Page 108 of A Winter By the Sea
“I could accompany you, if that would be helpful.” He hesitated, then added, “Perhaps with one of your sisters as . . . companion.”
He’d meantchaperone, she knew. Was he trying to keep a distance between them, as she was, or simply concerned for her reputation?
Emily said, “Georgiana would be pleased for an outing, I’m sure. She is always chafing at being confined to the house.”
“I sympathize, and I would enjoy seeing more of the area myself. Where would we go first?”
We.What a weighty word. Again she told herself,Say no.No thank you. Ask Charles to accompanyyou instead.Although that would mean telling him she was working as a jobbing writer. Besides, Charles had gone to Exeter with his father.
“I was thinking of Otterton to start.”
He asked, “How far is that?”
“About three miles. Too far to walk in winter. Not to mention with steep Peak Hill between here and there.” Emily tapped her chin as she considered. “I could ask to borrow Major Hutton’s carriage. He has been exceedingly generous in lending it.”
“I have an idea,” James interjected. “Let me ask our head groom first. He was complaining just now about the duke’s horses needing exercise.”
“Really? Do you think he would allow it?”
He shrugged. “Won’t hurt to ask.”
Half an hour later, Mr. Thomson returned from Woolbrook and joined her in the library.
“Good news?” Emily asked.
He nodded. “The groom is happy to have an excuse to take out the horses, with the caveat that he will drive them himself, and he even requested that we take a different team the next time. That is, if there is a next time.”
“And a carriage?”
He nodded. “I doubted Captain Conroy would grant permission, so I asked General Wetherall. Going around Conroy will earn me another dose of the man’s vitriol, but it will be worth it, if it helps you.”
She smiled at him. “You are very kind.”
For a moment he simply looked at her, his gaze tracing her mouth, her cheeks, her eyes. Then he seemed to recall himself to the present. “What time shall we plan to depart?”
“As soon as possible.”
———
Emily told Georgiana that Mr. Thomson wished to see more of the surrounding area and asked her to go along. As expected, her adventurous sister eagerly agreed and went to change into warmer clothes.
Emily returned to the library to think about what to say to Mamma and Sarah. She considered telling them the same story, but in the end, her conscience would not allow the deception.
She found Sarah in Mamma’s room, the two going through some invoices and bills. Emily shut the door, took a deep breath, and broached the subject.
“I have asked Georgiana to accompany Mr. Thomson and me to Otterton and some other villages.”
“Yes, she was just in here, bubbling over with excitement at the thought of getting out of the house. Apparently Mr. Thomson is keen to see more of the area?”
Emily winced apologetically. “That is what I told her. She is a dear, but you know she can’t keep secrets.”
Mamma frowned. “Secrets? What sort of secrets? Tell me you and Mr. Thomson are not plotting something that will further break my heart.”
“No, Mamma! Of course not. Nothing like that. It’s just ... I think it’s best if we keep it quiet.”
“Keep what quiet?” Sarah asked, clearly wary.
Emily released a long sigh, relieved to be unburdening herself, while at the same time anxious about their reactions and the possibility that neither would approve.
