Page 153 of The Sisters of Sea View
“No, please stay.” Emily gripped her hand tightly, then glanced again at Mr. Stanley. “Did you honestly escort me to a ball and then ask another woman to marry you in the same night?”
“Of course not. Our engagement is of long duration.” He added hastily, “Though not in the usual sense. It was a secret engagement, formed in our youth.”
“Why secret?”
“We were young and knew our families would not approve. I realized it was wrong almost immediately. But as a gentleman, I could not break it off.”
“Why did you not tell me?”
“As I said, it was secret—no one knew of it.”
“Very convenient for you, these last several weeks.”
“I never meant...” He grimaced and changed tack. “I came to Sidmouth for a holiday. Yes, to spend time with my sister, but mostly to enjoy my freedom while I could. Then you burst into my room and into my life ... quite literally.” He ran an agitated hand through his hair. “I know I flirted back. Allowed you to believe I was as free and spirited as you. I didn’t flatter myself I might hurt you. You were too pretty, too confident to give any serious thought to a man like me. Still, I should have been more circumspect in my behavior toward you, more reserved.”
Throat tight, Emily said, “She gave you that ring, didn’t she?” The tulip design should have alerted her, Emily realized. Tulips symbolized perfect love.
He nodded. “I recently began wearing it, hoping it would remind me of my obligation—and to keep a proper distance from you. Yet every time I was in your company, you were so ... clever and witty and beautiful.... I couldn’t resist. I told myself you knew I would be leaving in a few weeks. No harm would be done.”
He inhaled and lowered his voice. “Then last night I saw how you reacted to seeing that man. How you paled in his presence and held on to my arm for support.”
“What man, Em?” Viola whispered.
“I will tell you later.”
Mr. Stanley continued, “You told me his friend had disappointed you, and I glimpsed the vulnerable woman behind the cheerful mask. I knew then how wrong I had been to think I could not injure you. And I feared it was already too late, that you would be hurt no matter what I did next.”
“That’s why you were quiet on the walk back.”
He nodded. “I was torn between my feelings and duty. I started to tell you, but when we were interrupted, I decided maybe thatwas for the best, as you were already upset. I resolved to tell you this morning no matter what.
“After I left you last night, I collected my sister and her friend and walked the two back to their hotel. As soon as I entered, I saw them—Miss Pritchard and her mother, baggage around them, apparently just arrived.
“My sister and Miss Marchant proceeded upstairs while I stood there, dumbfounded, waiting for my cue. Not sure if I was even supposed to acknowledge our acquaintance, let alone anything else.”
“But when Miss Pritchard saw me, she rushed forward and presented her hand to be kissed in front of her mamma and everyone else. I did so, rather woodenly, unsure what she intended.
“She presented me to her mother, saying, ‘This is the Mr. Stanley I have told you so much about.’
“Then she asked if she and I might take a walk along the mall, saying she had been sitting too long in that cramped chaise, and a moonlight stroll was just what she needed.
“I was sure her parent would object, as it was late by then, though, yes, there was plenty of moonlight to see by. Instead her mother said, ‘Oh, very well. You are engaged, after all.’
“I stood there, mouth wide, no doubt looking like a trout stunned to find a hook in his mouth. Miss Pritchard handed over her bandbox, grasped my arm almost fiercely, and all but dragged me outside.”
“You did not know she was coming?”
He shook his head. “I asked her why she had not written to inform me and to let me know that our private arrangement had become public. She didn’t say it in so many words, but I gather she sensed me pulling away and came to settle her claim.
“We walked along the promenade, my mind spinning, filled with dread. She chatted happily, seemingly unaware of my befuddled state. As we neared the end of the esplanade, I glanced toward Sea View, to the light in the library window, where I imagined you were.
“She seemed to realize my attention had drifted, for she whirled on me, eyes blazing. I thought I was in for a reprimand, which I surely deserved, but she took my face in her hands and kissed me.
“There were still a few people about, and I feared we’d be seen.” He frowned. “I am sorry you learned about it this way. Truly sorry. More than you know.”
Unexpected tears heated Emily’s eyes, and she blinked them back, reminding herself it was Charles Parker she loved, not this man.
“I will pack my things and take a room at the hotel,” he said. “You are no doubt eager to see the back of me, and I don’t blame you.”
