Page 58 of If I Loved You
She ran up the stairs, went into her bedroom, and locked herself within. Leaning against the door, she held the letter very close to her face, using two shaking hands, and read the words again. Are you, as I am, ever plagued, tortured, or otherwise accosted (often most happily) by memories of our shared kisses?
Oh.
Oh, my. Lowering one hand, she settled it against her belly to calm the butterflies that had taken flight.
She did not answer his question for three full days.
LORD LINDSEY,
Maybe. Sometimes.
E
EMMA,
I rather think about it, and them, and us all the time.
L
LORD LINDSEY,
Is thatwise?
E
DEAR EMMA,
Possibly no. Unless I were to know it was to be repeated.
I might dwell upon it then. With greater effect and time than even now.
L
LORD LINDSEY
Repeated? To what end?
E
MY DEAR EMMA,
There is so much more I want to show you, to know with you.
L
LORD LINDSEY,
As you have important work to be about in these last days of parliament’s session, we must needs retire the preceding discussion.
Hopefully, we might return to our very dear former manner of corresponding, which had seen you grousing with growing annoyance for the behavior of your esteemed peers of the realm, while I surely bored you to tears with tedious anecdotes of my little country life.
(Nevertheless, I shall continue.) Dear Langdon has begun, or is trying, to teach me how to ride one of your fine mares. I cannot say I am unafraid, or truth be known, even very interested, yet the Smythes and Langdon have convinced me it might serve as a useful skill to have. The whole side-saddle arrangement makes me feelfirstly, very small and precarious upon the large beast, and then, in a constant state of fright that I will topple straight off the horse. Oh, what a long way down that would be.
Perhaps it is best that Bethany receives her introduction and instruction at such a young age, that she grows up with no fear, but only ease whenever near the beautiful animals. Assuming you might continue this time with her upon your eventual return, I thank you for your assistance in this regard.
There was a fire in Perry Green just yesterday. The sawmill at the edge of town went up in smoke, which was visible to us even two miles away. We all—the Smythes and Langdon, and Bethany and Mr. MacKenzie and myself—headed into town to see what the rising black plume of smoke was about, and if we might have been of any help. We were not, though it took many hours for any control of the blaze to be gained. Sadly, the entire building and contents were lost. There was a group taking up donations to help out the Prescott family, who have owned the mill and contributed to the community for many generations. I gave willingly, as not two weeks ago, old Mr. Prescott, whom we regularly passed on our way in or out of town, offered a whittled horse figure to Bethany when we’d stopped to chat with him.
You needn’t fear that that my donation should have me begging an increase from you, as I have budgeted the remainder of the month quite cleverly to do without the humble sum I could afford to give. I have your father to thank for that, for my ability to help out another person. I was so pleased to be able to do so, and mayhap I finally understand your father’s constant wish to aid and assist me. It simply feels good.
