Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
I met my aunt’s curious gaze. She was fascinated and I knew she had a dozen questions for me once we were alone. Perhaps I should have acted as if I hadn’t met Emma but lying in front of a child seemed wrong. I couldn’t make myself do it. She was so young and taking in everything she witnessed around her. I did not want her to remember me as someone who told untruths. Even if it were an untruth her uncle had wanted.
“Aunt Harriet, Emma enjoys biscuits and jam just as much as you do. I believe the two of you have much in common,” I informed her.
Aunt Harriet’s eyes lit up as she studied Emma. She was truly charmed by the girl, but it was very difficult not to be.
“I don’t know many people who don’t love a tasty jam with their biscuit,” Aunt Harriet said smiling.
Emma frowned then. “Alice doesn’t. She says jam is much too sweet and not at all needed on a biscuit.”
“Who is Alice?” Aunt Harriet then asked unable to stop herself.
“My governess,” Emma replied.
Aunt Harriet nodded her head then as if that made all the sense in the world. “I never had a governess but I did read about them in my books. They don’t appear to be the sort that enjoys treats,” Aunt Harriet said.
Emma crawled back up to her knees then and reached for another pastry. “Oh, they’re not. Alice won’t care at all for these pastries,” Emma informed us.
Ashington cleared his throat then, reminding us all that he too was in the room. I turned my head to look his way and he was studying me. I waited for the inevitable question and wondered if he would ask me here in front of my aunt and uncle or when we were alone.
“When did you meet Emma, Lady Miriam?” he asked me, clearing that up rather quickly.
I glanced down at Emma and gave her an apologetic smile. For I would not lie for her, but I would do my best to make it my fault and not hers that we met in the forest path.
Turning to look back at him, I held the same smile and shrugged. “I was out for a walk and found a lovely path in the forest. I decided to take it and while enjoying the beauty around me, I came upon what I first believed might be a fairy child. However, Lady Emma assured me she was not.” Emma giggled beside me at my elaboration of the story.
“I see,” Ashington said, not looking amused.
“Yes, well, she introduced herself and I as well. Then we spoke of jam and biscuits and hot chocolate before she disappeared beyond the path, leaving me to believe I had, in fact, met one of the Fae. I was pleasantly surprised to see her this morning when I entered the dining room. Would have been a terrible shame to leave Chatwick Hall believing Lady Emma to be a fairy child when clearly she is a very bright young lady.”
Ashington understood the meaning behind my words even though they had been masked for Emma’s sake. She had been a secret he hadn’t intended to share with me. Yet last night, I had forgotten all about his secret and done things a proper lady wouldn’t do. I trusted him because I wanted him to be worth my trust. However, in the light of day with Emma beside me, it was hard to do that any longer.
“I see,” he said finally.
“Emma,” a stern yet distraught voice came from the doorway, and we all turned our heads to see who I could only assume was Alice, the governess. Her hair was pulled up tightly on her head and the glasses perched on her nose only made her pinched expression appear more severe. I felt the sudden need to protect Emma.
“Hello, Alice. I trust you slept well,” Emma replied, not seeming frightened at all.
“I am sorry, Lord Ashington,” Alice said, looking completely horrified. “I thought she was sleeping when I left the cottage to go get tea. When I arrived back, the door was locked. I thought she’d locked me out and she was inside.”
Ashington didn’t appear angry at the governess. He also didn’t seem surprised by Emma’s actions. Did she do these sorts of things often? I bit back a smile at the thought. What a mischievous little girl.
“Twas the last morning here. I wanted to meet everyone,” Emma said with her shoulders straight and her head held high. No fear in her expression. It was as if she was challenging them both.
“Emma, we spoke of this last night,” Alice said, sounding more exasperated than angry this time.
“I did not like your response,” Emma told her then turned back in her seat and took another bite of pastry.