Page 47 of A Winter By the Sea
“You are cold. Forgive me. I shan’t keep you standing out here much longer. But allow me to say one more thing.”
She nodded, and he continued.
“Many young women break their hearts over unworthy men, but you will discover that you shall have more than one chance at love in this life. At least I have. Despite the mistakes of my past, this old soldier now has a much-beloved wife and daughter, and I am grateful.”
Again Emily nodded. What to say ...I am happy for you?Why should he care what she thought? She settled on “You are blessed indeed.”
“I am. And I hope you will be similarly blessed one day as well.”
She managed a small smile as he went on his way.
———
Emily had planned to go straight home, but after the strange encounter, she longed to talk to Viola. So she walked farther up Glen Lane and turned at Westmount’s wooded drive, her mind reeling from the duke’s platitudes to the strange woman’s prediction.
Had she lost Charles for good? Is that what the woman’s words meant? Was Emily soon to learn of his upcoming marriage to someone else? That would certainly break her heart. Was she destined to be unhappy always? A spinster? Or might they have a second chance, as His Royal Highness had said?
Reminding herself of Mrs. Denby’s admonition to have nothing to do with fortune-tellers, Emily tried to banish theimage of the woman’s eerie lined eyes, their inner corners yellow and veined.
Silently she prayed,Forgive me, Lord, for entertaining her words for even an instant.
Reaching Westmount, Emily pushed through the wrought iron gate and stepped under the porte cochère.
Major Hutton’s friend, Armaan Sagar, opened the door before she’d even knocked. “Good day, Miss Summers. I saw you on the drive. Come in out of the cold.”
“Thank you.” She stepped inside and then noticed how he was dressed. “Going riding?”
“With the major, yes, although I do not know where he is at present.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Perhaps he forgets or is busy.”
“Is my sister at home?”
He nodded. “In the sitting room, last I saw her.” He took Emily’s mantle and gestured down the passage. “Shall we go and see?”
“Yes, please. I am eager to speak to her.”
Together they walked to the sitting room, and he pushed open the door. There was Viola ... locked in the major’s embrace, kissing quite passionately.
Emily let out a squeak of surprise.
Armaan sent her a wry look, slowly shaking his head. “New-wed people.”
Noticing them, Viola immediately attempted to pull away, but the major only slowly, begrudgingly released her. He scowled at his friend and seemed about to curse, but seeing her, he refrained.
“Good day, Emily.”
“Jack. Sorry to ... intrude.”
“Ah well. Is that not what pesky little sisters do?” He winked at Emily, his sister by marriage.
She knew he expected her to tease back, but Emily barely managed a grin.
Viola gave her husband a playful push. “Now, go on your ride. Shoo.”
“If I must.”
When the men left, Emily looked back at her twin and found Viola studying her in concern.
“What’s wrong? Are you upset about something?”
