Page 151 of The Sisters of Sea View
She looked at him in surprise. “Yes, as far as I know.”
“Good, good.”
They rejoined the line, and Emily’s mind spun faster than the turns of the dance. Was he asking about Claire? She certainly recalled the man showering her eldest sister with attention during the Parkers’ house party. But that was more than a year ago.
After the dance, the elder Miss Craven appeared at her side and said in a low voice, “Do take care where Lord Bertram is concerned.”
Her aloof expression and patronizing tone vexed Emily. Was she jealous of Lord Bertram’s attentions to her?
“Why?” she asked tartly.
“I would rather not go into particulars. He is, after all, a friend of my brother’s. However, I advise you not to trust him implicitly. He flirts with many women he has no intention of marrying.”
Did she assume the Summerses were beneath the respectable notice of such a man?Insolent girl, Emily inwardly seethed. She said, “I can take care of myself.”
“So others have thought before you.”
Emily glared at her but said nothing more.
Miss Craven lifted her nose in the air. “I beg your pardon,” she said, turning away stiffly. “My interference was kindly meant.”
Was it?Emily wondered. She thought back. Yes, there had been a budding attraction between Claire and Lord Bertram, who had come to stay with the Parker family for a few weeks. He and Claire had danced with each other and flirted throughout the various entertainments hosted on his behalf. Emily remembered Claire was obviously smitten with the handsome young man. But he had paid no call to them at Finderlay, nor sought their father’sblessing, nor planned to return, as far as she knew. Perhaps she had not known the whole.
Mr. Stanley returned to her side once more. “Miss Summers, what is it? You seem upset.”
“I ... I am afraid I am not feeling well.”
His brows knitted in concern. “Then I shall walk you home directly.”
His sister and Miss Marchant wanted to stay longer, so promising to return for them soon, Mr. Stanley escorted Emily to Sea View.
Both were quiet on the walk back.
When they reached the veranda, Mr. Stanley began, “Miss Summers, there is something I should tell you. Perhaps I should have confided it earlier, but—”
Viola opened the door, appearing startled to find the two of them there. “Sorry. I was just going out to take the air. Don’t let me interrupt.”
“No interruption at all,” he said. “I only walked your sister home and now must return for mine.”
“Oh. I see.” Viola looked from one to the other, uncertainty scoring a line between her brows.
After Mr. Stanley had bowed and taken his leave, Viola turned to her. “You are home earlier than I expected. Is everything all right?”
Emily sighed. “May I tell you tomorrow? I need to think.”
“Of course.”
Leaving Viola on the veranda, Emily retreated into the house.
“You saw what?” Emily glowered at her sister as the two of them stood in the hall together the next morning.
Viola winced at her sharp tone and repeated softly, “I saw Mr. Stanley kissing someone.”
“It wasn’t me.”
“I did not say it was.”
Emily propped a hand on her hip. “When was this, supposedly?”
