, Emma saw Lady Anne waiting on the steps, her expression calculating. Their absence had clearly been noted. Emma’s stomach tightened - what had been a moment of perfect connection now felt dangerously exposed to society’s judgment.

She lifted her chin, refusing to let anxiety dim the warmth that still lingered from their kiss. Whatever Lady Anne might suspect, she had done nothing truly wrong. Even if her heart still raced every time she caught Nathaniel - Lord Limnwood, she corrected herself firmly, for if she allowed herself to think of him that way, despite the fact that he had given her licence to use his forename, then she was sure to call him so in a situation where it was most inappropriate - looking at her.

As they dismounted in the stable yard, Emma could feel the weight of curious stares. Lady Anne had clearly been busy during their absence - several other guests lingered near the steps, watching with poorly concealed interest.

“Miss Everton.” Lady Agatha’s voice cut through the morning air as she descended the steps. “Are you quite well? We were most concerned when it was reported that you had become separated from the party.”

Emma caught the sharp look her aunt cast between her and Nathaniel. Something in Lady Agatha’s expression suggested that she saw more than Emma might wish her to.

“Quite well, thank you. Shadow was startled by a pheasant, and it took some time for me to bring him back under control, but Lord Limnwood’s quick thinking in following me prevented any mishap.”

“How fortunate that he was there to... assist you.” Lady Anne’s voice dripped honey-sweet venom. “Though one must wonder why it took you so long to return? The woods cannot be that extensive.”

Emma felt heat climb her cheeks at the memory of exactly why their return had been delayed. But before she could respond, Nathaniel spoke, his voice cool and controlled.

“We had to allow the horses to cool down a little, after their exertion,” he said smoothly. “As any experienced rider would know.”

Lady Anne flushed at this subtle reminder that she had given up her usual mount due to lameness, and then taken the quieter of the available horses, due to her claimed inability to handle Shadow. But her eyes narrowed as they moved between Emma and Nathaniel, clearly noting something in their manner which fed her suspicions.

“Come, my dear.” Lady Agatha took Emma’s arm. “You must change before breakfast. Though perhaps we might have a moment of conversation first?” Emma’s heart sank at her aunt’s tone. She allowed herself to be led away, though not before catching Nathaniel’s glance. The warmth in his eyes made her breath catch - how had they gone from proper distance to such awareness in so short a time? “I couldn’t help but notice,” Lady Agatha said as they reached Emma’s chamber, “that both you and Lord Limnwood returned looking rather... windswept.”

Emma busied herself removing her riding gloves.

“We were riding through the woods at speed, and not on a trail, aunt.”

“Indeed.” Lady Agatha’s voice softened. “Emma, look at me.”

She turned reluctantly to face her aunt, expecting censure. Instead, she found understanding in Lady Agatha’s eyes.

“You’re developing feelings for him, aren’t you?”

Emma’s breath caught.

“I... I hardly know what I feel. Everything is so confused.”

“That, my dear, is exactly what concerns me.” Lady Agatha settled into a chair. “Confused feelings can lead to confused behaviour. And in society, behaviour is everything.”

“Nothing improper happened,” Emma said quickly - perhaps too quickly.